After watching some clips to learn more about the author, Luis J. Rodriguez, we read the short story, “My Ride, My Revolution” from Rodriguez’s book, The Republic of East L.A. Then we answered some questions.
“My Ride, My Revolution” Reading Response
1. What language is the book’s epigraph (quotation at the beginning of the book) written in? What do you think it means?
The book’s epigraph is written in the Nahuatl language. I believe that this phrase was either derived from a poem or a song. I believe that the epigraph is using symbolism to associate flowers and songs with a sense of joy and of being carefree, but then reiterates the notion that our time here on earth is limited and with bounds.
2. What is the narrator’s name? How old is he? How does he self-identify/describe himself? What is his job?
The narrator’s name is Cruz Blancarte. He is 29 years old and he is a limo driver. Cruz identifies himself as a mexican more specifically as a Purepecha but he is indian.
3. What is a Purépecha? Why does the narrator say, “We even made the Spaniards wish they never crossed our paths?”
A Purépecha, also known as a Tarascan, refers to a fierce group of indigenous people centered around Michoacán, who uphold their linguistic, cultural, and ancestral ties. The narrator states “We even made the Spaniards wish they never crossed our paths” to incite a sense of veneration within the reader at the might, strength, and fierceness of his people.
4. How does the narrator describe mestizos?
The narrator describes mestizos as mostly indians but who have forgotten their indians. He also states that mestizos don’t have anything to do with Purepechas.
6. Who is Ruby?
Ruby is Cruz Blancarte’s mother and also is a chicana advocate from back in the 60s and 70s.
7. What is the Chicano Moratorium (El Movimiento)?
The Chicano Moratorium was a movement of chicano activists that organized anti-Vietnam war demonstrations along with activists in mexican american communities in the southwest starting in November 1968 lasting to August 1971.
8. What does Aztlan refer to? What about “Aztlan Libre”?
Atzlan refers to the ancestral homeland of the Aztecs, particularly land located in the southwestern portion of the United States. I believe that Aztlan Libre was a concept adopted by Chicanos as a means of priding themselves in their ancestral roots. They wanted to reiterate the idea that they were liberating themselves from the prejudice and negative connotations associated with indigenous people who they viewed as being strong and fierce.
9. Give brief descriptions of Buddha, the Bible, Marx, Jung, Black Elk, Stephen King.
Buddha is a religious leader from Ancient India and is worshipped by many.
The Bible is a book that contains Christian religious texts.
Marx is a well known philosopher, who developed “Marxism.”
Jung was a psychiatrist that founded analytic psychology.
Black elk was a medicine man of the Oglala Lakota tribe.
Stephen King is an author who is mostly known for his horror books such as “It.”
10. “This isn’t hard if—like Jesus or Zapata—you care about those at the bottom.” Who is Zapata? Why does the narrator compare Zapata with Jesus?
Emiliano Zapata was a Mexican revolutionary who advocated on behalf of peasants and indigenous people whose livelihoods. were solely centered around agricultural practices: He pushed for agrarianism. The narrator compares Zapata with Jesus to reiterate the notion that Zapata strived to help the less fortunate just like Jesus does.
11. What do you think “I’ll get really serious about that revolution” means?
I think the phrase “I’ll get really serious about that revolution” is referring to the idea that the narrator wants to break free from the bounds that are confining him, such as poverty, drugs, and violence: He is unsure of what the future may hold but strives to better himself.
– Samantha, Karen, Ashley