New York : Simon & Schuster, 2005
xix, 262 p. ; 22 cm.
After I read Rodriguez' memoir I told a friend that this book has one of the marks of great writing - it leaves you feeling disturbed, troubled and a little lost in that gray area between right and wrong. On one had, as a reader I felt such empathy for the main character, young Rodriguez - stuck as he is in a world of racism, poverty, run down schools, and violence (from peers, strangers and police) - but also as a reader there is something truly disturbing and repulsive about the violence and misogyny that he participates in. However unsettling the book, it is timely and important to read. We watch the main character make better and better choices as he opts to be a force for organizing change in his neighborhood as he grows and matures (and, importantly, is offered opportunities to be engaged in positive change).
A reader hoping to see mainly the hopeful and positive humanity of gang-involved youths will be disappointed; many of the characters in the world of Rodriguez' memoir ultimately chose a life of predation and violence. Likewise those looking to justify their belief in a punitive, zero tolerance law-and-order approach to youth and gang violence will also be disappointed; Rodriguez' journey from gang-banger to artist and community organizer passionately demonstrates that human beings can change for the better and leave behind violence and nihilism when they are treated with respect and love and have actual opportunities to better themselves.
I'm pleased to see that this book - originally published in 1993 - has been republished in 2005. In spite of this book being the frequent target of challenges (most books that don't offer black and white versions of morality are subject to controversy), it is a thoughtful and well written glimpse into the lives of young people growing up in social situations that no young person should have to navigate - so like many of our young people today.
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