East Side Stories: Gang Life in East L.A. [Paperback]

Joseph Rodriguez (Author), Ruben Martinez (Author), Luis J. Rodriguez (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

In his interview, Luis Rodríguez explains that the demonization and false glorification of gang life has done much disservice to the termination of gang activity, activity which he defines as "90% boredom." What's the key to reducing gang violence and improving inner-city lives? To the dissolution of jail time as a right of passage? Part of the solution lies in providing better education, in teachers able to tap into and help direct the overlooked creativity of inner-city communities. A great responsibility lies, as well, in a national understanding and support for communities bound by poverty, and in encouraging people to work together to help people work for themselves.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

We've heard about drive-by shootings and territorial battles in the news. "East Side Stories" brings the code, the lives, the words, and the hope of actual gang members to light in this stunning collection of essays, photographs, and an interview of ex-gang member Luis Rodriguez, now the author of five books and the recipient of several major awards. The labyrinthine rules and codes of gang life are examined and explained, while intimate photographs of "gang bangers" in their homes and with their families put a human face on what is, for many of us, just another story in the afternoon newspaper.

Luis Rodriguez explains in his interview that the demonization and false glorification of gang life has done much disservice to the termination of gang activity, activity which he defines as "90% boredom." What's the key to reduction of gang violence and improvement of inner-city lives, to the dissolution of prisons as a right of passage? Part of the solution lies in providing better education by informed and supportive teachers who are able to tap into the overlooked creativity in inner-city communities. And a great part lies in nationally understanding and supporting communities bound by poverty, and encouraging people to work together to help people work for themselves. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Rodriguez, a freelance photographer whose work has appeared in Life, among other publications, traveled to Los Angeles in 1992 to try to understand?and convey to the public?the complexities behind the screaming headlines of gangland killings. His photographs of life in East-Side barrios as well as South Central neighborhoods often feature the expected guns and small groups of young men posing for the camera. But just as often the reader sees fathers with their children and other family groups, illuminating the innumerable lives that surround the gang experience. Excerpts from Rodriguez's journal bring the people to life, and Martinez's fluid, anecdotal essay on the trials of average people's lives in recent years in especially clear and moving. Only the photographer's interview with Luis Rodriguez (Always Running: La Vida Loca, Curbstone, 1993) disappoints with its impersonal rambling. A fine addition to the growing literature on gang life that belongs in photojournalism as well as subject collections; for larger public libraries.?Eric Bryant, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: powerHouse Books (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576870723
• ISBN-13: 978-1576870723
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.5 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #729,040 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Same Neighborhood, January 3, 2000

By 

Catherine (East Los Angeles,Ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: East Side Stories: Gang Life in East LA (Hardcover)

I live in East L.A., and I know two of the young guys that were in the book. This is what life for us is really like.Im 19, and the guys that came out in the book are around 22 now. I think that this guy has come a really long way and hopefully when he looks back at this book he will realize that he has turned into a better and smarter person.The author has my support in whatever he does. To come here to the neighborhood and write about what goes on in here is opening society's eyes to the everyday struggles and pressures that our young Chicano men have to go through. Behind every picture that Joseph has taken there is a story,and the people that live through it are the authors. I am sure that Joseph has some how helped these guys, because when I first met Porky the first thing he told me was that Pony and him had came out in a book!I think that this book should be updated and see how everyone is doing now.I recommend this book to anyone that wants to see some of the hardships of life.Pony died after this book was made but his smile and memory are always with me.When you see his face in this book don't think of it as another gang member, but as someone who was sill a kid that got caught up in the gang life.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellant portrayal of gang life., April 23, 1999

By 

"v--c" - See all my reviews

This review is from: East Side Stories: Gang Life in East LA (Hardcover)

Mr. Rodriguez does a masterful job of showing the reader the very human side of people who are traditionally depicted as inhumane animals. I lost somebody very close to me to gang violence, I myself grew up in such a setting. Mr. Rodriguez not only offers hope for the people who are in the barrio, but for people who do not live in the barrio he offers an understanding of the pathology behind gangs. Ultimately the author is able to show us that "gang" kids are America's kids, and the way to help them is not to ignore them, or lock them up, but to show them love, understanding, and a way out.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IT WAS GREAT, April 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: East Side Stories: Gang Life in East LA (Hardcover)

PROPS LUIS FOR FINNALY TELLING IT LIKE IT IS. FINALLY SOMEONE SHOWED HOW HARD IT IS FOR US LATINOS TO LIVE IN THE GHETTOS.TO ALL WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT IS LIKE TO LIVE DOWN AT THE GHETTOS YOU ALL NEED TO READ THIS. GANGS ARE EVERYONES PROBLEM AND SOONER OR LATER IS GOING TO REACH PEOPLE THAT THINK THERE KIDS WOULDN'T GET INVOLVE. LUIS TELLS IT LIKE IT IS. I KNOW WHAT IS LIKE I LIVE IN CHI-TOWN AND EVEN DO I AIN'T IN CALIFAS, I KNOW WHAT IS LIKE. I'VE SEEN MY FRIENDS GET KILLED, SHOT AND JUMPED. THIS BOOK IS GREAT TO WHOEVER WANTS TO KNOW HOW IT REALLY GOES DOWN IN THE BARRIO.