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MEChA is a nationwide student organization.
The chapter at Cal State San Marcos is just one of the many in the state
of California and in the Southwest, but we retain the right to determine
our own course of action under the general goals and objectives of the
liberation of La Raza (i.e. Chicano Mexicano/Latino). MEChA stands for
Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan.
HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
The fundamental principles that led to the founding of Movimiento Estudiantil
Chicano de Aztlán are found in El Plan de Santa Barbara (EPDSB).
The Manifesto of EPDSB sees self-determination for the Chicana and Chicano
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; and 6) EPEDA, as a basic plan
of Chicano and Chicana liberation, sought the formation of am independent
national political party that would represent the sentiments of the
Chicano and Chicana community.
Both EPDSB and EPEDA served as the historical foundation for the establishment
of a viable Chicano and Chicana Movimiento, and are therefore, fundamental
to the M.E.Ch.A. philosophy.
M.E.Ch.A.'S PHILOSOPHY
The Chicano and Chicana student 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, Chicano and Chicana junior high, high school
and college push-out rates have risen since 1969, forcing many Chicanos
and Chicanas to a life of poverty. These factors along with a growing
right wing trend in the nation are combing to work greater hardships
on Chicanos and Chicanas. New repressive and racist immigration laws
are continuously directed at our Gente. The Federal government is campaigning
to pacify and assimilate our Gente by labeling us "Hispanic."
The term "Hispanic" seeks to anglicize and deny our indigenous
heritage by ignoring our unique socioeconomic and historical aspect
of our Gente. These factors have made it necessary for Movimiento Estudiantil
Chicano de Aztlán to affirm our philosophy of liberation (i.e.
educational, socioeconomic, and political empowerment) for our Chicano
and Chicana 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
* To promote Chicano Mexicano/Latino
herritage, identity, and culture.
* To educate our gente and act on issues
that affect La Raza
* To encourage Chicano Mexicano/Latino
students to stay in and finish high school; recruit them and help them
finish college, thus so they can better serve and empower the community.
* To strive for social justice, equal
and adequate education, economic and political power for La Raza .
* To build alliances and to cooperate
with local and national organizations ( for example, American
Indian Student Alliance, Pan-African Student Alliance, Mexicanos
Unidos en Defensa del Pueblo, Raza Rights Coalition, Union
del Barrio, United
Farm Workers, American
Friends Service Committee, National
People's Democratic Uhuru Movement).
La Union Hace La Fuerza...
In Unity There Is Strength
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