April 05, 2006

MEchA: Working to Make Aztlan Real

MEchA = Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán = Chicano Student Movement of Aztlan. MEchA chapters exist on college and high school campuses across America. Their goal is the liberation of Aztlan:

aztlan_map.jpg
The philosophy of MEchA:
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.

Here's what MEchA has been up to lately:

From The Daily Aztec (San Diego State University):

MEChA members supervised the high school students at Chicano Park in Barrio Logan before the demonstrators made their way downtown to protest the proposed legislation bill HR4437 - which would make it a felony to be an illegal immigrant - and other proposed immigration bills.
From Yale Daily News:
On April 10, MEChA members will participate in a National Day of Action meant to increase awareness of immigration issues, Placido said. In addition, the organization is planning an awareness campaign titled "The Many Faces of Immigration" for the week of April 10-14 that will feature panel discussions, movie screenings and talks by immigration activists.
From the Oregon Daily Emerald (University of Oregon):
Guzman: And I, coming from being an internal director for MEChA this year and holding different positions in MEChA, I would bring, I would say, the outside perspective of programs and as a perspective that usually was not heard, I would say.
From the Daily Bruin (UCLA):
Student activists like Galvez, the chairwoman of MEChA, came back from spring break ready to address how several immigration proposals in Congress are affecting life around them.
From the The Western Front (Western Washington University):
The Chicano Student Movement of Aztlán, MEChA, a human rights organization that focuses on chicano issues, is sponsoring Western’s walkout, which is scheduled for noon Wednesday in Red Square.
Also posted at The Dread Pundit Bluto and Vince Aut Morire.

Posted by: Bluto at 10:33 AM | Comments (45) | Add Comment
Post contains 399 words, total size 4 kb.

1 They are the hispanic equivalent of white supremacists. The difference is that the Left has convinced the country that minorities are allowed to be racist. Something about minorities being historically victimized. And as we already know and have discussed on this blog at length, the only morality the Left recognizes is the morality of weak vs strong, poor vs rich. In other words, racism is actually moral when practiced by the "weak."

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at April 05, 2006 10:45 AM (8e/V4)

2 That is a disgusting post. Of course you did not do any research into exactly how popular those racist, idiotic organizations are - or else you'd have not made the insulting claim that such is what the illegals "really want." These organizations are emancipated skeletons staffed by retards, not some big power player in the hispanic community, as you seem to wish to imply. They're practically nonexistant as a power in Texas and back in Los Angeles the only time I saw Mecha was a local campus club - which had a half dozen people in it total. Frankly its disgusting even by blogger standards to see such ignorance tossed out as fact. I know you'd like to knee-jerk against any illegal immigrant and stereotype them as some sort of evil terrorist/communist/traitor, but the facts of reality do not bear you out - at all. In the future, I would request you do not talk out of your ass and claim you know whats the illegal immigrants in America "really want." I'd expect this kind of thing from Kos, maybe, but I'm severely annoyed that Rusty has some joker on his website posting such nonsense.

Posted by: MiB at April 05, 2006 11:22 AM (2hPsb)

3 Mib (aka Santiago), read the rest of Bluto's post about how Mecha and the Aztlanists are in the high schools and colleges organizing these marches. What are your comments about that? And do you think that sheds new light on all the Mexican flags being waved.

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at April 05, 2006 11:26 AM (8e/V4)

4 The map makes me wonder just how many activists they have in Central American countries that they consider part of Aztlan. Or are they just sitting in the US claiming all of Central America as theirs?

Posted by: Anachronda at April 05, 2006 11:46 AM (Y7t14)

5 Geez, MiB, you could at least come up with new text. After all, I posted your "Santiago Valenzuela" email to the other thread.

Posted by: The Dread Pundit Bluto at April 05, 2006 12:02 PM (RHG+K)

6 Hey, did I miss something in history class? I thought that whole region, actually, the entire North American region, was populated prior to the Spanish conquestadors, and other motley europeans. So, wouldn't Azatlan be just as bad to the native americans as the US is to the chicana/os? I mean, it's obvious that these folks are full of shit, I just was curious how high they are planning to pile the overflow.

