Luis J. Rodriguez – Poet/Activist

We are thrilled to welcome back Luis J. Rodriguez, poet/author/activist and former Los Angeles Poet Laureate from 2014 to 2016. We discuss the Always Running festival, which is named after his well-known book Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A. Since our last interview, Luis has been traveling with his wife Trini for poetry readings and speaking engagements around the world. Currently, he is working on a script with Freddy Negrete based on the true story of the killing of David Dominguez, a gang member, by San Gabriel ex-cop Billy Joe McIlvain.

We also touch on a project that Luis was involved in with John Leguizamo, though unfortunately it was not completed. One of the most heartbreaking topics we discuss is the growing homeless population in Los Angeles and how expensive housing is causing many people to leave the city or move to Mexico. Take a listen to this insightful conversation with an accomplished author and activist.

In addition to being a novelist, memoirist, short story writer, children’s book writer, and essayist, Luis is also a poet. He is also known as a mentor, healer, youth and arts advocate, community and urban peace activist, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

And if you find yourself in the Los Angeles area, be sure to visit Tia Chucha Bookstore and Cultural Center.

Luis J. Rodriguez – Biography

He has 16 books in all genres (poetry, children’s books, fiction, and nonfiction), including the best-selling memoir, “Always Running, La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A.” His latest memoir is the sequel, “It Calls You Back: An Odyssey Through Love, Addiction, Revolutions, and Healing.” His last poetry book is 2016’s “Borrowed Bones” from Curbstone Books/Northwestern University Press. In 2020, Seven Stories Press released his first book of essays, “From Our Land to Our Land: Essays, Journeys & Imaginings from a Native Xicanx Writer.”

Among his many awards and fellowships, in 2022 Luis was given a California Arts Council Legacy Fellowship and a Los Angeles Times’ Robert Kirsch Lifetime Achievement Award.

Luis is founding editor of Tia Chucha Press, now for over 30 years, and more than 20 years ago he co-founded with his wife Trini Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore in the San Fernando Valley. He has traveled across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, Europe, and Japan to speak, do poetry readings, indigenous ceremonies, or reportage over the past 40 years. This includes prisons, jails, and juvenile lockups in around 20 U.S. states, as well as Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Argentina, Italy, and England. Dedicated to his indigenous roots and Native American spirituality, Luis has a Mexika name: Mixcoatl Itztlacuiloh. With his wife Trini (Tlazohteotl) he has a podcast called “The Hummingbird Cricket Hour”–http://hchpodcast.libsyn.com/

Luis is dedicated to a clean, balanced, abundant, cooperative, healing world. No more capitalist private property relations, exploitation, war, or inequities. “In essential things, unity; in nonessential things, liberty. In all things compassion.”

Listen to episode

Always Running – La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A. by Luis J. Rodriguez

The Concrete River: Poems by Luis J Rodriguez

Tia Chucha Bookstore & Cultural Center

Freddy Negrete: Smile Now, Cry Later

Good Cop or Bad Cop? The Story of Billy Joe McIlvain and the Murder of David Dominguez

 

Poetry and Social Media

Inspire Me Series Book 1 & 2 PoetryAs a poet, I struggle with promoting my work on social media, but here are some tips that I hope will be helpful to you and me both. Social media has become a crucial tool for poets to showcase their poetry and connect with a wider audience. What was once seen as a solitary art form is now thriving online, with popular platforms like Instagram, X, Facebook and other platforms are being used by poets and readers alike.

For marginalized communities in particular, social media has provided a platform to amplify their voices and share their experiences through the unique medium of poetry. From poets of color to LGBTQ+ poets, these platforms have created a sense of community and support for those whose voices have long been silenced.

But it’s not just about sharing poems; social media has also completely changed the way poets promote their work. By utilizing hashtags and creating visually appealing content, poets can reach a larger audience and connect with readers from around the world. The popularity of Instagram has also given rise to visual poetry, allowing poets to present their work in new and creative ways.

However, social media is not only a promotional tool – it also allows poets to interact with their audience. By sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses into their writing process and engaging in discussions about their work, poets can build a strong online presence and cultivate a dedicated fan base who will help spread their work through likes, shares, and retweets.

So, for any poets out there looking to promote their work, don’t underestimate the power of social media. Embrace these platforms, interact with your audience, and share your poetry with the world. With some strategic thinking and creativity, social media can take your poetry to new heights and attract new readers.

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