The Revolt of the Cockroach People

The Revolt of the Cockroach People Joel Woolfork Antonio Valero Jenna Cantu Writing 10 Sect 16

VIVA LA RAZA!!!!

Setting • East LA • 1960’s • Rights Movement

characters • Brown (Buffalo) • Oscar • Black Eagle • Lady Feather • Pelon • Gilbert • Sam Yorty (Mayor) • Sergeant Armas • Teresa (Brown’s Sister) • Mangas • Risco

The Revolt of the Cockroach People??? • Do you think Oscar (the author) was trying to convey something? • Why does He constantly refer to his people as cockroaches? • “Then she joined up with the Chicanos and became a Cockroach herself” pg 17

Browns background • First came to California in Summer of 1940 • Dream was to Work for Cesar Chavez • Met Cesar ,his idol, in the Chapel • Cesar introduces “Risco and Ruth” pg45 • Do you think that Cesar was the final reason that Brown got into becoming a LAWYER after all?

Brown teacher split them up • “The school board told me, instructed me to not let Mexicans march with Americans...” pg 30 • What's your view on this? • Why do you think the parents also agreed with the school board?

Brown comes to la • Do you agree with Brown’s decision to finally make it back to LA? • What do you think Brown’s first impression on Ruth and Risco?

School walkout pg 37 • “We ain’t supposed to go… We’re supposed to be on strike ese” – Kid pg38 • What do you feel the purpose is the school walkout invloling children? • “Why not contribute to the delinquency of thse minors who’ve walked out of school and told the cop to stick it? Pg 41

Brown becomes attorney for 13 • “I’m not here for bail. I’m their attorney.” pg 51 • “I represent all of them” pg 51 • When you first read this was your initial reaction?

The Assassination • “Ladies and gentleman…Senator Kennedy has been shot by a man…” pg 62 • How big of an influence is this? How would it be different if Kennedy wasn’t shot?

The lake scene • What's the purpose of this scene? • “I lift my fists to the skies and shriek at the monster…Ayyyyyyyyyyyyy” pg 70 • “Before it can drop those bombs on downtown la” • Does the bird act as a metaphor for the American government and its interactions with the people?

Meet with mayor • “Come on, Brown, come on!... I’m trying to tell you … I’m telling you, that picketing thing is over…” pg 74 • If mayor is getting upset, do you think the picketing is working? Or do you agree with the mayor?

Meet with Mayor Contd.. • Why would the Mayor Yorty and District Attorney Reddin tell them that only riots accomplish anything? Why imply non-violent demonstrations were too weak? • Did they want the movement to turn violent so they could discredit them and write them off as criminals?

Getting interviewed by media • Pg. 78 to 79: Reporter asks “Are you part of any violent organizations”…Yes...I am an American citizen, Nixon is my leader” • Buffalo and many supporters were alienated by the American Government and the war. They hated the violent aspect of American politics.

Protesting the Church • Who foiled the original plan to camp at the construction site and how did they know? • Do you think Buffalo became more connected with the movement after this protest? • Page 82 “I am not a lawyer during the fast…”

Pg 90 from tough guys vato loco • He explains how life is when growing up in the East L.A. ghettos. • Claims it is common for residents to have little education, early exposure to drugs and dangerous activities, and little opportunity other than “a quick score”.

War with Police pg 91 • Eternal enemies of the people was the LA Sheriff • “the vato loco has been fighting with the pig since the Anglos stole his land in the last century”

Robert’s Death • Robert was a common “vato loco” who had run-ins with the law. • Do you think the police provoked Robert that night on purpose?

Robert’s death cont.. • Why would the pathologist ask Buffalo where to begin? They were the professionals but did they not care about Robert? • Pathologist quote pg. 105 “I would vote that the body was murdered…but not as a scientist”.

Court • Pg. 110 He said “Its clear that Pitluck (the supposedly unbiased hearing officer) is in the game with the Sheriff and the DA. • Pg. 114 The cloth blanket doesn’t match the cut out strip. What do you think?

Court Cont.. • Pg. 116: The “psychological autopsy” made Brown furious. Why? Was it based on a “racist view”. • Pg. 118 After one hour the jury ruled the cause of death was suicide. Did they consider everything? Was it really a trial with a jury of his peers?

To Kill a Cop or Not To • Pg. 122 “Hey, man, why don’t we just find a pig and shoot the sonofabitch?” • Is killing a cop really justifiable by their cause? • What if it was the same cop who they believed had killed Robert? An eye for an eye justice goes against their non-violent views.

Decides to Bomb Safe way instead • Pg. 127 “I put my fingers on the light switch… I blink once.” • Brown gave the signal to bomb a building and participated in his first violent action like that. • Pg. 129 “These two soldiers of Aztecan fired the first round in the war.”

After the bombing • Pg. 132 “What you mean me run for sheriff?” • What if Brown became a sheriff? Do you think he could make a positive change or not?

The Revolt of the Cockroach People