The
Philosophy of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán
Preface
Movimiento
Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A) hereby establishes
the following principles based on our knowledge, ideas and opinions
to enhance the progress of M.E.Ch.A. In order to have an understanding
of M.E.Ch.A., we bring forth this document to guide Mechistas
in their principles, values and conduct.
Historical
Foundation
The Chicano
Movement of the late 1960's helped spark cultural and historical
pride in our people. Chicanas/Chicanos demanded to be treated
as equals and denounced acculturation and assimilation. Brown
pride began to express itself through poetry, literature, art
and theatre. The contributions of the Chicano Movement are numerous
and continue to be very valuable to our society.
Movimiento
Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A.) is a student
organization that promotes higher education, cultura, and historia.
M.E.Ch.A. was founded on the principles of self-determination
for the liberation of our people. We believe that political involvement
and education is the avenue for change in our society.
In March
of 1969, at Denver, Colorado the Crusade for Justice organized
the National Chicano Youth Conference that drafted the basic premises
for the Chicana/Chicano Movement in El Plan de Aztlán (EPA).
A synopsis of El Plan stipulates: 1) We are Chicanas and Chicanos
of Aztlán reclaiming the land of our birth (Chicana/Chicano
Nation); 2) Aztlán belongs to indigenous people, who are
sovereign and not subject to a foreign culture; 3) We are a union
of free pueblos forming a bronze (Chicana/Chicano) Nation; 4)
Chicano nationalism, as the key to mobilization and organization,
is the common denominator to bring consensus to the Chicana/Chicano
Movement; 5) Cultural values strengthen our identity as La Familia
de La Raza; and 6) EPA, as a basic plan of Chicana/Chicano liberation,
sought the formation of an independent national political party
that would represent the sentiments of the Chicana/Chicano community.
In April
of 1969 over 100 Chicanas/Chicanos came together at UC Santa Barbara
to formulate a plan for higher education: El Plan de Santa Barbara.
With this document they were succesful in the development of two
very important contributions to the Chicano Movement: Movimiento
Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A.) and Chicano Studies.
The fundamental
principles that led to the founding of Movimiento Estudiantil
Chicano de Aztlán are found in El Plan de Santa Barbara
(EPSB). The Manifesto of EPSB sees self-determination for the
Chicana/Chicano community as the only acceptable way for our people
to gain socio-economic justice. El Plan argues that a strong nationalist
identity is a necessary step in building a program of self-determination.
Self-determination, in this regard, challenges those involved
in principle struggle to respect the rights of all Chicanoas and
Chicanos. EPSB stresses that in ogranizing M.E.Ch.A. every opportunity
must be taken to educate Raza. At the same time, El Plan exhorts
Mechistas to preserve Chicana/Chicano culture in this culturally
diverse society, both in community and on campus. Thus, a Chicana/Chicano
Nation is a necessity defined as an educational, socio-economic,
and empowered Chicana/Chicano community. The Manifesto of EPSB
warns us in part:
We
recognize that without a strategic use of education, an education
that places value on what we value, we will not realize our destiny.
Chicanos [and Chicanas] recognize the central importance of institutions
of higher learning to model progress, in this case, to the development
of our community. But, we go further: we believe that higher education
must contribute to the formation of a complete man [and woman]
who truly values life and freedom. (p.10) EPSB
Both El Plan
de Aztlán (EPA) and El Plan de Santa Barbara (EPSB) served
as the historical foundation for the establishment of a viable
Chicana/Chicano Movimiento and are therefore fundamental to the
M.E.Ch.A. Philosophy.
M.E.Ch.A.'s
Philosophy
The Chicana/Chicano
sutdent movement has been plagued by opportunists that have sought
to rechannel the energies of our people and divert us from our
struggle for self determination. The educational plight of Chicana
and Chicano students continues to be ignored by insensitive administrators.
