What is M.E.Ch.A?

MEChA is an acronym for Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan. MEChA is much more than a club -- we are a Naitonal student organization that unites all Chicano students in their quest to enhance the development of our society through education. We believe that political involvement and education is the avenue for change in our society. In order to do this we need an organized and focused organization with committed leaders and members who are willing to be role models for our community. We must be willing to build an demonstrate strong character in mind and body if we are to accomplish significant change in attitudes and behavior in our families, friends, acquaintances and leaders.

Our Goals

To affirm and celebrate our diversity amongst our members. This affirmation and celebration is significant in the development of positive and strong cultural identity among Raza students.

To involve students in discussing and acting on social-political issues relevant to our community. Political activism is significant in producing civic-minded youth in our communities.

Developing leadership among students. Provide students the opportunity to learn group dynamics, planning, staging of organizational activities, leadership development and host of other skills transferable to other settings.

Academic achievement and completion. We strongly believe that self-determination of our community is based on an educated community. This notion of academic achievement and completion is significant in terms of leadership, economics and community.

To build a sense of carnalismo or unity among Chicanos/as and all other students on our campus and in the community.

Provide opportunity for students to share and be connected with MEChA students of local, regional and national high schools and colleges.

Educate ourselves and others about Chicano/a culture, history, traditions and accomplishments,

To build relationships with youth to get underprivileged students into college and onto success. Also, to serve as a bridge for students making tetras between high schoolman.

What can I expect to gain out of MEChA ?

MEChA is training ground for leadership. Through participating and coordinating MEChA events, one can gain invaluable leadership skills. Mechistas also have the privilege of helping fellow students and their community in addition to finding a sense of identity and self-empowerment. It is a learning and fulfilling experience that helps develop a political consciousness and provides a sense of familia.

How MEChA was created

The Chicano Movement, of the late 1960's helped spark cultural and historical pride in our people. Chicanos/as demanded to be treated as equals, denounced acculturation, and assimilation. Chicanos/as expressed their pride through poetry, literature, art and theatre.
In March of 1969 the Crusade for justice organized the first National Chicano Youth Conference in Denver, Colorado. At this conference the Plan de Aztlan was drafted; giving way to the Chicano movement. This document asserts that Chicano/a must work to better the conditions of their communities.
Following the National Chicano Youth Conference, in April of 1969, over 100 Chicanos/as met together at the University of California Santa Barbara to formulate a plan for higher education; El Plan de Santa Barbara. With this document they were successful in the development of two important contributions to the Chicano/a Movement: MEChA and Chicano Studies.
The contributions of the Chicano/a Movement are numerous and continue to be valuable to our society today.

Our Guiding Documents

MEChA has three guiding documents: El Plan de Aztlan, El Plan de Santa Barbara, and the Philosophy of MEChA. Our gu ding documents serve as the base for MEChA. They serve to guide our organization and outline our philosophy and principles.

Our Governing Documents

Each chapter is governed by its respective constitution, central constitution, regional constitution, state wide constitution, National MEChA constitution and Philosophy of MEChA.

External Structure

Mechista - An individual who adopts the philosophies of MEChA.
Chapter - The group of Mechistas at a particular campus that work together.
Central - A collection of chapters in a particular area or community.
Region - A collection of Chapters/Centrales in a particular area or state/s. (There are ten regions in MEChA. Alta Califas Norte, Alta Califas Sur, Calpulli Montanas del Norte, Centro Aztlan, Centro Califas, Este Aztlan, Mictlampa Chiuatlampa, Midwest, Pacific Midwest, and Southeast Tejaztlan)
National - The ten different regions in MEChA compose our National MEChA.

MEChA today

Our gente still faces the same problems of the 1970's, Chicano/a junior high, high school and college push out rates have risen since 1969, forcing many Chicanos/asto life in poverty. These factorsalong with growing right wind trend in the nation are combining to work greater hardship on Chicanos/as. New repressive an racist immigration laws are continuously directed at our Gente. Thus MEChA's spirit of activism is conduced within experience and expression for the betterment of our community.

What is "Chicano"?

The word chicano is derived from MEXICA (Me-shi-ka), the name of the people that wondered from Aztlan to Tenochitlan. Meaning "people of the earth".

Chicanismo is the tie that binds all members of MEChA. Chicanismo is carnalismo, responsibility and commitment to all Chicano brothers and sisters throughout the university and community regardless of their socioeconomic status. Chicanismo further implies a respect for us as Chicano, for our history, our culture and our values. Therefore, the term Chicano is grounded in a philosophy not nationality. Chicano is a state of mind, not a birthright.

What is Aztlan?

Aztlan was the homeland of the Mexicas. Geologically it is believed to be the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Today we see Aztlan as not necessarily a defined territory. Instead, it is more of an idea, in which Raza no matter class or specific nationality sees one another as familia. It is a means of unification. It is an understanding and realization that we share a common experience living as Raza in US society. Our communities all face similar social problems such as poverty, the need for bilingual education, racism, ect .....

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