What really happened to Henry Reyna? is a character analysis in Zoot Suit.
PACHUCO: You are Henry Reyna,Hank!The juvenile delinquent was snarling.The person is the zootsuiter.The leader of the gang on 38th Street.They got on you.
Because this is not your country.Look around you.The Pacific has been sewed up by the Japs.The Mayor of L.A. has declared a war on the Chicanos.On you!
The problem seems to be that I look like an Anglo to you.What if I told you that I have Spanish blood in my veins?Is it true that my roots go back to Spain like yours?What if I am an Arab?What if I am a Jew?What difference does it make?Will you let me help you?
ALICE: I'm talking about you, Henry.What the regular press has been saying.Are you aware that you are here because someone wants to sell more papers?It is true.
He is the man who started the Mexican Crime Wave.The police got involved.Do you want the picture?
I was born in Los Angeles just like you.I didn't know much about Mexicans when I was a kid.I am just trying to learn.
The press said "Jumping in."The 38th Street Gang are characterized by their style of haircuts.
The prosecution is trying to make these boys look like mobsters.
George is trying to exploit the fact that these boys look foreign.Kids are wearing clothes like this all over America.
The judge said "bangs the gavel."If their clothing becomes dirty, I don't think we will have any difficulty.
The judge said, "Ruling."The zoot haircuts will be retained throughout the trial in order to identify the defendants.
The press said "Springing to the attack."You say Henry hit the man with his fist.HENRY is standing.Is this the Henry Reyna?
Please be seated.HENRY is sitting.Is that when Henry Reyna pulled the knife after hitting the old man?
During the noon hour, Mr. Shearer, just what a leading question is?
We are dealing with a threat and danger to our families and homes.The forces of anarchy and destruction will be unleashed if these pachucos are set free.You will turn the pachucos into heroes if you set them free.They must be watching us at this very moment.What are they hatching in their twisted minds?Rape, drugs, assault, more violence?Who will be the next innocent victim on a lonely street?You?You?Are your loved ones with you?No!The Latin juvenile cohorts are not heroes.They are criminals and must be stopped.The danger of the pachuco is more important than the specific details of this murder.I want you to find the mobsters guilty of murder and put them in the gas chamber.
The prosecution has been able to prove that these boys wear long hair and zoot suits.The rest has been circumstantial evidence and war hysteria.The prosecution wants you to believe that they are not normal people.They are Americans.You will condemn all American youth if you find them guilty of anything more serious than a juvenile bout of fisticuffs.You will murder the spirit of racial justice if you find them guilty of murder.
I don't want to be treated differently than the rest of the batos.Don't expect me to talk about square Anglo.You need to find out what it means to be Chicano quickly.
I knew I was in here because I hung around with Mexicans.Well, just remember this.I grew up next to many of these batos.
HENRY: Do you think you can just move in and defend yourself?When was the last time you started a defense committee for me?Is it a newspaper?Or a drive to raise money?I don't need to defend.I can take care of myself.
You have seen me come and go.Traveling up and down the state, writing to you and speaking for you.I was doing it for you.My passion for this case has not come before my involvement.My boys are everything to me.
HENRY: My boys?My boys!What are we, your personal property?Let me tell you that I am not your boy.
In 1947, Henry Reyna was sent back to prison for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.He wasn't released until 1955 when he got into hard drugs after killing another prisoner.He died from the trauma of his life.