Overall, Chicana/Chicano junior high, high school and college
pushout rates have risen since 1969, forcing many Chicanas and
Chicanos to a life of poverty. These factors along with a growing
right wing trend in the nation are combining to work greater hardships
on Chicanas and Chicanos. New repressive and racist immigration
laws are continuously directed at our Gente. Along with this,
the current administration has started the process of dismantling
Affirmative Action and Civil Rights protections. Just as Hispanics
seeks to deny our indigenous heritage, so does Latino. The terms
Hispanic and Latino further ignore our unique socio-economic and
historical aspects of our Chicana/Chicano Gente. This cannot be
ignored. We cannot coin terms for unity sake when these terms
fail to fully represent our diverse communities. Chicanismo does
not seek to use the word "Chicano" as an umbrella term
when representing all of "La Familia de La Raza". Rather,
Chicanismo seeks to educate our barrios and campos about our history
y cultura to further create a movement of self-determination for
the Liberation of Aztlán, something that Hispanic and Latino
has yet to represent or recognize. These factors have made it
necessary for Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán
to affirm our philosophy of liberation (i.e. educational, socio-economic,
and political empowerment) for our Chicana/Chicano Nation.
We, as Mechistas,
see the process of Chicanismo as evolutionary. We recognize that
no one is born politically Chicana or Chicano. Chicanismo results
from a decision based on a political consciousness for our Raza,
to dedicate oneself to building a Chicana/Chicano Nation. Chicanismo
is a concept that integrates self-awareness with cultural identity,
a necessary step in developing political consciousness. Therefore
the term Chicano is grounded in a philosophy, not a nationality.
Chicanismo does not exclude anyone, rather it includes those who
acknowledge and work toward the betterment of La Raza.
Chicanismo
involves a personal decision to reject assimilation and work towards
the preservation of our cultural heritage. Recognizing that all
people are potential Chicanas and Chicanos, we encourage those
interested in developing a total commitment to our movement for
self-determination for the people of Aztlán to join Movimiento
Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán.
Thus, by
all means necessary, We Chicana/Chicano estudiantes or Aztlán,
dedicate ourselves to taking our educational destiny into our
own hands through the process of spreading Chicanismo, in the
spirit of carnalismo.
M.E.Ch.A.
is committed to ending the cultural tyranny suffered at the hands
of institutional and systematic discrimination that holds our
Gente captive. We seek an end to oppression and exploitation of
the Chicano/Chicana community.
As Mechistas,
we proclaim that we are the people of Aztlán and that we
recognize our indigenous unity with our brothers and sisters of
Ixachitzlan (Alaska to Tierra del Fuego). We declare that we are
the descendants of El Quinto Sol. Our fundamental drive is to
organize and challenge Chicana/Chicano estudiantes to maintain
self-respect and dignity to overcome historical prejudices and
discrimination against the Chicana and Chicano Gente. The historic
mission of M.E.Ch.A. involves an educational plan of action that
builds an educational ladder for the advancement of our people.
Recognizing that the strength of our movement is rooted in our
barrios, M.E.Ch.A. pledges itself to reach out to the community
and schools, to establish new educational opportunities. We also
recognize that our M.E.Ch.A. chapters are much stronger when they
are rooted in and accountable to the Chicana/Chicano community.
Consequently, We, Mechistas commit ourselves to return to our
community and contribute to the development of the Chicana/Chicano
Nation.
The Challenge
of the Future
Despite growing
repression and a lack of progress by our people in this society,
we must be optimistic. As, M.E.Ch.A., we must accept the challenge
to combat all forms of oppression, and manifestations as experienced
through racism, sexism, and homophobia, both inside and outside
of our Movement, in order to better develop a more meaningful
educational plan of action (refer to Goals and Objectives). Advocating
an educational revolution, we recognize that our bullets are our
books and our victories are an increase in Chicana/Chicano graduates
committed to our people's progress. We, as Mechistas must dismantle
the co-optation of Raza students from becoming "corporate
Hispanics" claiming to be leaders of our community with no
understanding of El Pueblo Chicano. Instead, M.E.Ch.A. seeks to
train future community leaders to be consciously committed to
serve the people of Aztlán.
M.E.Ch.A.
also supports Chicana and Chicano worker struggles to abolish
economic and political exploitation. In the final analysis, we
recognize that the destiny of the movement will be determined
by each Mechista accepting responsibility for carrying the Movement
forward.
Each MEChista's
Responsibility
Accepting
our responsibility for the Movement requires self-discipline and
understanding that our behavior becomes a reflection of M.E.Ch.A.
For this reason, we must be consistent in our thinking and our
actions. Rationalizing our inconsistency and accountability. Mechistas
in leadership roles setting poor examples only betray the Movement.
Since we are seeking the freedom of our people, our motivation
should be high, recognizing the need to commit ourselves fully
for the sake of La Causa.
Finally,
as Mechistas, we vow to work for the liberation of Aztlán,
leading to socio-economic and political justice for our Gente.