Posted by: yo at April 05, 2006 12:30 PM (Stkxb)

7 yo, they claim spiritual and genetic solidarity with the Aztecs.

Posted by: The Dread Pundit Bluto at April 05, 2006 12:51 PM (RHG+K)

8 Are there any Aztecs left? What about the "indians"? I'm just so terirbly confused by all of this.

Posted by: yo at April 05, 2006 12:58 PM (Stkxb)

9 You won't be confused once a high Aztec priest is ripping your heart out on the altar of Qetzalcoatl.

Posted by: The Dread Pundit Bluto at April 05, 2006 01:32 PM (RHG+K)

10 Ok, is that something I have to sign up for, in advance - or can you just show up and get in line?

Posted by: yo at April 05, 2006 01:56 PM (Stkxb)

11 Sadly, too many high school students don’t know the difference between legal and illegal immigration. But it’s not surprising, because their teachers and the news media call illegal aliens ‘immigrants’ and ‘undocumented workers’. Legal immigration means Americans are making conscious choices about who they admit for citizenship, illegal immigration is simply an invasion. The students who are walking out of school and protesting today should really be asking themselves why their cities and states encourage illegal immigration by offering benefits to illegal aliens. That’s a slap in the face to every legal immigrant who waited in line for their chance to come to America. My name is Michael Class. I live in the Seattle area with my wife and two children. I am a retired "dot-com" executive who just couldn't sit by and let the mis-education of our youth go unchallenged anymore. I wrote, photographed, and published a book designed to set the record straight, to properly prepare our children for the future. My book is called Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame. In the book, my real-life son, twelve-year-old Anthony, time-travels to 1907 and meets his immigrant great-grandfather at Ellis Island. Anthony listens as officials question the new arrivals and document their intentions in the United States. Anthony witnesses the personal impact of immigration policy: He sees some people turned away at America’s door, causing families to split up. It's a harsh lesson: The purpose of immigration policy is to discriminate, to make choices about the people we want to admit to the United States. Even when admitted to the United States, Anthony learns that life in the new land is anything but certain. Anthony’s great-grandfather masters the language of America - English - and works his way through school, only to end up in the trenches of World War I, and then back in America during the Great Depression. Eventually, he starts a business, rises from poverty, and raises a family. To tell the story of America's earlier immigration experience, I used advanced digital photography to insert Anthony into historical photographs. And I didn’t stop with family history: Anthony meets famous American heroes and witnesses pivotal events of the 20th century. Anthony is pictured in the cockpit of the Spirit of St. Louis with Charles Lindbergh, on the moon with Neil Armstrong, in the laboratories of Thomas Edison and Jonas Salk, and on Normandy beach on D-Day (see photos at: www.MagicPictureFrame.com). Throughout the book, historical accuracy rules: Even Anthony’s conversations with America’s heroes are based on things they really said. While writing and photographing the book, I spoke with relatives of famous scientists and inventors, Holocaust survivors, award-winning biographers, and others who could help me ensure that the facts of the book were both accurate and vivid. The book includes more than 500 footnotes. But the book goes beyond a simple recitation of historical facts: the book presents the moral lessons of American history. The chapter about Lindbergh’s flight is really about choosing one’s destiny. The story of Lou Gehrig is one of a virtuous life. The chapter about Thomas Edison is really about business. The story of Apollo 11 is about wonder, taking risks, and courage. The story of Dr. Jonas Salk and the cure for polio is really about dedicating one’s life to a higher purpose. Anthony’s observation of D-Day and the liberation of the death camps during the Holocaust is a testament to the reality of evil and the need to fight it. Back to the immigration issue: When Anthony meets his immigrant great-grandfather at Ellis Island, it’s really a story about what it means to be an American. Anthony’s great-grandfather says: “I became an American because I believe in America, and it’s my belief in America that makes me an American.” Anthony comes to realize the simple truth of the statement, and remarks: “America is an idea as much as it is a place. I am no different than my great-grandfather and all the immigrants who came to this land: I can only be an American by choice.” It's not an easy book. The book challenges the reader to see the modern world in the light of the lessons of the past. We can't afford to raise a generation of Americans who do not value their country, their heritage, and their place in the world. As Abraham Lincoln said: America is the "last best hope of earth." Thank you. Michael S. Class Father / Author / Photographer / Publisher Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame: An American History Book for Right-Thinking Americans and Their Children ----------------------- E-Mail: class@MagicPictureFrame.com Web site: www.MagicPictureFrame.com

