The family of Luis Rodriguez, like many Mexican Americans in the border regions from the 1950’s to the 1960’s, faced much disparity in the social and economic realm of their new homes and communities. Living in the United States, they believed, would allow for growth and opportunities not possible in Mexico. In their quests to lead a better life, the heads of many households had to work hard and long hours in order for the sustainment of their livelihood and in Luis Rodriguez’s case, both of his parents worked long and hard hours. Rodriguez’s parents wanted better for their family, but their journey to Los Angeles would forever change the trajectory of the life they envisioned for their family and, namely, for Luis Rodriguez. Born in El Paso, Texas, the Rodriguez family moved back and forth between the border and the region of Chihuahua, Mexico. It was typical for back and forth migration to occur in the border regions during this time. When Luis was still young, his family immigrated to the United States and moved to the Watts neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. Because of the lack of work and low wages given to Mexican …show more content…
Luis lacked a sense of belonging which caused him to seek refuge in the “community” and “protectiveness” of gang life. Gang life offered him a way to finally have a sense of power and control because he felt powerless. He would steer away from those where he felt viewed him with judgment and his sense of abandonment from his parents caused him to become untrusting of most adults. By his teens he was deep into heavy drugs and alcohol. Despite the hardness he developed in the streets and as a member of a gang, he remained fearful deep inside where no one else could