Chapter 6

1. In the book, how does the Los Angeles school system perpetuate segregation? In regards to Luis’ specific case, how might school officials have justified their actions to themselves?

2. What is so tragic about the plight of Luis’ father? How does Luis’ opinion of him change and evolve throughout the chapter?

3. Luis begins to show interest in certain books about the black experience, including the Autobiography of Malcolm X. Why is he drawn to these books? What parallels are there between the black and Hispanic experience in the United States?

4. On page 147, Chente, the director of the John Fabela Youth Center, selects Luis to be a part of the Neighborhood Youth Corps. What do you think Chente saw in Luis that others did not? How might this have helped Luis?

5. On page 156, Luis begins to attend Chente’s study sessions, where topics of study include politics, philosophy, and economics (what comprise the dynamics of “social revolution”). He goes on to declare that the members of these sessions made “dead things come alive” by taking “what seemed obvious and prov[ing] the direct opposite.” What does Luis mean by the “dead things” that “come alive”? What do you think he means by what “seem[s] obvious and proving the direct opposite.”

6. Interpret the following quote and explain what it means:

“An invitation to abandon illusions about a situation is an invitation to abandon a situation in need of illusions.”

Chapter 7

7. Analyze the following quote from the beginning of the chapter:

“When the hanging’s done and the embers at the burning stake are grayed and cold, the conquered bodies of martyrs become unconquerable ideas.”

What does this quote mean? Consider the context of the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement mentioned in the novel. Who are the “martyrs” whose “conquered bodies” “become unconquerable ideas”? What are the “unconquerable ideas”?

8. The Watts Rebellion of 1965 was a part of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s. On page 164, Luis declares that the fires of the Watts riots “swept through America” and made it turn “toward(s) its greatest fears and hardest questions.” What are these “fears” and “questions”?

9. Community leader Chente Ramirez declares that “whites aren’t the enemy.” Who does he believe is the actual enemy of the poor and working class? He also declares that “change is constant” and “stagnation is relative.” What does this mean?

10.What does Luis mean by stating that “workers of all classes and nationalities, linked by hunger and the same system of exploitation, have no country” and “their interests as a class respect[s] no borders”?

Chapter 8

11. In prison, Luis befriends Night Owl from Sangra. How is this possible? What role might their imprisonment have played in this?

12. Sal Basuta of the La Casa Community Center suggests that the Sangra and Lomas youth should be treated as “warring nations” and made to “draw up treaties” they should “sign and abide by.” Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not? How does Sal’s idea contrast with Chente’s belief that the youth need a “strong economic foundation” and “viable future” instead? What does Chente mean by this?

13. How did the death of Miguel Robles manage to bring together members of both Sangra and Lomas? Despite this however, some members of both gangs are said to not “want peace.” Why would these individuals feel this way? Why would they wish for hostilities to continue?

14. What does Luis mean by “locura” or craziness on page 206? What is the “crazy life”?