Family members Quote by Teresa Palomo Acosta
““Chicana intifada Rocks are our weapons of choice, indeed the only ones that we have stockpiled. We never worry about running out of them. After all, our unpaved streets are filled with rocks. We have wiped the dirt off them so that they may sail with a smooth hardness when we fling them into the air. We shall name each one of our rocks for the family members we have lost each year of the hundreds of years we’ve lived in these parts—as indios, as mestizos, as “Hi-panics.” For starters, we plan to break a few windows of the jefe’s casota nueva. I myself will be delighted to land one in each pane: center, left, right, top, bottom—the exact location doesn’t much matter. Why should his fancy house remain intact while we cannot count on running water? No one will suspect that an abuela is la capitana of the Chicana intifada, with her disguise of hat and gloves, of shiny earrings and sheer “nude” pantyhose; with her polite yes, ma’aming. “We’ll launch the first volleys at 6 p.m.,” she whispers to us. Smiling wryly, she adds, “Inside the house at a reception to which I’ve been properly invited you’ll see me lower my right gloved hand to the marble table.” Copyright (C) Teresa Palomo Acosta, 2007. All rights reserved.””
About This Quote
Source Play: Chicana Intifada Narrative, 2007
Rocks become symbolic weapons, honoring lost family while resisting oppression through creative protest.
In simple terms: Rocks used as symbolic weapons in protest.
Use symbolism to empower resistance.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- protest planning
- cultural events
- memorials
- community organizing
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does symbolism strengthen protest?
- What risks arise from such actions?
Violence may be interpreted as aggression.