Posted by: michael class at April 05, 2006 02:47 PM (SfWc1)

12 This raises a couple of questions for me.. 1) Will they reject Spainish as their language? that was introduces by the Spainards WAYYY back in the 1500 and 1600s or so.. 2) Will they reject Christianity as well and revert back to human sacrifice like that Aztecs did? Okay, so maybe not the human sacrifice.. (insert your own virgin joke here) (copied from above) 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

Posted by: The Other Dave at April 05, 2006 03:25 PM (o03mE)

13 http://www.l*times.com/news/printedition/la-na-bush2apr02,0,3846108.story?page=3 Four years later, Sosa produced a variation of that video for the 2004 campaign that was mailed to Latino voters across the country. The video includes images that would probably rile those who today are calling for the most restrictive immigration laws. At one point, Bush is shown waving a Mexican flag. The footage was shot, Sosa said, during a Mexican Independence Day parade in San Antonio in 1998, when Bush was running for reelection as governor. The five-minute video, narrated by Bush, opens with an image of him fishing on his property near Crawford, Texas, as he essentially described millions of Americans who populate his home state as the true foreigners in someone else's native land. "About 15 years before the Civil War, much of the American West was northern Mexico," Bush says in the video. "The people who lived there weren't called Latinos or Hispanics. They were Mexican citizens, until all that land became part of the United States. "After that, many of them were treated as foreigners in their own land," Bush adds. He says the "Latino spirit" was fueled by "strong conservative values" of family, a strong work ethic, faith in God, patriotism and personal responsibility. "These values are my values," Bush says. "I live by them, and I lead by them."

Posted by: Andre at April 05, 2006 03:41 PM (/u+1F)

14 The Aztecs never ventured as far north as the Mexican border. Like Rome, in the day, they ran operations from their capital and extracted rents from tribes as many and distant as possible. Unlike the Romans, they weren't that big into road building: Cortez found nothing but trails. Not surprisingly, they didn't establish garrisons like the Romans, either. Bottom line: they didn't have that big of an empire.... It did not ever extend up into the dry deserts up north. It took the Spanish crown to provide any political linkage. It took the missionaries to provide ANY cultural linkage. Like the Aryan cultural history this one is totally fabricated. It's appeal to blood and land does come from Nazism. Reconquista needs to be slapped down all the way.

Posted by: blert at April 05, 2006 04:06 PM (MKbty)

15 >>>Reconquista needs to be slapped down all the way. The problem is that the Reconquista is not an armed movement that we can blow up with some bombs. It's a demographic explosion in slow motion that by the time we realize it's a problem it's too late. I worry that too many will come too fast for them to assimilate to OUR ways-- instead they'll just bring Mexico with them and turn us into a third world country. But I am grateful that Mexicans aren't violent religious fanatics of the variety currently overwhelming Europe from the middle east. That's the one thing we have going for us that the Euros don't. Latin Americans are not violent fanatics. They are good christians inculcated in Western values. They're a fairly passive people too, of good values and good work ethic when given the chance. So it's not all doom and gloom. It's the Leftists who want to use them that I want dead.

