The differences between Luis and his brother Jose are now more apparent then ever. Jose was the trouble making kid that would get into fights and that would get beat up by the older kids. Now he is the success story and it seems in a way Luis has been left out. Now his brother is no longer even "Jose" his name is now "Joe".He became white washed but isn't that the plan all along? They came to the United States searching for the American dream, they have to realize that eventually the process would be having to adapt to the new cultures and customs. Nothing comes easy in this world and a lot of times to gain something you have to be willing to lose something that's important to you, in this case Rano not only gave away his roots but he gave away his name. Now it may seem bad or selfish but what other choice did he have? Keep his Mexican culture and stay in the barrio ? Become a gang member ? At this point being white washed and forgetting your roots is better than having your roots and being 6 feet under.
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
#3 always running
PG #42 "We didn't call ourselves gangs.We called ourselves clubs or clicas."
The diction that was used back when Luis was a kid is so innocent yet not at all. These "clicas" were created out of the want of power and fear of those with power. Luis explains that these groups were made for the protection of anyone in these groups. In essence it kept you from getting your ass handed to you by everyone else and let you kick someones ass anytime you felt like had to and had people watching your back. These gangs were made out of the fear and anger of young kids who grew up being neglected by the system. These gangs are made just so that they can finally be comfortable and not have someone to tell them ,"No."
The diction that was used back when Luis was a kid is so innocent yet not at all. These "clicas" were created out of the want of power and fear of those with power. Luis explains that these groups were made for the protection of anyone in these groups. In essence it kept you from getting your ass handed to you by everyone else and let you kick someones ass anytime you felt like had to and had people watching your back. These gangs were made out of the fear and anger of young kids who grew up being neglected by the system. These gangs are made just so that they can finally be comfortable and not have someone to tell them ,"No."
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Always Running #2
Pg:#34 Quote:"Mama turns to us and announces we are not leaving .I'm just a ball. Bouncing outside.Bouncing inside.Whatever"
This is probably some of my favorite personification and symbolism that Luis J. Rodriguez has used throughout his book thus far. So far Luis explains what it's like to be a poor Mexican boy in the Watts with a tough older brother and parents who are no more knowledgeable then the kids they have. The title "Always running", lines up perfectly with his comparison to the bouncing ball, his family is never quiet in a safe secure place emotionally nor physically. There has only been one time in my life where i felt like i bounced around a lot and that was when i was around 9 when i had moved back to California back from Texas and we had to stay with an aunt of mine for a while. we moved 3 more times in a period of time less than a year and a half. I always felt secure though, i never felt like i was losing out on something. It seems like Luis is missing out in a fair and stable life style, how can anyone thrive in these conditions?
This is probably some of my favorite personification and symbolism that Luis J. Rodriguez has used throughout his book thus far. So far Luis explains what it's like to be a poor Mexican boy in the Watts with a tough older brother and parents who are no more knowledgeable then the kids they have. The title "Always running", lines up perfectly with his comparison to the bouncing ball, his family is never quiet in a safe secure place emotionally nor physically. There has only been one time in my life where i felt like i bounced around a lot and that was when i was around 9 when i had moved back to California back from Texas and we had to stay with an aunt of mine for a while. we moved 3 more times in a period of time less than a year and a half. I always felt secure though, i never felt like i was losing out on something. It seems like Luis is missing out in a fair and stable life style, how can anyone thrive in these conditions?
Monday, September 19, 2016
Always Running #1
Pg. # 23 "These were the familiar aromas: the funky earth, animal and mechanical smells which were absent from the homes my mother cleaned."
The reoccurring cliche story of the tough Mexican-American story shows its face again. I like the story , its very real. I just do not like how its so cliche, no matter what his family does it gets worse and worse. A lot of their mistakes its because of their ignorance, and its not their fault but its the truth. It's not just their ignorance either its the white people in this book who believe that , Mexicans are lesser people. It upsets me , because i believe i am just as capable as any person I've met in my life, how can they just take of this and not fight back? I don't think i can relate to this story very well because i consider myself an American of Mexican descent. I am American, i was born in America, on American soil, my blood may be Mexican, but my soul is American.
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