The M.E.Ch.A
Philosophy
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: 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.
Returning to our community and contribute to the development
of the Chicana/Chicano Nation.
After the Santa Barbara conference in 1969, at Denver,
Colorado was the National Chicano Youth Conference that drafted
the
basic premises for the Chicano and Chicana Movement in El
Plan Espiritual de Aztlán (EPEDA). A synopsis of El Plan stipulates:
1) We are
Chicanos and Chicanas of Aztlán reclaiming the land of out birth (Chicano and
Chicana 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 nation
4) Chicano
and Chicana nationalism, as the key in mobilization and organization, is the
common denominator to bring consensus
to the Chicano and Chicana Movement.
5) Cultural
values strengthen our identity as La Familia de La Raza
6) EPEDA, as
a basic plan of Chicano and Chicana liberation, sought the formation of an
independent national political party that
would represent the sentiments of the Chicano and Chicana
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.
Joining with other community-based Chicano and Chicana
nationalist organizations, 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 and Chicana
Community.
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
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.
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.
