Former gang member cautions against violence

By: Jackie Saunders

Posted: 4/5/06

In the jail cell next to Charles Manson, 16-year-old Luis Rodriguez prayed his

eyes did not show fear. If he showed fear, he knew would be dead.

Once living a violent and harsh life as a gang member in Los Angeles, writer and urban activist Rodriguez spoke in Hendricks Chapel last night as a part of the University Lecture Series. Discussing the topics of his latest book, "Hearts and Hands: Creating Community in Violent Times," Rodriguez actively engaged his audience on the topics of youth violence and creating a community.

Best known for his 1993 memoir on gang life, "Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A.," Rodriguez has immense social consciousness and urges his audience to examine our own actions and how they affect children.

"I don't care about race, religion or class," Rodriguez said. "We can all come together and agree that what we need to address the well-being of our children."

Despite three cancellations of his flight to Syracuse, Rodriguez was able to visit local elementary schools and plans on visiting every high school before he flies back home. Having written his 1993 memoir as a cautionary tale for his 15-year-old son who joined a Chicago gang, Rodriguez has a special place in his heart for children.

Concern for children is seen through Rodriguez's questioning of the current education system in America. In particular, standardized testing and robot-like teaching methods pose a problem for Rodriguez.

"We can't have standardized testing because there is no such thing as standardized child," Rodriguez said. "I have never seen a standardized kid. Have you?"

Believing education has strayed far from its initial purpose, Rodriguez discussed that children cannot be seen as empty vessels. Stressing the natural inquisitiveness of children, he believes we must draw the knowledge from the children and go back to the roots of education.

Esther Gray, coordinator of University Lectures, recognizes Rodriguez's ability to reach children and teenagers.

"He isn't a preacher," Gray said. "He can move easily from addressing kids to addressing adults. He was like the Pied Piper in the elementary schools."

Rodriguez addressed insularity in people's views by opening his discussion with a few pieces of poetry to create a sense of unity in the audience.

"Poetry, like song and prayer, open up our secret space so we can begin to talk," Rodriguez said.

Creating a community involves dropping our guards and extending our hands, according to Rodriguez, who wanted to discuss some controversial topics such as war and the effect on America's youth.

Seeing the effects of the Vietnam War on young veterans in his neighborhood, Rodriguez made a connection to the rise in gang violence in Los Anegeles. He discussed wars as "the great drive-bys," which were common occurrences in his youth.

"We are taught to dehumanize the other gang members when we get revenge," Rodriguez said. "We convinced each other they didn't have mothers who will cry, families or girlfriends."

Rodriguez believes that by resorting to violence while engaged in gang warfare is the main reason he lost his imagination. After his arsenal of rifles, guns and knives were stolen from his home, Rodriguez admitted he was angry but he didn't replace them.

Finding his cause in art and words, Rodriguez uses language as a powerful tool to spread his ideas and reach audiences who are willing to hear his message.

Nelson Figueroa, a sophomore political philosophy and sociology major, recognized the effects of Rodriguez's words.

"The emotion and the real testimonies he used in his message were powerful," Figueroa said. "Without that voice, he wouldn't be able to reach out to as many people."