guerrillera/os de la pluma, fall 2003

GUERRILLEROSJournal Of La Raza Press Association Fall 2003

Established In 1991

• La Verdad • La Calles y La Torcida • Voz del Pueblo • Aztlannet.com •• Voz Fronteriza • Medios de Aztlan • El Popo • Barrio Aztlan • Sexto Sol • Calaca Press •

www.razapressassociation.org

Community Activism and the Struggle for Raza Liberation within the

National Association For Chicana Chicano Studies (NACCS)

See “NACCS” Page 6

By Ernesto Bustillos

Editor’s Note - This article is re-printedfrom Voz Fronteriza, Spring 2003, Vol.XXVIII No. 3.

On April 3-6, 2003, the NationalAssociation for Chicana Chicano Stud-ies (NACCS) held its annual conference.Organized under the theme “NO MOREWARS: Sovereignties, Sexuality's, andHuman Rights”, close to 500 people fromthroughout occupied America (UnitedStates) attended this year’s NACCS con-ference. The conference was held at theBiltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

The conference location, theBiltmore Hotel, is of significant impor-tance to the struggle for Raza self -de-termination, as it was here, that in theSpring of 1969, 13 Chicano activists wereaccused of arson and disruption of aspeech being delivered by then gover-nor of California, the fascist RonaldReagan. All of the the 13 activists werelater to be acquitted.

Several members of Union delBarrio made presentations at the confer-ence and struggled within the Commu-nity Caucus of NACCS to make it morerelevant to the needs of the Mexicanocommunity . In fact, as far as we know,we were the only pro-Raza liberation or-ganization that made presentations at theconference.

We participated in the confer-ence because we believe in working to-wards bringing the science of ChicanoStudies back to its original goal of utiliz-ing research and publications as a wayof empowering the community and mov-ing forward the struggle for Raza libera-tion. While we have had, and continueto have, serious criticism of the directionthat Chicano Studies and NACCS havetaken, we still believe that it is a viableand important weapon in our people’sstruggle for justice, peace, and liberation.

This is why in 1982 we began aprocess of forming a “Chicano StudiesConcilio” in San Diego made up of profes-sors, teachers, and community activists.The establishment of the Concilio (whichincluded Imperial Valley County) was for-malized in 1985 and a conference was heldat the University of California, SanDiego(UCSD) in May of 1985. Moreover, through-out the 22-year history of Union del Barrio,we have participated in Chicano Studiesrelated issues and events.

BRIEF HISTORY OF NACCSChicano Studies, and subse-

quently NACCS, were products of theChicano Power Movement of the late1960s and early 1970s. Many activists ofthat period of struggle understood clearlythat our movement needed an intellectualand academic component that would pro-vide us with the information needed to con-struct clear and scientific strategies ofstruggle, as well as the documentation andexpansion of our understanding of the cul-ture, historic, and political realities facingthe Mexicano communities north of the mili-tarily imposed border.

During this period, movimiento ac-tivists held literally thousands of protests,crashed school board meetings, organizedschool walkouts (or blowouts, as they have

often been called), forcing school dis-tricts, colleges, and universities to imple-ment Chicano Studies courses through-out occupied America.

According to NACCS docu-ments, the idea of a national network ofRaza scholars and students began toreach actualization in 1972. It was at ameeting of the Southwestern Social Sci-ence Association (SSSA), which wasbeing held in San Antonio Tejas (in 1972),where a caucus of Raza faculty and stu-dents, separated from the rest of theSSSA, sat down to discuss the need fora “Chicano scholar activist” formation.

Shortly thereafter, a meeting wascalled for by these academic and move-ment activists under the name of NationalCaucus of Chicano Social Scientists. Attheir first gathering, which was held onNovember 17, 1973, at the University ofCalifornia-Irvine, the members of the cau-cus voted to change its name to the Na-tional Association of Chicano Social Sci-entists (NACSS). At its third gatheringin 1976, the group changed its name tothe the National Association for ChicanoStudies (NACS). Yet another namechange occurred in 1995 in Spokane,Washington, when the participantsmoved to change the name to the Na-

DE LA PLUMA

2 Guerrilleros de La Pluma

Journal Of La Raza Press AssociationFall 2003

Objectives:1) To Establish A Raza News-Wire Service.2) Hold On-Going Workshops And Conferences To Ad-vance Raza journalism.3) Establish An Editorial Board To Oversee Joint Publi-cations.4) To Pool Existing Resources To Assist PublicationsAnd To Establish New Ones.5) That A “Collection” Of Periodicals, Past, And Cur-rent, Be Established.

Principles Of Unity:1) Must Be Raza Publications Independent Of Govern-

ment Agencies (Excluding University Publications).2) Must Support The Struggles Of All Raza, Within AndOutside The U.S.3) Must Adhere To Democratically Reached Decisions.

Membership Criteria:1) Membership Is Limited To Raza Involved In Media AndPress.2) Members Must Work/Link-Up With Existing PublicationsIn Their Areas.3) Representation/Input To The RPA Will Be Through Offi-cial Representatives Of Members Publications.4) To Be A Member In Good Standing, Members Publish Or

Post Information on a regular basis.5) Membership In Not Extended To Multinational Orga-nizations.

Structure:1) Mesa Directiva/Editorial Board Will Consist Of Chair,Secretary, And Treasurers.2) Mesa Will Serve As Coordinating Body To InsureCommunication And Completion Of Tasks.3) Mesa Will Also Serve As Editorial Board For JointRPA Publications.4) Standing Committees Will Be Established As Needed.

