More Information About Luis J. Rodriguez Biographical Information: Luis J. Rodriguez was born on the U.S./Mexico border in 1954 and is of Mexika/Raramuri indigenous descent. At the age of two, his family migrated to Los Angeles, where they settled in South Central LA. Later, at around age 8, the family moved to the San Gabriel Valley. In the 1960s and 1970s, Luis was an active street gang member in the East Los Angeles area, documented in his book Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A. He joined a gang at age 11 and began using drugs at age 12. He dropped out of high school at age 15 and was also kicked out of his home, eventually becoming homeless until he returned to live in the familys garage. From ages 13 to 18, he was arrested for numerous crimes, including stealing, fighting, rioting, attempted murder, and assaulting police officers. Around that time, he also participated in the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, including the 1968 East LA School Blowouts and the Chicano Moratorium against the Vietnam War of August 29, 1970. In addition, in 1972 Luis painted several murals in the Rosemead/South San Gabriel communities. He eventually finished high school, becoming leader of the Chicano student organization there and leading several school walkouts. From 1972-73, Luis briefly attended Cal State College, Los Angeles and became active in MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan), becoming MEChA organizer for East LA high schools.
At age 18, Luis faced a six-year prison sentence and was using heavy drugs, including heroin. After support from members of the community, who wrote letters on his behalf, Luis was given a lesser conviction and a county jail term. Feeling responsible for the people who rallied to his defense, Luis turned away from the Crazy Life and dedicated himself to conscious revolutionary thinking and activity, expanding his organizing efforts to other parts of East LA as well as Watts/South Central LA, LAs Harbor area and Pasadena. He also got off drugs at age 19, cold turkey, again with help. However, he was unable to continue his college courses and he began work in foundries, construction sites, and refineries, including four years at the Bethlehem Steel Mill in Maywood. During that period, he also worked as a truck driver, a school bus driver, a carpenter, and janitor. | |
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