Blog # 8
Always Running
In chapter of Always Running by Luis Rodriguez, begins with Luis in jail for, non-fatally, shooting a man. Again, conflicting influences have Luis in a precarious situation, but he has established a support system through his community involvement, and begrudged legalities keep him from long-term incarceration. After his release, Chente offers Luis an opportunity to oversee mural paintings, and Luis becomes a significant figure in establishing and maintaining peace between the area’s rival gangs. As he is juggling mediation among rival gangs, bifurcated student populations, and his own loyalties/emotions, Luis gains recognition for his writing.   Mrs. Baez, the teacher who oversees the Hispanic club at Luis’s school, offers him an opportunity to be published. She edited Luis’s work and submitted it to several contests. Luis won scholarship money for his writing and painting, and was put in charge of painting and writing projects.