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| The Chicano Movement 40 years later |
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I recently received an email from an esteemed colleague of mine, Francisco Miraval who was asked by the EFE News Service to write a story about the 40th anniversary of the Chicano Movement. He inquired as to my willingness to be interviewed and asked me the following questions that I would like to humbly share with The Weekly Issue/El Semanario’s readers.
EFE:What has been accomplished since 1969?
RDC: La Raza has gained local and national victories in every aspect of social life including but not limited to education, politics, economics, government, business, and social justice. The recent appointment of Sonia Sotomayor as the first Latina Supreme Court Justice demonstrates that through education and constant pressure, La Raza will eventually take its rightful place in history and society. President Obama’s appointment sends the message that La Raza is being taken seriously as a political force in the country.
Education has been touted as the great equalizer. The development of Chicana/o Studies Programs/Departments at colleges and universities is a significant victory of the Chicana/o movement as we construct the knowledge that will liberate our people. We have more politicos with la conscience in influential positions than ever before. Many have concomitant readiness to take on real issues and struggle for human rights and civil liberties. César Chávez’ birthday is on the road to becoming a national holiday. In Denver, the Denver City Library recently celebrated the life and times of Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales. There are educated Latinas/os in every profession and discipline that exists. These are significant accomplishments.
EFE: What hasn't been accomplished yet and why?
RCD: We should always keep in mind that social change is a slow cumbersome process. Movements never die until social justice is achieved. However, they take on different characteristics and forms as groups struggle against overwhelming forces. Social justice is a dialectical process where two opposite and contradictory forces are in conflict over power and where inertia can set if when one group becomes apathetic. Struggles requires resources; something that our communities seldom posses. You can rest assure that the power brokers will expend the necessary resources to keep power and control in society. What we possess is intelligence, ganas and positive energy when harnessed correctly can create poder. That is something the system cannot take from us. As long as we work in communion with our people we will achieve social justice.
Although, there is yet a lot of work that needs to be accomplished and we are still disproportionately represented in prisons and welfare lines; therefore, la gente continues to luchar for the liberation of la comunidad. Immigration is at the forefront of the struggle as Mexicanas/os continue to be exploited on both sides of the border. According to one of the latest Gallup polls, “The 61% of Republicans who now say they would like to see immigration decreased is up from 46% in 2008. At the same time, the 46% of Democrats and 44% of Independents who would like to see immigration decreased represent shifts in the same direction, up from the 39% and 37%, respectively, who said the same in 2008.” Public policies like NAFTA that are seemingly geared towards business tycoons is one of the contradictory forces that keeps the struggle alive. What we need to work towards is developing leadership from both the Mexicana/o and Chicana/o communities that will come together to forge a united front. Once this occurs, the power brokers will respond with even more regressive legislation. México’s political stranglehold on its people has been tested by Los Zapatistas whose historical slogan of “tierra y libertad” is not going to disappear from the radar screen. This message crosses the border and reminds us that oppression continues.
EFE: Are the concepts of Aztlán and La Raza still relevant today? Why?
RDC: La Raza is a historical term; a binding thread between/among the Bronze people of the world. It will never fade away. With the discovery and analysis of La Mapa de Cuautinchan, Dr. David Carrasco from Harvard University has reinvigorated the concept of Aztlán as no longer just a myth; but a reality that can result in future reparations for La Raza. Its discovery legitimizes our existence. We are a people with a land, which essentially is a basis for continued struggle.
EFE: With almost 70 percent of children under 10 in the US being Latino, what is being done to connect those children, the future of the country, with their roots and traditions?
RDC: América is becoming a bilingual nation. La Raza continues to resist linguistic imperialism. Communication is a human endeavor as language persists as a strong force that is at the base of social life. However, the reality is that Bilingual Education, particularly in Denver Public Schools, has been under attack. It no longer exists, watered down into immersion classes that deculturate the children. We have succumbed to the whims of the policy makers as language slowly withers away. The current economic recession that has crippled America has spillover effects on the question of immigration as la gente returns to México. This in turn impacts the question of culture and language. The presence of los Mexicanos reminds us of roots. It also reminds us of our painful past; but also serves as a catalyst for continued resistance.
Youth rebellion can be the saving grace for El Movimiento. Youth have taken advantage of new technology and used it as an education tool with hip hop artists and rappers that tell the contemporary stories of cultural genocide. They are aware that school districts continue to chip away at their roots which impact their identities.
EFE: Is there anything else you would like to add (an anecdote, a quote, etc.)?
RDC: La Raza has the power to construct the knowledge to liberate itself. A philosophy that emanates from La Raza can never be destroyed.
Dr. Ramón Del Castillo is an independent journalist.
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