M.E.Ch.A. then, is more than a name; it is a spirit of unity by
comadrismo/carnalismo, and a resolution to undertake a struggle
for liberation! Tierra y Libertad!
M.E.Ch.A.
Structure
In the past,
the structure of M.E.Ch.A. allowed any individual wanting to organize
a chapter on any particular campus the opportunity to do so. This
could occur without prior knowledge of the history and philosophical
objectives of M.E.Ch.A. Thus, vast numbers of M.E.Ch.A. chapters
with dissimilar and contradictory objectives as well as conflicting
philosophies.
Recognizing
the ineffectiveness of this previous M.E.Ch.A. organizational
structure and the philosophical polarity that it allowed, we propose
that the following structure be adopted which makes every Mechista
accountable to its Region, and every Region accountable to the
National.
Campus M.E.Ch.A.
General membership
shall consist of any student who accepts, believes, and works
for the goals and objectives of M.E.Ch.A. including the liberation
of Aztlán. College students shall be limited to six years
active membership (excluding high school) as an undergraduate
and two years service at the graduate level in an non-voting advisory
role. Active membership will be officially recognized by their
campus M.E.Ch.A. Graduates are encouraged to refrain from voting
to allow new leadership to develop. When M.E.Ch.A. meetings are
being conducted and M.E.Ch.A. business is being discussed, voting
shall be limited to active members only.
Affiliation
Each M.E.Ch.A.
Chapter shall gain its affiliation through and only through the
recognized M.E.Ch.A. Central they geographically fall under. In
order to be a M.E.Ch.A. Chapter recognized by the Central, they
shall accept and adopt the following responsibilities: 1)Orient
all members by discussing and reading historical documents of
our movement including El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlán
and the Philosophy of M.E.Ch.A.; 2) Make important aspects of
the Chicana/Chicano Movement relevant to Mechistas; and 3) send
two representatives to Central and Regional meetings to be recognized
as a voting chapter.
Central
Centrales
shall outline and implement plans of action for their particular
region. The Centrales shall be divided by counties with isolated
campuses going to the nearest active Central. Each campus shall
one vote and a meeting shall be official when 50% plus one of
the voting membership is present. The Central shall have two standing
positions including the External and Internal Directors. Member
campuses shall alternate hosting Central meetings with the hosting
campus in charge of notifying participating campuses.
Responsibility
of the M.E.Ch.A. Central includes: 1) screen, recruit, and educate
campuses wishing to form a M.E.Ch.A.; 2) keep a record of all
officially chartered M.E.Ch.A.s in their Central; 3) seek fund-raising
strategies to fund activities, academic outreach, and a newsletter.
Responsibility
of the Central Representative includes: 1) one year of M.E.Ch.A. experience
(except new chapters); 2) take a written report back to their
campus for discussion of Central issues; 3) bring campus M.E.Ch.A.
minutes to Central meetings; and 4) vote on Central issues in
the manner that their campus has decided.
Responsibility
of the Internal Director includes: 1) one year of M.E.Ch.A. experience
(no exceptions); 2) non-voting status in Central meetings; 3)
official spokesperson for the Central; 4) shall set up visits
by Central members at new, prospective campuses for membership
recruitment into the Central meetings; and 5) head the Central
newsletter committee.
Region
The M.E.Ch.A.
Region shall consist of all representatives from the M.E.Ch.A.
voting campuses. The Region is a logistical planning committee
and receives its direction from the voting campuses. Region shall
convene once a month.
Responsibility
of the M.E.Ch.A. Region includes: 1) Screen, recruit, and educate
campuses wishing to form a M.E.Ch.A.; 2) Keep a record of all
officially chartered M.E.Ch.A.s in their Region; and 3) seek fund-raising
strategies to fund activities, academic outreach, and a newsletter.
Responsibility
of Regional Representatives includes: 1)Take a written report back
to the campus, outlining issues under consideration (i.e., actions,
workshops, or speakers); 2) Vote on issues in the manner their
campus has decide; 3) Each campus shall have on vote; and 4) A
quorum shall be 50% plus one of all Regional Campuses.
Statewide
There will
be two Statewide conferences during each year that will focus
on one and no more than two major issues at which time a plan
of action will be discussed. The purpose is to come out of each
conference with a well planned strategy to take action on the
imminent issue.
