“Gangs have always existed - they are primarily a community a young men trying to find intensity, meaning, a path to the outer world (outside of home) that most tribal groupings addressed with rituals, rites of passage, initiation ceremonies. We’ve lost this knowledge as a culture.” MenWorldTryingHomeYoungCultureLostCommunityPathYoung ManRitualIntensityPassagesCeremonyGangRiteInitiationOuter WorldsRite Of Passage Author:Luis J. Rodriguez
“Gangs exist when there are lots of empties in a person, in family, in community. It points out how we need to do more to bring real art, passions, teachings, caring, and resources into the emptiness of young peoples' lives.” NeedsPersonsArtRealYoungPassionCommunityTeachingResourcesCaringEmptinessGang Author:Luis J. Rodriguez
“If young people had love, hope, true education, the arts, full and meaningful lives they won’t join gangs. My life since living the gang and drugs has been directed to making positive what it means to be Chicano, human, man, woman, and on how to draw out the imagination and creativity that all people have.” PeopleIfsMenHumansMeanHas BeensArtYoungImaginationCreativityDrugDrawsLeavingMeaningfulGangMen WomenMeaningful LifeImagination And CreativityTrue EducationHope Love Author:Luis J. Rodriguez
“We [people] all need each other. Gangs do try to fill that void - but they can't do what healthy, balanced, and coherent families and communities can do. Let's strengthen our core relationships from the start - and all the way through a young person's life. This is the best way to avoid the growth of deadly and crime-involved gangs.” PeopleWayNeedsTryingPersonsYoungGrowthCan DoCommunityCrimeInvolvedHealthyCoreBest WayVoidBalancedGang Author:Luis J. Rodriguez
“I'm not really anti-gang - I was a gang member and so was my son. I'm pro-youth, pro-community, pro-family, pro-arts, and pro-peace.” ArtCommunityYouthSonMembersMy SonGangGang Members Author:Luis J. Rodriguez
“To go against gangs or drugs is meaningless unless this is mostly done by filling in the empties, the vacuums, and stop the neglect and harm we do as detached, mean, irresponsible adults and communities. The answer is in our hands.” MeanDoneHandsCommunityAnswersDrugAdultsHarmNeglectMeaninglessFillingGangVacuumsIrresponsibleDetachedFilling In Author:Luis J. Rodriguez
