José Revueltas facts for kids

José Revueltas Sánchez (born November 20, 1914, in Santiago Papasquiaro, Durango – died April 14, 1976, in Mexico City) was an important Mexican writer, essayist, and political activist. He came from a very talented artistic family. His siblings included Silvestre, who was a famous composer; Fermín, a painter; and Rosaura, an actress.

Biography

Early Life

José Revueltas Sánchez was born in Santiago Papasquiaro, Durango, on November 20, 1914. In 1920, when he was six years old, his family moved to Mexico City. They first lived in the colonia Roma neighborhood and later in colonia Doctores. José went to the Colegio Alemán until the fourth grade and finished his primary school education in a public school. After his father passed away in 1923, his family faced financial difficulties. He left school in 1925 but continued to learn on his own by reading many books at the National Library of Mexico.

Political Activism

José Revueltas joined the Mexican Communist Party in 1928. However, he was later removed from the party in 1943. This happened because he openly criticized how the organization was run and wrote a book called Mexico: Essay About a Headless Proletariat, where he shared his thoughts on the Mexican Left.

He also helped start other political groups, like the Liga Espartaquista (Spartacist League) and the Partido Popular Socialista (Popular Socialist Party, or PPS). But he was also expelled from these groups because he continued to question and criticize political ideas.

Times in Prison

José Revueltas was arrested several times because of his political activities. In 1929, he was arrested for taking part in a protest in the Zócalo, which is a big public square. He was accused of causing trouble and was sent to a high-security prison called Islas Marías. He was released after six months.

He was sent back to Islas Marías prison from July to November 1932. He was imprisoned again in 1934 for helping to organize a strike for farmers in Camarón, Nuevo León.

In 1958, he was put in prison again for being involved in the Railwaymen's Movement, which was a big protest by train workers.

His last imprisonment was in 1968. He was accused of being a leader behind the student movement that ended sadly with the Tlatelolco massacre. He was arrested and sent to the Palacio de Lecumberri prison, also known as The Black Palace. While he was there, he wrote one of his most famous books, El apando (which means The Punishment Cell).

Death and Memorial

José Revueltas passed away on April 14, 1976, due to heart problems.

A special memorial was held for him at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. The Secretary of Public Education, Victor Bravo Ahuja, attended on behalf of the President. However, Professor Martín Dosal, who had been imprisoned with Revueltas, asked Ahuja to leave.

In 2021, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced that the former Islas Marías prison, where Revueltas was held, would be turned into an environmental and cultural education center. It is named "Muros de Agua-José Revueltas" in his honor.

Writings

José Revueltas wrote many important books during his life:

• Los muros de agua (1941)
• El luto humano (1943) – This book was also published in English as Human Mourning and The Stone Knife.
• Dios en la tierra (1944)
• Los días terrenales (1949)
• Los errores (1964)
• El apando (1969) – This book was published in English as The Hole.
• México 68: Juventud Y Revolución (1968–1972)

See also

In Spanish: José Revueltas para niños