Luis J. Rodriguez

Luis Javier Rodriguez
Born
Luis Javier Rodriguez

1954 (age 69–70)
El Paso, Texas, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Occupations
  • Poet
  • politician
  • author
Known forAlways Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A.
Political partyGreen
Other political
affiliations		Justice
Los Angeles Poet Laureate
In office
2014–2015

Luis Javier Rodriguez (born 1954) is an American poet, novelist, journalist, critic, and columnist. He was the 2014 Los Angeles Poet Laureate.[1] Rodriguez is recognized as a major figure in contemporary Chicano literature,[2] identifying himself as a native Xicanx writer.[3] His best-known work, Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A., received the Carl Sandburg Literary Award and has been controversial on school reading lists for its depictions of gang life.

The founder and co-founder of nonprofit organizations including Tía Chucha's Centro Cultural,[4][5][6] Rodriguez has been active in politics. Rodriguez was the 2012 vice-presidential nominee of the Justice Party.[7] In 2014, Rodriguez ran as the Green Party of California's candidate for Governor of California[8][9] and received 66,872 votes (1.5 percent of the vote) in the June primary.[10] He ran again as candidate in the 2022 California gubernatorial election, endorsed by the Green Party and the Peace and Freedom Party.

  1. ^ Kellogg, Carolyn (2014-10-09). "A new L.A. poet laureate was announced Thursday by Mayor Garcetti: bestselling author Luis J. Rodriguez". LA Times. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  2. ^ Tatum, Charles M. (2006). Chicano and Chicana Literature: Otra Voz Del Pueblo. University of Arizona Press. pp. 99–100. ISBN 9780816524273.
  3. ^ "Author Luis J. Rodriguez "From Our Land to Our Land"". Los Angeles Times. 5 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Full Biography for Luis J. Rodriguez". www.smartvoter.org. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
  5. ^ Moore, Jina "Books were salvation for L.A. gangbanger". Christian Science Monitor. 2009-09-07. Retrieved 2014-05-27.
  6. ^ Sanchez, George B. "Tia Chucha's celebrates new location in Sylmar". Dailynews.com. 2009-03-28. Retrieved 2014-05-27.
  7. ^ Gehrke, Robert (July 17, 2012). "Rocky picks activist-author as his VP running mate". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  8. ^ Schwab, Dave (July 19, 2013). "Luis Rodriguez announces Green campaign for Governor of California". Green Party Watch. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  9. ^ "Redefining Democracy in California: An Interview With Luis Rodriguez". Truthout. 2014-05-28. Retrieved 2014-05-31.
  10. ^ California Statewide Election Results (June 4, 2014) Governor - Statewide Results. Archived 2014-06-05 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 6-4-2014.)