Analysis Of The Unknown War: Gang Days In L. A By Luis Rodriguez

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The Unknown War Have you ever wondered why kids get into the gang lifestyle? Well, in the book Always Running La Vida Loca: Gang days in L.A. by Luis Rodriguez, he opens the eyes of readers about his life and what he experienced in the gang life. This book takes place during the 1960’s to 1970’s in Southeast Los Angeles. Rodriguez explains why kids get into this gang lifestyle, he states as a Mexican he was discriminated against at a young age. Also, living in a poverty area he was forced into the gang lifestyle for protection from the other gangs. The discrimination followed him throughout his life, like if they had big signs on their backs. He tells many stories about his gang life from the beginning to what ended it. This book is more than just gangs and the ugly truth about this unknown war people are currently fighting. They are fighting against other gangs, drugs, violence in the streets but, more importantly fighting to survive for a better life. Evaluating this book, I see kids going into gang life …show more content…

Rodriguez show a number of instances where he and often Mexicans are discriminated against in school. For example young boy sent him to stand in the back becauces they didnt know what to do with him“C track” the police at the beach “pray” they didnt have a voice lead them to to gangs. EXAMPLE The other factor is that the gang offered them protection they needed to stay alive in the hood. “YOU IN IT OR YOUR NOT”EXAMPLE. They were drawn into the gang life because people in gangs offered not only protection but a family, and power they wanted. It gives kids a sense of belonging and control over their own life. It is necessary tool to survive that is why many kids join the gangs. Throughout this book he explained that there is no functional system of these kids that have nothing better to do with their time. This affects kid’s way to get to the American