Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFormer gang member cautions against violence
By Jackie Saunders
Posted: 4/4/06, 11:56 PM EST Section: Pulp
"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."
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."
