Theme Proposals
These are the themes proposed by Northern Arizona University and Alta Califas Aztlan, if you or your chapter have any concerns, revisions, corrections or anything that concerns the proposed themes for this years conference please attend the national liaison meeting on February 25th at Northern Arizona University.
Centro Aztlan Region Theme Proposal#1 ( follow link)
Centro Aztlan Region Theme Proposal #2
THEME: Resist, Organize & Overcome Racist Attacks on
our community
1) Resist (Goals)
a. Resist the attacks that displace us in our indigenous land.
b. Resist the attacks of our voice through language.
c. Resist the miseducation of our people.
d. Resist the traditional concept of the nuclear family.
e. Resist the laws that rob us of our human rights.
2) Organize (Objectives)
a. Unify the people of Ixachitzlan from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego (Chile) with
the goal of true freedom in our indigenous land.
b. Value and retain our ability to communicate in our native and/or mestizo
tongues en la casa, la calle, y en la escuela.
c. Educate nuestra gente about our cultures, histories, and accomplishments and
challenge gender biased, euro-centric school systems.
d. Release and destroy societal conceptions of single parent and same sex
households y familias.
e. Defy legislation that denies human rights through marches and rallies , and
expose violations of human rights.
3) Overcome (Accomplishments of El Movimiento)
a. GET FREE! Return to and secure freedom in our indigenous land with respect to
all languages and culturas, knowledge of self and others, love, and humanity.
Califas Theme Proposal
Throughout history, the image of the immagrant has
carried with it negative connotations although immigrants are the foundation of
the United States of America. Our gente are invited and encouraged to
participate in the “American Dream” during economic prosperity, yet during
economic hardships our same gente are become scapegoats and dehumanized. An
example of this can currently be seen in Arizona through Proposition 200. By
denying education, healthcare, and other social services, Proposition 200 is a
clear attack human rights, yet M.E.Ch.A.’s resistance has been mediocre. It is
time for M.E.Ch.A. to strike down Proposition 200.
Although several strides have been made to move forward within our struggle,
many setbacks have taken their toll on our progress. Obvious and overwhelming
hindrances are the laws, legislations, and policies lingering within our
political system. Although Proposition 187 is no longer a physical threat to
California, similar laws such as Proposition 200 in Arizona are part of a long
list of strategies this government is using in order to further oppress our Raza.
These however are not isolated issues. (i.e. Ca prop 187 and other examples)
Similar legislation is present throughout the whole nation. M.E.Ch.A. will not
accept such dehumanizing laws, nor will we be silent.
M.E.Ch.A. was initially created with the critical responsibility of liberating
our people. All Mechistas are to carry the ideology of Chicanismo to our
communities and families in hopes of spreading our values to defeat injustice.
However, social oppression within our people has been so profound that
resistance to its elimination is strong, yet “we must be optimistic” (7).
We must continue the struggle and seek justice for our gente through Chicanismo.
Chicanismo is what we as Mechistas strive for. “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 Aztlan” (6). Far too often we view
ourselves on the exterior of our communities. However, we must keep in mind that
every time a Mujer is degraded, we the people of Aztlan our degraded. Every time
a Raza student is denied access to higher education, nuestra Raza is denied
education. Every time a Raza worker is exploited, all Raza is exploited. We are
one family: we are one gente. We must come together as a movement against
classism, homophobia, racism, sexism, xenophobia, and other
bigotries/oppressions.
Human rights are embodied in Chicanismo and our papels. We seek liberation
through education but will not compromise our history or the movement. Our goal
is to unite within the perimeter of truth. Therefore by embracing all of our
brothers and sisters in the movement by reaffirming our philosophies, we will
take action in the face of oppression and stand on our feet in the face of
ignorance; for if we do not, who will
Alta Califas Sur M.E.Ch.A. Region proposes “End Dehumanization: Strike Down Prop
200!” as the theme for the 13th annual M.E.Ch.A. National Conference.
OBJECTIVES
1. To become more educated on proposition 200 and find ways in which it may be
struck down. 2. To Proactively prevent the creation and implementation of
similar policies throughout the rest of the nation.