Dr. Ronald Epps
Rockford School District
201 S. Madison Street
Rockford, IL 61104

Dear Dr. Epps:

On behalf of the Chicago Local of the National Writers Union, I am writing to you to protest the decision last June of your school board to remove Luis Rodriguez's book Always Running from library shelves.

As a highly-praised, award-winning author, Mr. Rodriguez has written a compelling and truthful account of his early experiences involved in gang warfare in East L.A. Mr. Rodriguez currently works in Chicago as a peacemaker among inner-city gangs. His literature is well-written, evocative and meaningful. It reveals a way of life sadly familiar to so many of today's youths. These young people are hesitant to discuss their complicated life problems with the average adult. Mr. Rodriguez's book provides them with a context and insight into what such a lifestyle represents and offers a vehicle for discussion and reflection.

As fellow writers, we understand Mr. Rodriguez's attempt to use his gift for expression as a catalyst for change and a bridge to better communication and understanding. It is in this vein that Always Running serves as a valuable tool for a community that has depleted many of its traditional resources in an attempt to provide a solution to such complicated issues. Banning a book such as this serves no purpose but to silence one more voice that is attempting to seek answers to the problems gang members face. Perhaps this is the voice that would have made a difference for a young person facing such troubles.

As a school superintendent, I would expect you to support such an opportunity to address the gang troubles so prevalent in our society today. Taking such a book off library shelves sends the wrong message to the public. It doesn't just suggest that what is in the book may be offensive to you or your board. It suggests that what is in the book is not a valuable and valid topic of discussion for others to examine. Such an action goes against the fundamental principles of education. It is disturbing that this situation continues to take place in the public schools.

We strongly urge you to reconsider your actions and restore the book to its rightful place in the Rockford School Library.

Sincerely,

Sue Telingator Chair, Chicago Local National Writers Union

cc: Luis Rodriguez
Jonathan Tasini, President, National Writers Union
Bob Chatelle, Chair, Political Issues Committee, NWU
Judith Krug, American Library Association
David Mendoza, National Campaign for Freedom of Expression
Anne Green, People for the American Way
Marjorie Heins, ACLU
Leanne Katz, National Coalition Against Censorship
Free Expression Network
Rock River Times
Rockford Register Star