Statewide
Rules includes: 1) Only M.E.Ch.A. campuses certified
by a M.E.Ch.A. Regional process will be allowed to vote; 2) Community
people shall be allowed to participate as observers only; 3) Individuals
and/or groups with a history of party-building and cadre raiding
inside of M.E.Ch.A. are not welcome to attend; 4) All entertainment
shall be culturally, educationally, and/or politically oriented;
5) Non-voting individuals attending the conference shall not be
allowed to participate in debate or discussion of questions before
the assembly; and 6) In a general assembly, there will be on vote
per campus and in the workshops, voting shall be done by students,
certified by a M.E.Ch.A. Regional Process.
National
A M.E.Ch.A.
National Conference shall be held once a year. The purpose of
this conference shall be to bring all M.E.Ch.A. chapters together
in an effort to form a M.E.Ch.A. National Conference structure
that advocates a common M.E.Ch.A. philosophy, works towards unified
goals and objectives, and reaffirms the principles of M.E.Ch.A.
to consolidate our Movement.
At the M.E.Ch.A.
National Conference, steps will be taken to establish ties amongst
the M.E.Ch.A. chapters throughout Aztlán. As a vibrant
and responsive network of activists who will respond as a unit
to oppression, racism, sexism and homophobia, we will work in
harmony when initiatinng and carrying our campaigns of liberation
for our people.
M.E.Ch.A.
Goals and Objectives
Objective
One: We recognize that Chicanismo is evolutionary
and that a Chicano identity is not a nationality but a philosophy.
Chicano nationalism is the key to taking our people forward. M.E.Ch.A.
will not discriminate against any Mechista who works for and adopts
Chicanismo as indicated in El Plan de Santa Barbara, and the Philosophy
of M.E.Ch.A. This philosophy is the key to taking our people forward.
Objective
Two: In the spirit of our past and for the spirit
of our future, M.E.Ch.A. will not condone, tolerate, or perpetuate
sexism. Indigenismo teaches us that duality is the bse for respect
and dignity among our people. As Mechistas, we have instilled
this very fundamental principle as our foundation.
Process
of Implementation: 1) Every M.E.Ch.A. chapter will hold workshops
and/or forums dealing with the contributions of mujeres to our
movimiento; 2) At every National M.E.Ch.A. Conference and Statewide
M.E.Ch.A. Conference there will be a gender caucus. These caucuses
will be the Chicana and Chicano caucuses in which gender issues
will be thoroughly discussed. There will be seperate Chicana/o
causes in which mujeres and hombres will have an opportunity to
talk to each other about their experiences. Then there will be
combined Chicana/o caucus in which mujeres and hombres will talk/discuss
their experiences; and 3) At every M.E.Ch.A. National Conference
and M.E.Ch.A. Statewide Conference there will be a Chicana Workshop
in which the contributions made by Chicanas will be presented.
Objective
Three: Understanding that homophobia exists in
our community, M.E.Ch.A. must undertake the task of educating
ourselves to put a stop to homophobic remarks in our organization.
Being that there are Chicanas/os who are of the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender
(LGBT) community we must work for providing a safe enviroment
in M.E.Ch.A. Therefore, M.E.Ch.A. will not tolerate disrepectful
comments to LGBT members as they are a vital part of our Chicano
community. Our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community is
a very important asset not only in the growth of M.E.Ch.A. but
it also provides strength and unity between our Mechistas.
Process
of Implementation: 1)Every M.E.Ch.A. chapter must provide
homophobia educational segments on their campus. 2) At every Statewide
and National M.E.Ch.A. Conference workshops on our LGBT community
and the harms and injustices of homophobia must be provided to
educate Mechistas; and 3) Any Mechista who makes homophobic remarks
must be stopped and corrected. M.E.Ch.A. will not allow for any
segment of our Chicano community to be disrespected as these remarks
are self-defeating in M.E.Ch.A.'s purpose to help create a safe
enviroment for members who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender
(LGBT).
Objective
Four: M.E.Ch.A. must commit its chapters to building
a consolidated M.E.Ch.A. structure that is capable of applying
political pressure at the local, regional, state, and national
levels without being co-opted by outside interests.
Process
of Implementation: 1) M.E.Ch.A. should establish campus and
issue coalitions (see M.E.Ch.A.'s Relationship to Outside Organizations);
2) M.E.Ch.A. should identify community centers in each chapter's
area and establish liasons with parents and community people by
doing a series of workshops on educational issues, and pressure
university/community college EOP/EOPS/Financial Aid units to regularly
provide information workshops at such centers; 3) Each M.E.Ch.A.
