Richard Rodriguez's life and writing are about balance and paradox--the joining together of seemingly irreconcilable differences. In his life as a writer he balances between journalism, particularly broadcast journalism, and essay writing, particularly memoir. The straightforward, argumentative style of his journalistic prose contrasts with the lyrical and highly rhetorical style of many of his essays. He is most famous for his autobiographical writing, but he considers his autobiographical works collections of essays rather than extended autobiographical narrative. He is an important regional writer but conceives of a national audience. Although he is well known as an Hispanic author who writes extensively about the issues facing Hispanic Americans, he also wonders about his ability to speak for his race. He has been an outspoken opponent of Affirmative Action programs, particularly in higher education, but he also recognizes that he is a beneficiary of these programs.

Rodriguez was born in...