Latino conference to focus on power through education
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The masses are gathering and mobilizing... a "sense of brown pride" :( What is it about the "unwelcome" mat don't they understand? Oh ... they "speaka no English" .. so they couldn't read the big "you're not welcome and certainly not wanted!" sign. :cry:
Latino conference to focus on power through education
Yvonne Wingett
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 15, 2005 12:00 AM
Latino students today will learn just how important they are to the future of Arizona.
Even though they are poised to become an increasingly bigger role in Arizona, they lag in politics, education and community involvement.
Educators and community leaders will give them nuggets of information to catch up at Phoenix College MEChA's Statewide Student Success Conference called Education: Opening Doors of Opportunity.
About 500 "MEChistas" from high schools, colleges and universities across the state will learn the importance of higher education, Chicana/Chicano issues, diversity and the history and structure of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanos de Aztlan, or MEChA.
"We're trying to educate young people and reach them through this conference," said Michael Nuñez, vice president of MEChA at Phoenix College. "As a student, an advocate for student success, it is my opportunity to make sure that others that come behind me reap the benefits of education."
A sense of brown pride, racial unrest and Chicano nationalism inspired by the teachings of farm worker leader Cesar Chavez fueled the formation of the organization in 1969. It was built largely on a desire that America's "other minority," Latinos, be recognized for its struggles and aspirations, though some MEChistas have been criticized for playing ethnic politics as some members seek to recapture the historic Southwest that was once owned by Mexico.
But today, students will focus on preparing for college, financial-aid opportunities and Arizona politics. Two former MEChA members, former state lawmaker John Loredo and Rep. Steve Gallardo, will talk to students about politics and issues surrounding Arizona's anti-illegal immigration law, Proposition 200.
"If anything positive came out of Proposition 200, it is that it has motivated and really energized the younger Latinos within our community," said Gallardo, a Phoenix Democrat. "If you look at the rallies, the recent (Dignity Walk) we had at the Capitol, you see Latinos at various ages coming out. MEChA is a perfect example."
Louis Olivas, vice president of academic affairs at Arizona State University, will speak on the state's future demographics.
"Many of them are probably not aware of the important role they will play on our future," said Pete Dimas, Phoenix College liberal arts instructor and MEChA adviser.