Gilroy
–
”
We work with kids who don’t think their worthy of having a
writer come and visit them,
”
said Marina Campos, English teacher at Mount Madonna
Continuation High School.
Gilroy – “We work with kids who don’t think their worthy of having a writer come and visit them,” said Marina Campos, English teacher at Mount Madonna Continuation High School.
On Wednesday afternoon, author Art Rodriguez proved that not only are they worthy of having a writer visit them, but that they are worthy of being writers themselves.
Rodriguez, 57, told the nearly 100 students and teachers gathered to hear him speak about his impoverished childhood, involvement with gangs in east San Jose and eventual turn towards legitimate business and family life.
During the talk, he read a passage about his abusive father from his autobiographical book, “East Side Dreams.” He recounted how his dad, who had procured a leather whip from Mexico, used to beat him for doing poorly in school.
“For 20 percent of the kids, this is their life,” said Campos, citing corporal punishment at home, fighting, recreational drug use and running with gangs as common in students’ lives.
Campos originally gave her students a selection from Rodriguez’s book, but many continued reading.
“You can’t put it down,” said junior Rosa Chihuahua. “San Jose’s right there. We know all the places (in the book).”
“It relates to us,” added junior Travis Barrios.
For many of the students in Campos’ class, this was the only book they had read this year. One student, who has been involved with gangs, said he read it four times.
Rodriguez said this type of response is not uncommon. He had one girl, who characterized herself as hopeless, read his book and realize she had potential. Four year later, she wrote him to inform him that she had become a teacher in hopes of helping students in need.
“When your book moves people, that’s when you reap the benefits,” said Rodriguez.
As part of that message, he emphasized how overcoming his dyslexia to write his autobiographical stories helped bring fulfillment to his life.
“Remember,” Rodriguez said to the students, “what you put into your life – you can go to junior college, you can go to college – your life will be easier, it won’t be so hard. And when you have an easier life, you are a happier person.”
His message did not fall on deaf ears.
“You can come from nothing to something,” said Barrios after the lecture.
Junior Jaime Avilar agreed: “You can change your life.”