Chapter must establish and support a Central in their local area
that includes high school, community college, and university M.E.Ch.A.s,
with the ultimate goal of organizing a M.E.Ch.A. at every school
in the area that will become part of the Central.
Objective
Five: M.E.Ch.A. must work for the establishment
of an alliance for Chicano educational rights that will be built
locally and then linked to region, state, and national levels.
Process
of Implementation: 1) M.E.Ch.A. chapters should push for area-wide
conference on Chicana/Chicano educational rights and then mobilize
on issues of concern on an ongoing basis.
Objective
Six: M.E.Ch.A. must create educational mentor/tutor
type programs organized at the Central level that shall serve
as the foundation for all other organizing efforts for Chicana/Chicano
educational rights. Such mentor/tutor programs should have the
following goals: 1) Training Mechistas as mentors/tutors to serve
as a fundamental retention strategy since such training enhances
the mentor/tutor's own academic skills; 2) Mentor/tutors, when
trained become a key element in recruitment; and 3) Utilize mentor/tutors
to work with parents in establishing a communications network
on college preparation, educational issues, and advocacy through
educational issues, and advocacy through educational institutions.
Objective
Seven: Each M.E.Ch.A. chapter must assess outreach,
retention, and financial aid and how these services impact Chicana/Chicano
students. Such an assessment must include the demand that the
recruitment/attrition numbers game, which brings Chicana and Chicano
students into the university and then fails to provide adequate
academic and financial support services to retain them, must stop.
Process
of Implementation: 1) Every campus outreach program must be
analyzed to see if early outreach and supportive counseling is
being provided at surrounding junior high school and high school;
demand that Mechistas receive work-study to augment such services
at the junior high and high schools; 2) Demand that your campus
fund a student run, student initiated summer academic enrichment
program for high school students that will be organized by the
respective M.E.Ch.A. chapter and that will give Mechistas jobs;
3) Understanding that Chicana/Chicano attrition rates are high
on all campuses, demand that the university/community college
fund the following educational modules: stress management, time
management, study skills, writing lab, self-esteem, public speaking,
critical thinking, Chicana and Chicano Identity/History, library
research, a M.E.Ch.A. National Hotline, and free tutoring; 4)
Since services are demand of the university, M.E.Ch.A. must demand
that its membership be committed to these services and to academic
achievement; 5) Demand that M.E.Ch.A.'s key officers be funded
through work-study and offer the rationale that M.E.Ch.A. coordinates
youth leadership through retreats and Central activities; 6) Demand
that the financial aid office at the respective campus not acknowledge
outside scholarships as affecting the final financial aid award
from the university and federal/state aid.
Objective
Eight: Given the poor track record of institutions
of higher learning in fulfilling their mission to recruit and
retain Chicana/Chicano students, demand that the president or
chancellor of your campus immediately establish a community advisory
committe to promote the increased allocation of resources for
our Gente; submit a list of credible community people, who are
sensitive to our needs, to serve on the committe, as well as a
M.E.Ch.A. representative; request a commitment from the president
or chancellor to assess enrollment, retention, and financial aid
services, then ask that a campus/community task force be formed
to recommend changes to improve services.
Objective
Nine: Currently, Chicano Studies programs, in
most cases, have been co-opted by the mainstream educational system
and communication with M.E.Ch.A. is at an all time low. Many Chicano
Studies faculty have submitted to the pressures of the system
and no longer support student activism, leaving their departments
vulnerable to attacks from school administrators. To correct this
lack of linkage with Chicano Studies, M.E.Ch.A. proposes the following
goals:
Process
of Implementation: 1) The immediate re-establishment of communication
with student program input, and M.E.Ch.A.'s Campus Chair having
a vote in departmental meetings; 2) The establishment of inter-campus
Chicano Studies Concilio Networks at the local level with student
and community participation; 3) The re-direction of a portion
of Chicano Studies resources into cooperative recruitment and
retention projects with M.E.Ch.A. and the Chicana/Chicano community;
4) Demand that Chicano Studies fund M.E.Ch.A. officers out of
work study; and 5) M.E.Ch.A. should cement a positive relationship
between Chicano Studies and their respective M.E.Ch.A. chapter.
Objective
Ten: At the present time, very few Mechistas
are involved in student government even though they sometimes
could win several seats with a concerted effort. While increasing
M.E.Ch.A.'s political power on campus, student government is a
strong training ground to acquire leadership skills.
