By María del Sagrario Ramírez
Arizona Daily Wildcat
November 14, 1997

MEChA's belief in democracy has given them exactly what they deserve

Arizona Daily Wildcat María del Sagrario Ramírez

Looking over the shoulder of another student while waiting for the shuttle Monday afternoon, I was pleased to see another article about the MEChA reunion. Luckily, when the shuttle finally came there was an extra copy of the paper. Quickly, I scanned over the article happy to see a non-Chicano covering the event. Just then, two other students boarded and sat a few seats down. One of girls requested the next stop - also my stop - and I noticed she had a copy of the Wildcat, too.

"Oh my God! Another article about this MEChA shit," she said, obviously not having noticed me yet. "This is like, just a stupid party."

Suddenly, her friend's startled eyes met mine and I saw her friend nudge the other girl. At the time I can't recall what expression I had on my face, but what ever it was, those girls sure-as-shit didn't get off that bus with me.

"Party ain't over yet, girlfriend," I said looking straight at her as I walked of the bus because I wanted to make damn sure they knew I was talking to them. And I thought my racist article a few weeks ago had made a difference. Shaaah!

Although the reunion ended last Friday, the efforts of Chicanos within our communities, whether Mechistas or not, is far from over. It was not just the celebrating of 30 years of Chicano history, but also the continued organization of past, present and fu ture Mechistas.

As Chicanos we should continue to fight against the registered stereotypes of a militant group.

As the Chicano movement escalated, what white America's limited and naive experience only would allow them to see were long haired Mexicans, brown, angry faces clad in militant fatigues and brown berets who they quickly used as scapegoats. What they would n't see were the college students discussing legitimate mistreatment of Chicano and Mexican American students.

Sure these students were angry, hell, they were pissed! For years, they had been ridiculed by incompetent teachers who refused to take up the challenge and spirit of truly teaching. Imagine being discouraged by a counselor from attending college and being tracked and manipulated into low-paying labor jobs? Outrage was all these students had left, and with nothing to lose it was probably the angriest student who became the first Mechista.

So those who founded MEChA were courageous young people, bold enough to join and confront the educational system that had denied them education and success, they chose to walk along side their Raza.

These students started MEChA when its wasn't safe to be brown and when it wasn't cool to be different.

Armed with the power of knowledge in their minds and passion in their hearts, Mechistas fought against the system that orphaned them and held firm for what they thought they deserved.

Just like any fraternity, sorority or other student organization on campus, MEChA philosophy is rooted in its name.

MEChA is about love and respect, in love with their people, rooted in their community, and loyal to their culture.

Movimiento means movement, that movement toward self-determination for their Raza. Estudiantil means student group, which identifies the group and its future. Chicano/a is a term of honor and pride of a people committed to returning to their communities, fighting together against oppression. Lastly, Aztlán, the mystical and legendary birthplace of the Aztec Empire, which is today the southwest.

In short, Mechistas were and continue to be students who discover their identities and take pride in both their indigenous and American heritage, focusing on self-determination through higher education, committed to our communities and young people and lo yal to each other, regardless of their differences.

Taken from a essay I was given, it's true to say:

Not all those who are brown are Chicanos, and not all those who are Chicanos are brown.

So, it would be safe to say. Not all Chicanos are Mechistas. Not all Mechistas are Chicanos.

Yet, to reach our goals, we can find balance in our differences to continue the struggle. We feel just as comfortable at a rally while wearing a suit, as we do wearing a T-shirt and jeans while sitting behind a judge's bench. Mechistas are everywhere and they are as loyal to each other as they are to the cause because in the end, it's all about solidarity.

Without changing too much of Monday's lead, I leave you with this image and this quote:

"They had long hair," so shiny and so black, it was blue ... "Fist in the air," always reaching for the sky, "voices so loud, it was impossible for history to forget them" and the injustices that were threaded in their souls.

I'm a Mechista, my 14-year-old daughter is a Mechista and my grandchildren will surely be Mechistas.

What Mechistas believed then and believe now, whether they call themselves Chicanos, Mexican Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, one quote by Tom Robbins comes to mind:

"To achieve the marvelous, it is precisely the unthinkable that must be thought."

María del Sagrario Ramírez is a senior majoring in Mexican American studies and journalism.