Luis J. 2014 Rodriguez for Governor

rodriguezforgovernor.org

CJYO Mini-Memoir Project: Gliding Through, Fall 2013

 "Gliding Through, Changing a Life One Jump at a Time"

Below is an excerpt from the exceptional memoir by Sandra Pelko, CJYO student from the Fall semester of 2013.  The chapter reflects on Mrs. Pelko's definition of social change and how it relates to the background of her story and work as a mentor through ice skating in the Sun City.

SOCIAL CHANGE
“We must become the change we wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Ghandi

Social issues and social changes are something that is a normal thing about society. Author Luis Rodriguez, was a product of society and spent his life trying to adapt overcome social change. From when he was a young boy his family was a victim of social injustice. They were part of poverty and gang violence. I am fortunate enough to say that I was not a part of poverty of major social issues. However , I did have family members who had their run-ins with the law and became a part of the social problems that we now face, such as poverty, gangs, drugs, teenage pregnancy and child neglect and abuse to name a few. Luis Rodriguez talks about his struggles as a child through adulthood as well as the struggles of his family. In his books he always mentions mentors, people who helped him attain social change, in his case the name of his mentor was a man named Chente. I believe everyone has an opportunity to change their situation, but there needs to be a person who cares enough to guide them into the right light. Many times it not only takes a person but it also takes the resources to create a social change. I am a believer if you give some of these troubled people or kids the right tools or lead them to a proper environment you could make a difference. For example for kids in a bad neighborhood, if you provide a safe place for them to go and give them activities to keep them out of trouble you can keep one or two of them from falling in to what could be called social problem. If more people cared and became involved in their local community they could achieve social change. There are different ways to make others aware of social problems and there are several ways make a difference. Luis Rodriguez’s approach was to share his own story with others. By writing about his own life and his struggles he was also able to talk about his story and help others. He was able to make a difference when he went to jails to talk to others that had become society outcasts. Others that heard his stories not only heard the stories but they heard hope. They realize that there are people that care about them and there are others like them that found change. I may not have the street stories but I what I have is the ability to show the kids I work with that they are special. Some start with me with no self-esteem or confidence in themselves and I just give them the tools and the knowledge to change that in them. I have accomplished to change these kids from falling into the track. With each spin, footwork and each jump, I showed them how to land cleanly and if the fall I teach them they just need to get back up and keep going. This is how in my way I am helping these kids not become social statistics and in turn they can later help others be better people.

-Sandra Pelko

Inspiring NMSU Students Overcome Obstacles to Reach Fall Graduation

Article: click here

Las Cruces Sun News

Congratulations to NMSU graduates and grads from all over!

This article comes at a time when CJ students of CJYO 2013 have just submitted their mini-memoir projects discussing their journeys towards higher education and status as justice majors.  

Great story!

Maria Rivera, CJYO Mini-Memoir Project

A quote included on Maria Rivera's memoir titled I am who I am... Criminal Justice & Youth Outreach, Connecting Memoir to Social Change, Fall 2013.

I Am a Mother Poem by Angélica Dorado Pérez

The following poem is by Angélica Dorado Pérez included on the Dedication page of her memoir developed during the Fall semester of 2013 titled Tremendo Orgullo de Una Mujer Latina.

Ms. Pérez dedicates her memoir to her daughters, Jacquelyn and Catalina whom she describes as the "inspiration to strive for a better life." 

The Discipline of Week 11: CJYO Quote Fall 2013 - LJR

"...our battles must also demonstrate how the technology can expand everyone's art, story, image, and truth into a multitude of endless possibilities... To accomplish all of this involves self-discipline.  In essence, ritual and expression through the arts help pull everyone into the rhythms of the universe, into the inner workings of all nature, from the minute to the most massive aspects, from the DNA imprint in our genes to the massive whorl of galaxies.  Once we tap into the interacting push and pull of complementary energies, we begin to put ourselves in accord with the world, into the timeless patterns and root formulas that ignite all life, and thus restore the power within each of us to better such a world." 

'The Way of Discipline', Chapter 20
Stretching Out Your Life, Part Three
Hearts & Hands, Creating Community in Violent Times
by Luis Rodriguez

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Week 10 Discussion CJYO 2013 / Student Quotes

Helena Maria Viramontes

Responding to our discussion of It Calls You Back and the Los Angeles Latino Writer's Association referenced in Chapter 8*

Quote by Christina Montes / CJYO 2013 Student

"Helena’s speech was awesome. After having heard her speak I would really love to read some of her writings. She is so much like Rodriguez in many ways. As I was listening to her speak I remembered the interview that I had read that was done with Rodriguez where he was asked why he began writing and he talks about how he wrote Always Running for his son, because he wanted him to hear the truth about that path he was headed towards. He never realized the impact his stories would have on the life of so many others as well as in his own life. That’s exactly what Helena was saying when she thought “what can I offer im only a writer” But then she realized she had an obligation to give these women a voice, these women who just did what they did out of pure love. She too went back to where she came from to be able to write these stories and truths that no one seemed to acknowledge or recognize and that was what Rodriguez did. They both went back to a time that was familiar to them and told those stories, those truths and in the process they gave voices to those people who otherwise may never have been heard."