Process
of Implementation: 1) Establish a coalition slate that pools
resources, campaign workers, and votes; or 2) Establish a Chicana/Chicano
coalition slate.
Objective
Eleven: To augment education, each Central needs
to organize a one week M.E.Ch.A. Leadership Retreat for high school
students and incoming freshmen that provide political and academic
skills. In addition, M.E.Ch.A. must establish Saturday Schools
to assist grade school, junior high, and high school students
in overcoming academic problems and instilling cultural pride.
Objective
Twelve: The establishment of a National Newsletter,
augmented by Regional Newsletters that provide important information
on issues occurring at various campuses; this also promotes tighter
linkage through ongoing communications.
Process
of Implementation: Each member campus in your Region should
be given the task on a rotating basis of putting out the Regional
Newsletter, with each Region responsible for contributing to the
National Newsletter that should eventually become a newspaper
for the process.
Objective
Thirteen: Collective fundraising at the local Central
level should be organized with 50% going to the campuses that
contribute to the Central fundraiser and 50% remaining with the
Central to fund area projects. Incorporation and non-profit status
should be pursued to organize fundraising efforts for educational
programs. Raza businesses should be approached to become sponsors
and contributors to a Central Scholarship Fund and other educational
programs promoted by the Central. Eventually, M.E.Ch.A. should
work to establish a National Chicana/Chicano Scholarship Fund.
Objective
Fourteen: M.E.Ch.A. must adopt principles to insure
that M.E.Ch.A. functions democratically. These principles include:
- Leadership
will be based on the collective, with equal representation of
Chicanas/Chicanos;
- Authorized Representation
means that individual Mechistas should not offer the endorsement
of, or formally represent, any M.E.Ch.A. chapter without the
authorization of the body;
- Central and Campus Autonomy: Centrales and Campuses that accept the Regional
Process and its postions statements, should be allowed to resolve
local disputes without interference:
- Organizational Issues
should be brought before the body for democratic discussion and
resolution, without individuals or small groups deciding outside
of the chapter, since this promotes factionalism;
- Personal Issues
should be handled in an individual and private manner so that
they do not affect organizational unity;
- Slander and Rumor Spreading causes misinformation, disunity, and dissension
and cannot be tolerated by M.E.Ch.A.;
- Decisions of the Body
must be respected and not underminded by individuals or small
groups acting outside the recognized structure of M.E.Ch.A.;
- Conflict of Interests
between individual's within a chapter shall call for an abstention;
- Honest Representation
by Mechistas in disclosing outside organizational interests when
such interests impede the democratic process of M.E.Ch.A. must
be mandatory. Anyone attempting to orchestrate organized secret
activity for any outside organization inside of M.E.Ch.A. must
face expulsion and public exposure; and
- Respect for M.E.Ch.A.'s Integrity and Autonomy as an organization is a requirement for membership
in M.E.Ch.A.
M.E.Ch.A.'s
Relationship to Outside Organizations
Overview:
The importance
of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán having organizational
autonomy is a key prerequisite to establishing a cohesive movement
that will serve the interests of the Chicana/Chicano community.
Historically, Chicana and Chicano estudiantes have had to contend
with opportunistic organizations that have attempted to use M.E.Ch.A.
to promote goals inconsistent with the needs of our Gente. Such
opportunists have promoted such goals at the expense of the Chicana/Chicano
students' calling to serve La Familia de La Raza.
Meanwhile,
on an apparent "different" side, opportunistic, multi-national
"left" organizations continue in their manipulative
covert attempts to control and/or destroy our Movement. For this
reason, it is imperative that, We, Chicana and Chicano students
that want M.E.Ch.A. to control it own destiny without being co-opted
by outside organizations, provide our analysis on the role
of outside organizations workingo inside of M.E.Ch.A. In providing
this analysis, we recognize the fundamental role that Chicano
nationalism plays in promoting nuestra causa.
National
Pride
Recognizing
that the majority of our Raza are members of the working class,
we avow an anti-imperalist analysis that includes Chicana/Chicano
self-determination. Chicano self-determination must begin with
the recognition of what is implied in using the term M.E.Ch.A.
(Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán). Essentially,
we are a Chicana and Chicano student movement directly linked
to Aztlán. As Chicanas and Chicanos of Aztlán, we
are a nationalist movement of Indigenous Gente that lay claim
to the land that is ours by birthright. As a nationalist movement
we seek to free our people from the exploitation of an oppressive
society that occupies our land. Thus, the principle of nationalism
serves to perserve the cultural traditions of La Familia de La
Raza and promotes our identity as a Chicana/Chicano Gente.
Historical
Examples of Infiltration into M.E.Ch.A.
Why would
outside organizations seek membership inside of M.E.Ch.A.? Recently
and historically, opportunistic outside organizations and/or individuals
have utilized the legitimacy of M.E.Ch.A. as a voice of the Chicana/Chicano
Movement to promote their own agendas inside of our movement.
Such groups, lacking the same legitimate reputation with the Chicana
and Chicano community, began to promote class-wide multi-nationalism
that sought to displace Chicano nationalism as the central focus
for our Movement. Falsely claiming to be advocates of M.E.Ch.A.
such outside organizations, groups and/or individuals have consistently
attempted to erode the full development of Chicano nationalism
in the student movement.
Much of the
problem, with regard to confusing organizational goals has occurred
due to the existence of dual loyalties, membership, and accountablities
(by individuals who often lie about their membership and accountablity
to an outside organization). Claiming dual membership in M.E.Ch.A.
and other outside organizations, let it be understood that,
We, Mechistas, condemn any outside organizations, groups and/or
individuals which seek to subordinate the goals of M.E.Ch.A. to
those of its own. More specifically, we condemn the practice
of outside organizations, groups and/or individuals seeking to
use M.E.Ch.A. and its membership to party-build. Party-building
is defined as using our Movimiento to pull away membership from
our organization to work for another organization. One example,
is organizations, groups and/or individuals who seek to come into
M.E.Ch.A. for the purpose of inviting our members to work on certain
issues and then attempting to convert them into members of the
outside organization.
Party-building
is negative because it disrupts the normal functions and processes
of any organization by creating division. For this reason, let
all outside organizations, groups, and/or individuals understand
that M.E.Ch.A. demands: 1) the right to self-determination; 2)
that no person or outside organization shall determind our goals,
structure, and philosophy; 3) that all organizations, groups,
and/or individuals must respect the internal organizational dynamics
of M.E.Ch.A.; and 4) that no other organizations, groups, and/or
individuals may use the power of our organization to develop future
student and community leaders to promote the ideals and principles
of their organization.
Such leadership
should be principled and not liberal. For this reason, we cannot
believe in unity for unity's sake since there are many opportunistic
organizations, groups, and/or individuals who care only for themselves
and not for our people. Just as we would expel FBI or CIA agent
provacatuers from our organizations, such opportunistic organizations,
groups, and/or individuals must be exposed and expelled to strengthen
our Movement.
Forming
Coalitions on Principle
Generally,
M.E.Ch.A. must approach coalitions with outside organizations
carefully, El Plan de Santa Barbara warns us never to compromise
M.E.Ch.A. principles, goals, and objectives in forming coalitions.
Coalitions with outside organizations should always be limited
to work around issues that affect our community directly. Therefore,
involvement in issue coalitions must be based on the benefit that
our community will derive from working on such a coalition.
An important
consideration in forming coalitions is M.E.Ch.A.'s working relationships
with Chicano grass-roots community organizations. As Mechistas,
we recognize that Chicano nationalist organizations based in the
community are a logical extension of our Movement beyond our years
in school. Such coalitions assist M.E.Ch.A. in developing close
ties with the community. Yet, M.E.Ch.A. should only enter such
a coalition with the understanding that both organizations must
respect each other's autonomy.
Understanding
that coalitions must be based on mutual respect and mutual benefit,
M.E.Ch.A. has also learned from is history that we must be cautious
and not liberal in dealing with organizational opportunism when
it threatens M.E.Ch.A. As Mechistas we have a responsibility to
protect our organization's autonomy (which includes EPA, EPSB,
and the Philosophy of M.E.Ch.A.). El Plan de Santa Barbara urges
various student groups (MAYA, MASC, UMAS, etc.) to adopt one unified
name - M.E.Ch.A. - as a symbol of unified philosophy with a common
objective: LA UNION HACE LA FUERZA! We reaffirm our common force
(M.E.Ch.A. creating solidarity for the movement).
This document was last changed or amended in whole or in part
by a 2/3 vote at the 1999 National M.E.Ch.A. Conference at Phoenix
Community College.
