The Revolt Of The Cockroach People Summary

The Revolt of the Cockroach people is a well written book by Oscar Zeta Acosta. He tells the story of Buffalo Zeta Brown as if his own father was telling his life. Brown who was a Chicano lawyer goes into details on what happen when he moved into Los Angeles back in 1968 who’s only attention was for him to write an article for the New York Times and a book. After three months there he meets Gilbert a formal officer of the Chicano Militants. With time and obstacles such as the Chicanos movement in the barrio of Tooner Flats in east Los Angeles he not only became the groups lawyer but he eventually started helping in the marches and protest. In other words, he became one of them. While he was there he was part of the march at the Garfield high school and the

disruptions of masses on Christmas eve. He decided he would provide free defense to those who did not have the funds. That is why He was also evolved in the Robert Fernandez, and most importantly the Tooner Flats Seven case. Eventually brown was involved in the revenge part, that consisted \in the bombing of the Safeway store and the court house. In the other hand during his time of fighting for Chicanos, he managed the right to question Judges. Furthermore, I believe this book only provides truthful stories that made me learn of what was happening during the Chicano movement, was the Robert Fernandez case, catholic church discrimination, and the School Walkouts. 12
Although I knew Chicanos were treated bad and there was no true justice towards them, I happen to learn a story of a young man whose injustice death was never published in any way but they still talk about the black dahlia. I learned that it was believed that a young teenage boy named Robert Fernandez was murdered by someone in side the cells. In other words, he was Chicano pensioner. Despite all the facts that were pointed out () during the trial it was said that his death was a suicide. Furthermore, according to Mr. de Silva a former prisoner whose cell was next to Fernandez cell stated that “We talked for a while. Then I fell asleep. I woke up a little later…I heard some noise…It was the police. They were taking Fernandez out of the cell… I didn’t see nothing” (117). In other words, brown had no support since the only witness would not come out with the truth because it was clear he feared the police. Brown anger was brought down to the fact that despite Fernandez body showed that the bruises were clearly not enough to prove that it was the police in that prison who killed him. I believe this case was nothing but interesting since it brings up the issue that black people were not the only ones getting picked by police and the death would have no justice. Chicano lives matter. 12
Something I did not know was the fact that the churches would discriminate. I thought that out of all the places churches would be the place where there would not be any trouble but acceptance because isn’t that what god is all about. That is why I was surprised upon Brown’s arrive to los Angeles, he stated that “we turn and start walking up the cement steps. But at the top, the fifteen-foot doors of glass are shut in our faces. And when we try them they are locked. Left out, ounce again; tricked into thinking we are welcome” (13). In other words, the quote states that the Chicanos were prohibited of entering the church, it implicates the discrimination by treating them as if they all belong outside. What seemed to anger brown was the fact that they made the Chicanos believe that the reason they were not allowed inside was because of the lack of room. What surprised me even more was the fact that the church wouldn’t even allow the people outside to listen the mass. Furthermore, I learned that the St. Bail’s catholic church was not so nice to the poor crowd and it was a crowd that was mostly made up Chicanos. 10
Most importantly I learned that the school walkout was more serious than I thought.

It made me realize that those where kids who were around my age were fighting for their own kind, for students like me. The Chicano students began to notice the inequities when it came to education. They wanted a change in education such as they wanted better materials, teachers, administrators that would reflect Chicanos. Also a society where where speaking Spanish was allowed. Furthermore, that is why the walkouts were organized, it was meant to get the administration’s attention along with the district. According to Brown’s observations “the teachers try to stop it. They stand at the gate and try to shoo them back in. but the Chicanos are too many. The front of the school is a madhouse of excited Cockroaches” (39). The quotes show nothing but an image of the students fight for what they believe in, a change they seem to be waiting and will make it happen with excitement. In other words, the Chicanos problem were not only fought by grownup but by students who saw the injustice stuff that was clearly going on around them. Despite my believes I obtained a better understanding of the walkouts based on how he described

it.11
Furthermore, what I learned from the book was nothing but the Robert Fernandez case, the catholic church discrimination against Chicanos, and the School Walkouts. The book basically explains the Chicano problem that we discussed in class such as the walkouts and just having such knowledge on that subject is something I will totally remember. Regarding the rest of the book it basically states the injustice many chicanos were put which was a subject we have been taking about in class, that is why I believe most of it will stay with me. I denifily recommend this book to anyone because this book opens many awareness and makes other question history. History was not tough or mention once in their life especially for those Chicanos who didn’t grow up East Los Angeles. In other words, there are Chicanos who don’t know their history since they were never exposed to it. I believe college students should read it just because I believe high school students would only even touch the book endless the book is given to an honors or AP class. High school students tend not to read and I know that because I witnessed I was honestly one of the five students who would actually read a whole book. In other words, any college student should read the book no matter what they look like or where they come from. As along as they are in college because they actually care about their grades, their education. I believe that who ever gets the chance to read the book especially a woman should not get offended on how he talks about a female. I also believe that people should look out for the unexpected history they never knew about. It might make them confused, made, or sad for the injustice Chicanos went through and they aren’t really given any notice for their accomplishments. 12