What is MEChA?
Thread started by
tern at 07.2.09 - 3:32 pm
I first encountered people from this group at the junior college I attended in the early nineties. At first, I was intrigued by their rhetoric (from the handbills I had seen strewn about the campus. But, my opinion changed, when one Thursday morning, I was verbally bombarded by a MEChA member on a microphone in the school's quad. He was yelling at my girlfriend and I, who were walking by their gaggle on the path to another class. He told us to go back to Europe, where we belong. Well, I have never been to Europe. So, I stopped listening to them or reading their handbills. What has become of them. I guess they didn't have a chapter at the university I went to after transfer. So, what is up with them? Do they still exist? Are they good or bad---right or wrong, in your opinion? What, exactly do they want to achieve, as a group? I am honestly interested.
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"go back to europe where u belong."
wtf?
that doesnt sound good at all.
KiMS107.2.09 - 3:33 pm
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Well, I thought so, too. But, I don't know if the member was officially speaking as a conveyor of MEChA's official rhetoric...or if he was just an asshole.
tern07.2.09 - 3:37 pm
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"early nineties"
this doesn't sound good either
Destroyer07.2.09 - 3:37 pm
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do u know what MEChA stood for?
im guessing u already searched for it online
KiMS1 responding to a
comment by tern
07.2.09 - 3:40 pm
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http://www.nationalmecha.org/
would that be it???
KiMS1 responding to a
comment by tern
07.2.09 - 3:41 pm
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it used to be a progressive social organization for chicano college students. now it's little more than the latino equivalent of the KKK. very sad.
tortuga_veloce07.2.09 - 3:43 pm
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No, I didn't look it up...for one reason. I think the people I talk to in the wider realm of SC people...especially online...have a great amount of knowledge and perspective, collectively. I want to hear from the source. Hopefully I can hear from people on both sides of the approve / disapprove spectrum to get an more accurate and full message of what, exactly, the group wants to achieve...and what the group is like in detail. So, I put it to all of you.
tern07.2.09 - 3:48 pm
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....and without a bunch of childish fighting and snipery. (I should have mentioned this in my last post.) So what is up with you MEChA? And, who is MEChA, everyone who isn't part of the group, or formerly part of the group?
tern07.2.09 - 3:51 pm
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Okay...for a lack of responses (thanks for those who did respond with their insights) I did look it up. I went to the official site. It looks very progressive regarding immigrant rights. Nothing wrong with that, in my book. But, I didn't delve into the site. I wanted to hear from fellow Angelinos. And, I did hear some of you...just not as much detail as I wanted. I guess I will have to just wonder what they are all about. I will sign this one out, now...unless there are any people out there with direct experience from within the organization...or from without.
Okay, thanks for the posts. Laters on this thread.
tern07.2.09 - 4:15 pm
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MEChA folks are good people- at least from the ones I worked with at UCLA. Each chapter has its own character of course. I met MEChistAs at Yale who were simply about making sure Chicanos were breaking into politics. I've met MECHistAs at SDSU who were ready to take up arms, 60s and 70 style. It's a large organization with varying viewpoints and characters, just like any other large organization.
sciencefriction responding to a
comment by tern
07.2.09 - 4:20 pm
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Here we go...thanks friction.
I guess the person on the microphone didn't speak for the group as a whole. I would still like to hear from members....or former members.
Maybe I will write an article on this. I would like to, but I won't take a subjective view (my brief experience) to be the basis. Of course I would have to do some research outside of MR, but I want to hear directly from people in the place where I first experienced MEChA, as a group.
so...
tern07.2.09 - 4:28 pm
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I think MECHA is ok.
People in general have a tendency to get too nationalistic, and that becomes the problem.
However, I will support MECHA over those yahoo Minute Men any day!
Joe Borfo07.2.09 - 4:29 pm
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hopefully the guy that called u out got a firm talking to.
KiMS1 responding to a
comment by tern
07.2.09 - 4:32 pm
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I hear you, Borfo...It's not like they are some militaristic group, trying to isolate themselves for the millennium or the new world order or the apocalypse or whatever...I just have an interest in what MEChA is about and how it works--and what members want, on a personal level and an organizational level. I'm just curious. And, it seems like a rich subject for writing.
tern07.2.09 - 4:36 pm
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You should talk to them directly. Legitimate and fair research doesn't happen over internet forums.
You can find the MEChA chapter at UCLA at Kerckhoff Hall. You can also talk to people in their projects in the Student Activities Center at UCLA. They run at least 2 big projects: one aimed at tutoring and counseling high-risk populations at local LA high schools and a counseling and retention project for at -risk UCLA students to make sure they graduate and don't drop out.
Just be sure you're honest about your intent and what you want to learn. Often, neo-con republican students at school would snoop around trying to twist and misinterpret what a progressive group was about, so don't be surprised if they're hesitant to respond because they don't know you.
sciencefriction responding to a
comment by tern
07.2.09 - 4:43 pm
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man...I moved some months ago. And, I hope to be able to move back to Los Angeles. I am on an Island off of the coast of Florida, at the moment. I have a job here, which doesn't have anything to do with journalism or creative writing. A neocon, I am not. Many others on this site will assure you of this...and I understand your warning. But, I don't have much access to the people who make up this organization. And, I am interested in what it is all about. I don't want people to read me press releases. I want to hear from the people at the source....so, I thought I'd give MR a try. Also, thanks for your help, sciencefriction.
I guess I should give an email for this stuff...I am afraid of doing it, but I will:
toesandteeth@gmail.com
There you go.
tern responding to a
comment by sciencefriction
07.2.09 - 5:08 pm
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I knew people who were in MECHa, they were really cool. Very progressive. The ones I knew were from here, So-Cal, so they were much more open to sharing and discussing with non-chicano, but that's because we live in a much more diverse community, and racial tensions are considerably easier or lighter here. In areas where racial tensions are strong, their reactions will likely be more aggressive.
In general, as a group, they're no worst or better (depends on your point of view) than any other group designed to contend with the status quo and social "norms".
the reverend dak responding to a
comment by sciencefriction
07.2.09 - 5:10 pm
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thanks Dak. I am not trying to categorize MEChA at all. I just want to hear some stories...get a feel for what someone who is (or used to be) a MEChistA is, exactly, working to achieve, or is fighting or looking for....in detail. I would also like to know what it is like to go to a meeting, for example....or to lead a demonstration. Also, what is it like for support in families of MEChA members? Do parents support, or disdain, a members efforts?
My question is not about support of immigrant's rights (which I do whole-heartedly support). What I am looking for is the workings and the culture of something that is called MEChA....in detail. Is this an inappropriate or wrong question to ask? I think you obviously agree with me.
tern07.2.09 - 5:28 pm
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okay...whatever...nevermind.
Looks like MEChA is not a group among MR people....at least in the last three hours.
tern07.2.09 - 5:32 pm
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it's just a national organization which has chapters at various campuses. like greenpeace or a fraternity or whatever. it's for chicano/latino rights and empowerment. since the campus groups consist largely of 18-year-old poly sci/sociology students they tend to range from extremely chill to absolute batshit insane militant wannabes.
there is nothing particularly exciting about them, except that right wing talk radio likes to pick on them as domestic terrorists and other hilariously stupid shit, because you know, thats what right wing talk radio does.
stevestevesteve07.2.09 - 5:38 pm
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Old school mmorpg players have members in their ranks. The MECHas I've encountered are very tight knit with each other almost like a secret society.
tivu07.2.09 - 5:41 pm
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