The first of July, 1967

"My face falls into my glass, the iceberg freezes my nose. I am numb. In a trance, a stupor. Passed out. Death is welcome after the events of this day, the first of July, 1967" (70). Chapter five revels in the ridiculousness and perverseness of Acosta's language; it seems as if Acosta's tone becomes even more disgusting, yet straightforward as the autobiography progresses. Even though Acosta's recollection of the night is blurry and misconceiving, the reader picks up on an extremley vile and demeaning annotation of the events that occured on this day. One can form a clear picture of the events that take place on that night due to the "real" and "uncaring" use of Acosta's language. He describes the cocaine, sex, and fights without haste and enables the reader to formulate a vivid conception on his life. Acosta is extremely straightforward, especially when it comes to making judgements on people. At one point in the chapter, Acosta claims, "I have already noticed the short distance between his right and left eyes. It is my secret way of detecting fags" (68). Acosta is not afraid to give his honest opinion on the people in his life; he deems it necessary for people to know the real "buffalo" and the perceptions he carries about the "real" people in his life. It is also interesting to note the part of the chapter in which Acosta questions to himself "who are these strange people, those foreigners that don't understand me?" (67). He reverses the role he plays in his autobiography, and lets the reader know that just as others think of him as an alien, he too feels as if everyone around him in not normal.
Another point in this chapter which interested me was the vividity and honesty behind his sexual desires and encounters? Could it be that Acosta is unsure of himself in this department or that he feels insecure?