Luis J. Rodriguez visited the school on Sept. 26 to speak about his inspirational life story as well as his memoir, ‘Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A’ in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, a month that aims to combat negative stereotypes surrounding Hispanic people.
“My youth consisted of streets and violence, which eventually got me into prison,” said Rodriguez.
National Hispanic Heritage Month takes place every year from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 in the United States. Many successful and exceptional Hispanics have been invited to the school to speak to students bringing much inspiration and hope, including Rodriguez.
“Writing is my life, it means everything to me,” Rodriguez said.
Growing up in a gang, Rodriguez’s lifestyle consisted of things that made him unhappy and unfulfilled. He felt he had no other way out and he soon fell into the negative stereotypes he heard about his race repeatedly.
“I wanted to join the journalism class, but I was told no,” said Rodriguez. “[I was told] Industrial arts were where the Mexicans were going.”
Throughout his presentation, Rodriguez explained how he was discriminated against in school several times. Soon, he found himself in jail, and felt like a failure. However, he never gave up and pursued his passion in writing though he never had any support from the adults around him.
“I started writing [in jail],” said Rodriguez. “I had no weapons, no way to protect myself, all I had was poetry.”
While in jail, he started to write poetry, which eventually gave him another reason to live life the way he wanted to. He was able to become clean of violence and alcohol, and now lives a steady life writing and helping others that are in a similar situation.
“Poetry has saved my life more than once,” Rodriguez said.
Although Rodriguez’s life was hard, especially growing up in a gang, writing was what saved him, and he chose to share his story to help others too.
“That’s why I decided to create my own book ‘Always Running’, among many others,” said Rodriguez. “Now my wife and I are co-founders of Trini Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore in San Francisco Valley.”
His first book was released in 1993 and he continues to write to this day, inspiring people around the globe. He decided to lead by example and open a non-profit cultural center which doubles as a bookstore in Simi Valley. Rodriguez’s presentation left students feeling empowered and gave them a new perspective on their lives, as he expresses relief that he was able to break out of the stereotypes he believes society presses upon Hispanics. At the end of his presentation, he noted that the system cannot save anyone, but power lies within oneself.
“Nobody can save you,” Rodriguez said. “you save yourself.”