Always Running By Luis Rodriguez Life Lessons

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Life Lessons Found in Fiction Many people neglect to distinguish the true value of reading a fictional novel. Fiction grants the reader the aptitude to voyage alongside the main character and accompany them on their journey, whilst uncovering the life lessons the story has to contribute. Along with the incredible dexterity to grasp the reader’s attention and implement the main ideas and concepts, one can learn the gravity of social issues in our society today. Likewise, it can influence the reader’s behavior for the better. Similar to the life lessons administered, in the novel Always Running by Luis J. Rodriguez, it deals with one of the greatest concerns in our society today, gangs and the violence and hardships that accompany it. Thus, …show more content…

Due to his struggles and desire to fit into society, Luis finds himself consumed by gangs and associates himself along with them. At first his new lifestyle is nothing more than doing drugs and a handful of frivolous felonies with his friends, but as he ventures through this new course, he begins to realize the dangers that shadow what he is becoming. As a result of the police brutality, racism, gang violence, and hardships he witnesses, his perspective on society changes. He commences to distance himself from the crowd and begins to question whether he wants to pursue this path. Luis then considers a life where he is making a difference not only for himself, but for others around him as well. Furthermore, this novel along with many other fictional novels, presents the reader with a broader aspect on life that many articles can’t …show more content…

In “The Real Truth- Gang Life in America”, by James F. Pastor, he claims that one can find himself growing up into the gang lifestyle from a very young age. Pastor states, “...it starts as mere child’s play. A toddler’s tiny hands grow into tattoo-marked fingers depicting gang signs—such as an upside-down pitchfork or a “K” for killer. A lullaby morphs into vulgar “gangsta” rap about sex, drugs and guns. Learning ABCs changes into mastering special slang words with hidden messages. Childish scribbles hanging on a refrigerator become city walls covered in lewd graffiti.”, by expressing this he is attempting to convey the ease in which a child from a struggling neighborhood can become tomorrow's next thief and murderer. Gangs have many attractions that may tempt one to join and become part of this lifestyle, but at what cost? One may feel compelled to interlace with gangs because they may not have a family, but by insinuating this lifestyle one can endanger those who are, or who will ever be close to them. Gangs may seem that they supply a place where one can fit in and be protected, but all they are really doing is putting their life on the line for an unworthy cause. Additionally, this serves as yet another example of why it is important to be informed of the problems that face our society

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