Thread: La Reconquista

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May 23, 2005

La Reconquista

Joe Murray

“In the spirit of a new people that is conscious not only of its proud historical heritage, but also of the brutal ‘gringo’ invasion of our territories, we, the Chicano inhabitants and civilizers of the northern land of Aztlan from whence came our forefathers, reclaiming the land of their birth and consecrating the determination of our people of the sun, declare that the call of our blood is our power, our responsibility, and our inevitable destiny.� So reads the makeshift declaration of independence, El Plan de Aztlan, published by MEChA, a radical Latino group that advocates for the la Reconquista of California, New Mexico, Nevada and parts of Colorado and Texas, i.e. “Aztlan.�

The motivation and goals of MEChA are not subtle, but instead take the form a blunt club aimed squarely at the head of American culture and civilization. To the radicals of MEChA, “European� America, and its respective heritage, is an occupying force that has wrongfully laid claim to “Aztlan.�

El Plan de Aztlan continues by proclaiming, “Brotherhood unites us, and love for our brothers makes us a people whose time has come and who struggles against the foreigner ‘gabacho’ who exploits our riches and destroys our culture.�

The group continues by stating, “with our heart in our hands and our hands in the soil, we declare the independence of our mestizo nation. We are a bronze people with a bronze culture. Before the world, before all of North America, before all our brothers in the bronze continent, we are a nation, we are a union of free pueblos, we are Aztlan.� Pretty extreme rhetoric from a pretty radical group. But just how radical is MEChA in the politics of the American Southwest?

If the election of Antonio Villaraigosa as mayor of Los Angeles is any indicator, then it has become clear that the bronze battalion from South of the Border has left the fringes of American politics and has taken up residence at the Getty House.

Mayor-elect Villaraigosa is the City of Angels’ first Hispanic mayor since 1872, when the bustling metropolis was nothing more than a dusty outpost. After an examination of his policy positions and record, one must wonder if Villaraigosa is better apt to be Mayor of Mexico City. Villaraigosa has made it a point to protect Mexicans in the United States from having to assimilate to the American culture. Among some of the demands issued by this modern day Santa Anna are:

· Guaranteed education for illegal immigrants through
college;
· Drivers licenses for illegal immigrants;
· Free medical care for all illegal immigrants;
· Mandatory union enrollment for all illegal
immigrants;
· Free pre-natal care for illegal immigrants, paid
via Medi-Cali;
· Granting illegal immigrants “protected status;� and
· Amnesty for all illegal immigrants.

Contrast with Woodrow Wilson who stated, “a man who thinks of himself as belonging to a particular national group in America has not yet become an American, and the man who goes among you to trade upon your nationality is no worthy son to live under the Stars and Stripes.� Amazing how times change.

Make no mistake, Antonio Villaraigosa successful campaign to be Mayor of Los Angeles is proof positive that the immigration invasion that is consuming our southern border is dramatically altering the cultural fabric of the Southwest. Mexican heritage is not American heritage, for we do not speak the same language, praise the same heroes, and read the same literary classics. We are neighbors, not family members.

Unlike those immigrants that have preceded them, Mexican immigrants pose a special dilemma to this country. Due to geography, Mexicans, unlike the Irish of yesterday, do not have to cut ties with the nation they left behind. Because of the close proximity of Mexico and America, Mexicans need not be worried with assimilation to the American way of life. Rather, it has become quite apparent that while many Mexicans are physically present in this country, their loyalties lie with Vincente Fox. Thus, while America may fill their wallets, it is Mexico that fills their hearts.

Doubt this statement? One need only look to a soccer game between Mexico and the United States that took place in L.A. a few years back. The fans of Mexican decent booed the Star Spangled banner, spit on American players and desecrated the American flag. U.S. midfielder Preki Radosavlievic stated, “we were treated better when we played down there (Mexico City).�

The change in the Southwest’s cultural climate better serve as a wake-up call for open border advocates, for the melting pot is running over. The battle over immigration is not about xenophobia or racism; such are just red herrings offered to distract from the real issue. The battle over immigration is about country, family and heritage.

As declared by MEChA, the battle for Aztlan is not about money, it is about whose culture will reign supreme. As stated by MEChA, the same grouped once chaired by the new L.A. Mayor, “education must be relative to our people, i.e., history, culture, bilingual education, contributions, etc. Community control of our schools, our teachers, our administrators, our counselors, and our programs.� The new Mexican invasion of immigrants is not about assimilation, but instead addresses separation.

It has been said that those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it. During the early beginnings of Texan history, the Mexican government opened the doors of Texas to Anglo settlers. These new settlers did not have to embrace Latino culture, speak the Spanish language or pay homage to Mexican heritage. They did, however, have to pay taxes. As Sam Houston taught Santa Anna, if a country is to remain united, it needs more than just a common currency.

--Joe Murray (jrm@waidelaw.com) is a civil rights attorney practicing in Tupelo, Mississippi. Murray is a former Staff Attorney for the American Family Association and has also served as National Director of Correspondence for Patrick J. Buchanan’s 2000 Presidential bid. Murray has been a guest on numerous radio and television talk shows, including the O’Reilly Factor.

A Lawyer Writes....something nice!!! GoodOne, jp!!