Nathan Legge
Tommy Stickles
Juan Maciel
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Race and the War on Poverty by Robert
Bauman
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90 – “The number of persons of Mexican descent
living in Los Angeles double from over 150,000 in
1950 to just under 300,000 in 1960.”
This was due to a higher birthrate (Mexicanos
2009) in the 1950’s and a crumbling economy,
which usually causes mass migration of
impoverished farmers into cities.
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Lyndon Johnson’s “Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.”
Lyndon Johnson’s ”War on Poverty” dedicated funds for
poor minorities, including those in Los Angeles. This
created tension between African American and Chicano
groups who wanted more of the funding for themselves.
Older groups (LULAC, GI Forum, MAPA) were moderate
compared to the groups made up by groups created by
younger revolutionaries (Brown Berets, La Raza Unida) who
were “inspired by black nationalism . . . to form separatist,
economic-nationalist” undergrounds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUgs2O7Okqc&f
eature=share
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Oscar Zeta Acosta (Buffalo Z. Brown, or Zeta)- Is a
Chicano lawyer. One of the leaders of the Chicanos
in the LA area, they called them selves the Brown
Power Movement and were known to be as
dangerous as the Black Panthers. Acosta helps
organize protests and helps the revolutionaries by
representing everyone that gets charged with
crime regarding the revolution.
6 – Hunter S. Thompson writes that Acosta
believed he would die at the age of 33. What does
that say about him?
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22 – He is there to write an amazing book
about the Chicano Movement and use it for
income.
28 – “Politically, I believe in absolutely nothing.
I wouldn’t lift a finger to fight anyone. . . . The
best way to accomplish what you want is
simply to work for it, on an individual level.”
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30 – Acosta’s first encounter with institutional
racism.
30 – “After a moment . . . . march with a
Mexican.”
30 – “So what is it? Had my mother hit it on the
head? Am I shamed of my race?”
30 – “That night I get . . . . Me in particular.”
Why does Acosta suddenly want to become the
greatest Chicano activist ever?
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Acosta meets Gilbert, Ruth, and Risco in their underground
Chicano Militants Organization. The extent of their activism seems
little more than posters and vandalism.
Gilbert- Acosta meets him after being in LA for three months.
Acosta describes him as “a cross between a fat black frog and a
Corsican pirate,”(32). Gilbert talks Acosta into coming to one of
their rallies. Also talks him into being their Chicano lawyer.
Risco is described as being a curly haired Cuban with slick tongue
and very white teeth. Gilbert and Risco are mainly protesters.
They join and make many protests, by making picket signs, chants
and rallying the Chicano people.
Ruth- Works with Risco and Gilbert in the Chicano Militant
Organization.
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36 – Earlier political (radical rally) life in the early 60’s.
Because of repeated failures at that time, he had no intention
of getting involved with the Chicano Movement.
40 – He is drawn into the movement of “a thousand
Chicanos” most of them students. This “Blow Out” was
most likely organized by the United Mexican American
Students (UMAS) who were very active that year.
41 – Why does Acosta cry while marching with the
students?
41 – “I am remembering Mr. Wilkie and my own grammar
school fiasco. And now, twenty years later, here I am giving
cigarettes to scrawny children, kids who dare to act without
their parents’ permission, at the risk of getting clubbed and
busted by uniformed monsters.”
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Why is Acosta a lawyer who wants to be a writer?
43 – “All through law school . . . . I still wanted to
be the best at it.”
Acosta seeks Cesar Chavez’ advice as to whether
he should join the Chicano Movement, and
whether militancy is the right strategy. Chavez
tells him militancy is a different method for the
same end, and Acosta decides there that he will
devote his life to the movement.
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What causes an epiphany in Acosta? At what
moment does he decide to join the revolution?
47 – “I know then and there . . . . With my
Chicano soul.”
