Los Angeles Times Celebrates L.A. Poet Laureate Luis J. Rodríguez as His Term Nears Completion

Danielle Brazell, general manager of Los Angeles's Department of Cultural Affairs, describes Luis J. Rodríguez as an inspiration to "vibrant communities across L.A." Now city residents are singing the outgoing poet laureate's praises. Via Los Angeles Times:

The poet laureate of Los Angeles had just taken a seat at a Pacoima cafe when he was approached by two young men.

“Excuse me, but are you Luis Rodriguez?” asked Jorge Ruiz, who was with his brother, Giovanni.

A clerk had pointed out the author of “Always Running, La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A.,” Rodriguez’s powerful story of how he descended into gang life and then rose out of it through a love of books. The 1993 memoir became an L.A. classic and launched a career, and the two youngsters were determined to meet the author.

“That was the first book I ever read,” said Ruiz, who was unabashedly star-struck. “I just had to say thank you.”

The Ruiz brothers, students at Los Angeles Valley College, said they read “Always Running” several years ago in middle school.

“Honestly, I always hated reading,” said Jorge, who changed his ways after devouring that book. “Wow, I was blinded for so long, what a shame.”

Rodriguez, author of 15 books, hears this sort of thing frequently from admirers. He thanked the Ruiz brothers and wished them luck, and a few minutes later it was time for him to go to work. The celebrated writer is still always running, his passion and prose an inspiration to hordes of local readers and writers, me included.

Rodriguez, 62, was chosen for the two-year appointment in October of 2014 by Mayor Eric Garcetti. He is the city’s second poet laureate, a job that offers a tiny stipend in return for roughly 20 public events and a handful of other duties each year. Rodriguez wanted to go above and beyond.

“Last year I did 110,” he said. “I haven’t counted all of the events this year, but it’s more than that.”

Danielle Brazell, general manager of the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs, called Rodriguez a social justice poet and said that “in countless appearances, he inspired vibrant communities across L.A.”

Read about his impact at Los Angeles Times.