What makes writers' favorite memoir on the Ultimate L.A. Bookshelf Luis J. Rodriguez's 'Always Running'? It's a personal story that aims to save us all, writes Times columnist GustavoArellano
. But what hit harder in Rodriguez’s memoir was when the youth community centers opened with grants during the Johnson administration turned into drug dens once the money dried up.
“Always Running” is the literary companion to Mike Davis’ “City of Quartz,” published three years earlier. But while we all rightfullyTo paraphrase Sinclair’s bitter riposte about the success of his 1906 exposé of Chicago’s slaughterhouses, “The Jungle,” Rodriguez aimed for L.A.’s brain, and by accident he hit it in the heart.
Even well-meaning fans do this. They’ll cite Rodriguez’s admission that he wrote “Always Running” as a warning to his son as proof that its intended audience was exclusively young men. But “Always Running” is hardly nihilistic or dour. While the gang violence in the book gets most of the attention, we need to finally listen to the salvation he offered to us all.Luis J. Rodriguez on his new book, ‘From Our Land to Our Land’; his experience as L.A.
The most inspiring passages to my adult eyes are when mentors channel Rodriguez’s teenage rage into community action — walkouts, youth sports, protests, organizing. The story reaches a climax during a tense student assembly at Mark Keppel High in Alhambra, Rodriguez’s alma mater.
“This is not against whites,” Luis said to his fellow students. “It’s against a system that keeps us all under its thumb. By screwing us, the school is screwing you.”When I finished “Always Running,” I realized the memoir wasn’t finished; Rodriguez’s decades-long witness to the depths and heights of his life are its continuation. Authors tend to write memoirs to look back from the better place they now occupy. Rodriguez wrote it knowing he wasn’t there just yet.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
The Ultimate LA Bookshelf: Mystery & CrimeThe 13 most essential L.A. crime books — from Chandler, Hughes, Mosley and Ellroy to Steph Cha and Ivy Pochoda, with some 'Helter Skelter' in between.
Lire la suite »
The Ultimate L.A. Bookshelf: NonfictionThe 14 most essential works of nonfiction include histories by Kevin Starr, Carey McWilliams, Reyner Banham and, ruling them all, Mike Davis' 'City of Quartz.'
Lire la suite »
The Ultimate L.A. Bookshelf: PoetryThe 14 most essential L.A. poems or poetry collections, including those by Wanda Coleman, Robin Coste Lewis, Sesshu Foster, Bukowski, Brecht and more.
Lire la suite »
There is no 'Ultimate L.A. Bookshelf': a critic's requiem for all the forgotten booksAuthor and Ultimate Bookshelf contributing editor David Kipen digs for treasure in a bibliography of L.A. fiction — and celebrates the 'ghost novels.'
Lire la suite »
How Katy Perry Scored the Ultimate Cool Mom Points With Her ToddlerMom duty doesn't stop for Katy Perry -- even while on the job in paradise!
Lire la suite »
Succession Ending Cox's Logan Roy Run The Ultimate in Method ActingICYMI: BrianCox (LoganRoy) has been vocal about his lack of patience for MethodActing but, in a way, he will be doing precisely that from now on as HBO's Succession wraps up its run. Opinion / HBOMax
Lire la suite »