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