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at April 05, 2006 06:45 PM (8e/V4)

16 Be careful what you ask for. What do they think southern California will turn into if they turn it into Mexico? Come to think of it, perhaps the easiest way to deport most of the illegals is to just build a new fence with them on the other side of it. In that case, everyone wins. They get 'their' land back, and we reassert our authority over our borders. Maybe not. One the US left that land, everyone would be very eager to get the hell out of there just like they are from the rest of Mexico.

Posted by: Fred Fry at April 05, 2006 08:24 PM (HJnrm)

17 They are terrorists. Brown supremacists. The Aztecs made their capitol in Mexico City, not even close to Texas. They are F.O.S.

Posted by: RepJ at April 05, 2006 09:41 PM (Ffvoi)

18 You should all do some research before you make fools of yourselves making comments about issues you don't know anything about. Also, making vague, racist statements that are unsupported by actual facts is a cheap way of making yourself feel like you are worth more than others. Either way, in the end, you lose.

Posted by: memyselfandI at April 06, 2006 12:11 AM (SEZGy)

19 Yeah, that's right!

Posted by: memyselfandI at April 06, 2006 12:13 AM (SEZGy)

20 Oh yeah, one more thing: VALLANSE AL DIABLO PINCHES CABRONES!!!

Posted by: memyselfandI at April 06, 2006 12:15 AM (SEZGy)

21 memysefl, speaking of actual facts, Cesar Chavez was against illegal aliens because they made it harder for him to unionize the farm workers. In fact, Mr. Chavez used to report them to la migra. What do you think about that you fool.

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at April 06, 2006 12:15 AM (8e/V4)

22 Nuke Mexico.

Posted by: Andre at April 06, 2006 05:37 AM (/u+1F)

23 No, Andre, we shouldn't nuke Mexico, but rather just take it. I'm sure most Mexicans wouldn't mind since they pretty much all here now anyway, and then they wouldn't have to sneak back and forth at the risk of their lives, and they would actually get a less corrupt government. Well, somewhat less corrupt.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at April 06, 2006 01:32 PM (0yYS2)

24 IM, I agree. We could take over Mexico, change their corrupt system, and then Mexicans would no longer have to leave their country. These Leftwing immigration activistas are actually enabling Mexican corruption and the exploitation of their "indigena" brethren south of the border.

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at April 06, 2006 01:53 PM (8e/V4)

25 Lets celebrate the 4th of JULY and to hell the CINO DEMAYO and KWANZAA

Posted by: sandpiper at April 08, 2006 07:42 AM (bzZNq)

26 Talk about racist, look at the site www.aztlan.net. It is very anti-American and anti-semitic and very racist and very evil.

Posted by: Go Home at April 09, 2006 05:07 PM (IBaij)

27 Hey guys, i found this site via google news! I actually think its great that everyone is discussing this... because the truth only comes out when enough people question what has been stated as fact right? As far as "Mexicans taking over the land" i think its a joke, it'll most likely never happen. (You can never say never and never say always). But, what has been outlined in that aztlan (where did that come from anyways?) more or less actually depicts what used to be considered "mexican territory." Someone also stated that the capital is in Mexico City, far from "the border" (with the US). That is correct, but it is a little known fact that the "Aztecs" which were the predominent society, did rule that far. It is also sad to say that they didn't treat "native americans" (those we call indians in the US) very well either. But, because of their "advanced civilization" they did pick on them. For those of you who question what an advnaced society is, compare the aztecs to the romans in that they were HUGE because of their civil engineering and agriculture areas as well as in other areas. Now, to clarify, many look at mexico like its a country on the same level as one in africa. Mexico is really a different world that is most definitly not comparable to a "real 3rd world country." If you want to play the angle of "technically, yes it is" then i can say, The united states is not one of the largest economies in the world (as a whole), that is soley the west coast of the US, and more exclusively, California (which at least a few years back it was the 3rd largest individual economy in the world). And that is fact. Treat "those people like crap" and you can only imagine what'll happen to the rest of the US. Anyhow, Everything would be so much better if people kept asking questions and actually knew their history... "history is written by those who win." Many don't know what really happened when mexico "sold their territory to the US." I don't think it matters now. But what does is this, someone said "Do they even speak aztec?" Well, maybe not the actual aztec language, but there are still MANY 'native languages' spoken in mexico. As there were many different types of peoples living in its land. So if these people causing an uproar to "take the power back" are 2nd-3rd......10th generation "mexicans" i don't think they have any basis to claim anything. I myself am 1st generation "mexican american." Once your family has been in the country more than 1 gen you intigrate much better. Almost ALL 2nd gen and down that i've come across don't even speak spanish anymore! My father was a chemicle engineer sent to new york, and then relocated to Los Angeles. We 'migrated' legally. And to be honest, i've had racist teachers who left me with physical life long disabilities. I'm not crying about it, but i do know for a FACT that this 'stuff' still exists. So i say, "don't try to take back what is lost" but do say, "we have to learn to live with eachother or else everyone loses." Its that simple! And for those who claim "what racisim? i'm white, i get discriminated more than whoever else..." All i have to say is, when did the signs come down from public businesses that said "No dogs or niggers allowed"... and these are facts backed up by PICTURES. Can't we all get a long? - Rodney king I've moved on, i'm sure these others who want to be proud of something can too. That doesn't mean shut up and sit down, like a teacher used to tell us!

