Student Group MEChA Holds Vote to Change Name, Prompting Strong Reactions

Following a meeting on Sunday, the Mexican-American student group MEChA is considering a name change. As the Associated Press reported, student leaders of the group voted almost unanimously to drop “Chicano” and “Aztlán” from the name—Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (“The Chicano Student Movement of Aztlán”). Some chapters also use the word “Chicanx” in its name. The students voted for this change after a discussion on whether the words are homophobic, as well as anti-indigenous and anti-black. The online reactions following the name change reflect the strong reactions as the organization heralds in a new generation of leaders.

“The members of the more than 60 other Indigenous tribes of the land contained within the nation-state of Mexico, or those whose ancestors come from the many tribes located south of Mexico, do not claim Aztlán as their homeland,” writes Nicolás Cruz, a member of MEChA’s Seattle University Chapter, in a widely-shared document. In the document she adds, “It is true that since its inception, MEChA has established that Chicanx ‘is grounded in a philosophy, not a nationality’… But what if the historical roots of Aztlán and its use in the Chicanx power movement are tied to Mexican nationalism?”

Others who were present at the meeting, and involved in the organization either in the past or present, shared their support for the decision on social media:

I agree changing MEChA’s name won’t change the actions of all individuals, but this is the first of many steps. Y’all expect change overnight & I’m really sorry to break it to you, but that won’t happen. We have to, and will, take action to restore MEChA’s unity.

— zo (@lencheeto) April 1, 2019

All the backlash about the MeChA name change is so ugly. Actual Indigenous folx, especially women, have BEEN saying why Aztlán is trash.

Also, stop using the word privilege when describing Indigeity. That is not what that means and you do not have the range.

— Elizabeth Ruiz (@Fish_Ruizearch) April 2, 2019

I was a co-chair of #MEChA back in the day. I’ve no problem with the #MEPA name change. #SaveMEChA from what? Social transformation? Carry on #MEPA — you know the goals remain the same: humanism, justicia social, and equity without elevating or dragging other folks.

— Dr. Rebecca Martínez (@BeckyGMartinez) April 2, 2019

As the daughter of an activist who helped found what became MEChA, I am in proud and full support of any measures that further inclusiveness and respect. We are in this together. Proud chicana, proud enough to make space for all. https://t.co/mPPKwmywhq

— margarita noriega (@margarita) April 3, 2019

While other past members —and, allegedly, the UCLA chapter which hosted the conference where the vote took place— were against the change.

“Maybe this should serve as a wake up call to many of us that maybe, just maybe, we should have remained active in the struggle and we should have worked w todays MEChistas” wrote Ron Gochez, a former MEChA chairman, on Facebook.

Everyone: Capitalism is killing the planet.
MEChistas who support the name change: Let’s argue the benefits of capitalism.#mecha

— Franzia Fanon (@Franzia_Fanon) April 3, 2019

MEChA is a student organization that “promotes higher education, cultura and historia” founded in 1969 in Santa Barbara, California. The group seeks to unite students under the principle of self-determination, and historically has become an agent of change across universities, via protests and on-campus organizing.

At the moment, it is unclear what the new name would be. Still, the vote took place, and now members are focused on ensuring that the change is more than symbolic.

The name change in MEChA won’t change anything unless you dismantle its structure. Sure I was apart of the process to change the name but that don’t mean it stops there at all.

— ??????? ???? (@nativbm98) April 2, 2019

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Amanda Alcántara is the Digital Media Editor at Futuro Media. She tweets from @YoSoy_Amanda.