By Alexandro Salomonó Escamilla
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 8, 1997

Chicana columnist adds important perspective

Editor:

This letter is in response to Marv Montez's letter written on October 6, criticizing Maria Ramirez's articles about Chicano issues and subjects. First off I'd like to say that I'm very proud to see a Chicana columnist in the Daily Wildcat who doesn't forget her people. I would also, however, like to say that I was very disappointed when I read Marv's letter and I wanted to educate him a little.

I'd like to start by asking what kind of vendido are you Marv? For once we as Chicano/Mexicano students have the opportunity to read about something other than White topics in our school newspaper and you complain. Let me explain something to you Marv, Chicanos have been citizens of this country for 150 years this February (since our land was stolen in 1848) and rarely have we benefited from the system. So what's wrong with working outside the system? This system you are saying we should work in still treats us as second class citizens and only values us as cheap labor.

Tell me Marv, if things have changed so much for La Raza and the "American Dream" is so attainable, then why do we still have racist legislation like Proposition 187, English Only, and anti-Affirmative Action Laws. The "American Dream" may have worked for you carnal, and vendidos like yourself, but assimilation into the so called "melting pot" has yet to work for me or the majority of Nuestra Raza. ¡Que Viva La Raza!, and may there always be Chicano/as in every profession and vocation who try to shake up the system.

Alexandro Salomón Escamilla
Chicano studies/ political science junior