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)
 Sam Yorty (Mayor)
 Oscar
 Sergeant Armas
 Black Eagle
 Teresa (Brown’s
 Lady Feather
Sister)
 Mangas
 Risco
 Pelon
 Gilbert
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” pg 45
 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 pg 38
 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?