MEChA

What does M.E.Ch.A. stand for?

M - Movimiento - signifies that the organization is dedicated to the movement for self- determination and identity.

E - Estudiantil - identifies the organization as a student group

Ch - Chicano - here lies the fire of the name. it is a symbol of pride, a new identity for those of us taking an active role in our destiny and the struggle against oppression.

A - Aztlan - the name of the original birthplace of the Aztecs. Today is is known as the American Southwest

The principles the led to the founding of MEChA can be found in "El Plan de Santa Barbara". El plan came about as a means of organizing the Chicano/a communities to achieve self-determination in order to gain socio economic justice. Emphasized in El plan is the need for cultural preservation and socio political equality.

At the 1969 National Chicano Youth Conference in Denver, Colorado a basic draft was created for the movement. It includes:

-We are Chicanos and Chicanas of Aztlan reclaiming the land of our birth

-Aztlan belongs to indigenous people, who are sovereing and not subject to a foreign culture

-We are a union of free pueblos forming a bronze nation

-Chicano and Chicana nationalism, as the key in mobilization and organization, is the common denominator to bring consensus to the Chicano and Chicana movement

- Cultural values strengthen our identity as La Familia de La Raza

- El Plan Espiritual de Aztlan, is a basic plan of Chicano/a liberation, sought the formation of an independent national political party that would represent the sentiments of the Chicano and Chicana community.

The Chicano and Chicana student movement rose about in an effort to empower or brothers and sisters to take control of our destiny and channel our energies in the struggle for self determination and self identity. Opposition to the struggle has been overwhelimng and many Chicano/a young people have been denied the opportunity for higher education and greater mobility in the American social structure. These factors have been imperative in the empowerment and persistence of the Chicano/a movement and its influence in the upcoming millenium. We mush affirm the MEChA philosophy of liberation for educational, socioeconomic and political empowerment for all Chicanos and Chicanas. MEChA's are found in nearly every state at nearly every major college institution bringing together Chicanos and Chicanas who share the same vision and philosophy and these students are growing stronger everyday. The movement may have had its most active days in the 60's but today we have no forgotten what it has taught us and we share that everyday with eachother and the people around us. It is imperative that we remember who we are and where we come from, and that we help those who come after us to remember the same.

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