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The police raid and arrest inner circle of the
Chicano Militant Organization; Gilbert and Risco
among them. Thirteen members are arrested in all
(The East LA Thirteen). Acosta becomes their
attorney and begins a campaign to gather support
and workers for the coming trial. Acosta forms the
Chicano Legal Defense organization.
Black Eagle is one of the East LA 13, and one of
Acosta’s clients and friends. Used to date Lady
Feathers.
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Why is the East LA Thirteen arrested? (Two
answers)
54 – “That’s what I mean. . . . the Chief of
Police.”
Five days later, the bail for the thirteen is set at
a thousand dollars per person, and by
appealing to the Kennedy and McCarthy
campaigns, the militants are let go. Kennedy is
assassinated.
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Acosta files a brief to the Court of Appeals claiming that the
indictment is on false grounds; that the CM did not plan
violent acts and vandalism. It takes a year for the Grand
Jury to review to case and rule.
“A year of waiting. A year of fear at meetings. A year of
demonstrations” (71). The CLF protests this case and other
injustices.
Acosta meets Mayor Yorty. Neither of them likes the other.
In late Fall, Acosta joins the Chicano Law Students in their
protest against Cardinal McIntyre. They meet with and
insult Cardinal McIntyre and the events of Chapter 1 take
place.
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What does the black bird on pg. 70 symbolize?
70 – Black Bird is a metaphor for the
establishment, seeking to destroy him and
“Throw fire on him.”
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Why do the Chicano Law Students organize a
protest against St. Basil’s Cathedral?
Chicano Liberation Front (300 Chicanos) storm
St. Basil’s Cathedral to protest class inequality
in religion. Among them members of the
Chicano Militants Organization.
14 – Why does Acosta compare the police to
ants?
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13 – “We were at the home base of the holy
man who encouraged presidents to drop fire
on the Cockroaches in far-off villages in
Vietnam.” (Remember the Black Bird)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pla
yer_detailpage&v=dDw-zFFhFgc#t=53s
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19 – “I see Gilbert and Black Eagle. . . . Hands
off me.”
Why would Acosta want to be arrested?
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After the St. Basil 21 are arrested, Acosta leaves his
government-funded office and sets up in a CMO
basement. He then organizes a nonviolent picket of
the cathedral, using the Jewish temple as
sanctuary.
Rosaline, Veronica, and Madeline
Are “close friends” to Acosta-- we will say-- and
help him with little things like carrying his suit
case. Acosta meets them all at the night they picket
the cathedral. Rosalie is the tall dark haired girl.
Veronica has red hair and is the shortest. Madeline
wears glasses.
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The arrest and death of Robert Fernandez is
recounted by his family, followed by his autopsy.
Lupe Fernandez is a hefty woman and a sister to
Robert. She comes to Acosta for help involving the
death of her brother Robert. Acosta helps her in
trying to prove that Robert was murdered. She
gives Acosta his second big case (89).
Andy De Silva is small time politico in East LA; a
bit actor in B-grade movies who owns a bar on the
boulevard. He considers himself something of a
spokesman for the Chicano” (94). His nephew
Mickey de Silva was in Roberts cell when he
“hung himself”.
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90-91 – “I ask for the whole story . . . . until he
is exterminated.”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=COIHwG6GgYI
&feature=player_detailpage#t=147s
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The trial of Robert’s death.
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What exposes the case as murder?
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114 – “I rise and ask . . . . Torn and jagged.”
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The jury rules that Robert committed suicide
(118).
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120 – “Movida. Revolution. ‘If I got to do it
alone . . . I’m gonna get even for Robert.’”
Acosta decides to take revenge for Robert, and
after driving around with Gilbert and Risco
searching for a target, they decide to throw
molotov cocktails into a Safeway Store.
Rosalie comes up with the idea that Acosta
should run for Sheriff of LA. He files the
papers for candidacy the next day (as ‘Zeta
Brown’).
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125 – When the three men are looking to
avenge Robert’s death, why does Acosta refuse
to simply kill a random cop?
126 – “’If we knew that. . . . to me,’ Gilbert
says.”