Posted by: Xavier at April 09, 2006 08:47 PM (9n7+q)

28 Just so you know, Aztlan was the land the Mexica people had before they were called Aztecs and before they founded Tenochtitlan on what it is now Mexico City. Aztec means "People from Aztlan" in Nahuatl, their native language. Aztlan was located, according to their legends, somewhere at the north of what later on would be Mexico, where now is California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. They left Aztlan searching for the "promised land", which would be revealed to them by an omen from their gods. That omen turned out to be an eagle eating up a serpent standing over a nopal tree. The legend was recovered during the independence and is still on the mexican flag. So Aztlan was really on the north, just before Tenochtitlan was even there. That being said, let me say I was born in the US from mexican parents and I think this whole "chicano" thing is just bad. If "chicanos" want to have their mexican ways they can very well return to Mexico. If they want to be in the US they better start working and adapting themselves to the society they want to belong. I am no chicano, I don't undestand that word and I don't share their views. I am a Mexican-American. And I will work and obey the law wherever I am and feeling proud of what I am. I am not a land-less person, I am a child of both worlds and I feel comfortable calling both home. I've been called "gringo" by my mexican relatives and "beaner" by my american friends and it doesn't bother me. I am both. So please stop the nonsense and let's get to work together. Taking sides it's just stupid and divides us.

Posted by: MexicanAmerican at April 18, 2006 10:21 AM (Mt0hc)

29 you guys either need to get a life or informed, if this is what you think MEChA is about you guys have seriously been misguided by whoever told you this is what mecha was because you obviously didnt make the opinion by yourselves, and no they dont want Aztlan back they want their rights as human beings back!!!!!

Posted by: Claudia at April 21, 2006 09:10 AM (vY8W7)

30 Claudia, follow the links. This what MEchA says they are all about. Go argue with them if you disagree with what they're saying.

Posted by: The Dread Pundit Bluto at April 21, 2006 10:18 AM (RHG+K)

31 Chicanos make me laugh! This is THEIR HOMELAND? Then I suppose my family of American Natives known as Apaches and Navaho never existed in the American southwest? Mecha Chicano's and Chicana's YOU SURE ARE DUMB! Go home to Mexico and fix your REAL HOMELAND. Aztlan is no more than a fantasy in their heads. But then anyone would wish to make the United States their homeland even if they have to make it up!

Posted by: Diane at April 26, 2006 06:53 PM (4wkLF)

32 Boycott Cinco De Mayo! Do not buy anything from the illegals from now on. We do not need their products or services and we do not have to go into their stores or restaurants anymore! Do not go into a business that hires illegals from any country!

Posted by: Support Legal Immigration at May 05, 2006 03:39 AM (SDY/L)

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