Guerrilleros de La Pluma

EditorsErnesto Bustillos

Luis Moreno

LayoutLuis Moreno

Photographs/GraphicsVirginia Sanchez

Francisco Romerowww.viequeslibre.org

www.bellyofthebeast.org

ArtistLouie H. Moreno

ContributorsErnesto Bustillos

Cesar A. CruzRalph de Unamuno

Victor M. Rodriguez DominguezMari Castañeda Paredes

X. Guerra

Raza Press AssociationEditorial Board

Luis MorenoErnesto Bustillos

Jose MorenoFrancisco Romero

By Ralph de Unamuno

razapressassociation.org 3

Raza Press, Media, And Popular Expression Fall 2003

By César A. Cruz (teolol)

Editor’s Note - César A. Cruz is a human rights freedom fighterfrom Jalisco, Mexico. Currently, Mr. Cruz teaches for the PeacefulSchools Project of the Bay Area. Mr. Cruz currently serves as amember of Pacifica Radio's Program Council at KPFA in Berke-ley, CA. He travels throughout the year lecturing at variousschools, universities, community centers and rallies. You canread some of his writings at www.brownpride.com/cesar or checkout his website at: http://home.att.net/~teolol/

I state nothing new. There‚s a white-out on all things brown bythe corporate media when it comes to Latinos, to Indigenouspeople, to La Raza.

But, if we commit a crime or are suspect to one, we are all overthe news, all over television shows like CopsÔ. We star onCopsÔ so much we should at least be getting royalties.

I state nothing new. 40,000,000 million people are straight upinvisible in any national magazine or newspaper.

But instead of complaining or trying to be in their newscast we

create our own. We demand to be covered adequately and truth-fully but we don‚t wish to be a part of the AOL/Time Warnerpyramid scheme.

We are the Raza Press.

Instead of slanging rock we slang news with pamphlets, momand pop operations, and community newspapers. Don‚t get uswrong just cuz‚ we don‚t wear ties, doesn‚t mean we‚re not pro-fessionals. We just don‚t need to wear the suit or play the part.

Unlike some doctors who need white lab coats to feel profes-sional we report on napkins if necessary at the scene of corpo-rate crime or a mass rally. We value grandma‚s oral history andthe vato‚s testimony.

We are the Raza Press and no war, no government, will stopour will to speak the truth. We do it from the front lines or fromjail cells. Even if you incarcerate our reporters you can‚t incar-cerate the truth.

We will not stand idly by, ¿Y qué?

We Are The Raza Press

By Ernesto Bustillos

Editor’s Note - The following is Part II ofbrief summation of a presentation givenby Ernesto Bustillos at the annual SanDiego State University MEChA HighSchool Conference. Ernesto Bustillos isa member of the editorial board of theRaza Press Association and Union delBarrio. The conference took place onSaturday, November 23, 2002.

The role or objective of theoppressor's propaganda is to keep peoplein a situation in which those who rule oursociety, the rich white racists, can easilyexploit us. When we say exploit us, wemean the ability for them to make us workfor low wages, control the land whichrightfully belongs to us, and have thepower to use the natural resources of theworld for their exclusive benefit.

To understand what we are deal-ing with, we have to understand that therich are not stupid. The rich oppressorsknow that a conscious people cannoteasily be oppressed or voluntarily accept

INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM AND PROPAGANDA

A Conscious And Politically Awaken People,

Scares The Hell Out Of Rich Peopletheir oppression. Therefore, they work harddo anything in their power to keep thepeople ignorant and unconscious. Themedia, and the propaganda it produces, isthe most effective tool at their disposal. Itkeeps most of us ignorant and uncon-scious.

Not only does propaganda of therich keeps us unable to struggle, but to addinsult to injury, it uses us as “scapegoats”.It blames us for problems that they, the richthemselves, have created. This is why wehave the great majority of white peoplehating us and blaming us for all their prob-lems. It here, within the oppressor's pro-paganda, where we find the answer to thatfact that many of our own people hatethemselves.

It is the propaganda of the rich thatexplains the problems –yet no one seemsto care, much less do something aboutthem –which are faced by so many of ourpeople. For example:-The fact that the police and migra dailybrutalize, harass, and humiliate our people.-That the education we get is not relevant

to our realities or our needs.-Where we witness a situation whereRaza do the hardest, dirtiest, and lowestpaid work.-That thousands upon thousands of Razaare arrested daily and sent to prisonwhere they are harassed and often tor-tured by racist prison guards and officials.-The fact that while we make up 50% ofthe population in California, less than 4%of the university and college students areRaza.-And the reality that we rarely see Razain positions of power (government offi-cials, owners of large businesses, profes-sionals, etc.).These are just some of the problemswhich face our people.

You know that what we are say-ing is true. All you have to do is lookaround you. We’re not exaggerating. Wedon’t have to exaggerate.

To us, it is particularly sad thatthe oppressor’s propaganda has brain-washed most of us to believe that its natu-

See “Propaganda” Page 8



Vieques, Puerto Rico:Vieques, Puerto Rico:Vieques, Puerto Rico:Vieques, Puerto Rico:Vieques, Puerto Rico:

With Peace, Empires Can Be DefeatedWith Peace, Empires Can Be DefeatedWith Peace, Empires Can Be DefeatedWith Peace, Empires Can Be DefeatedWith Peace, Empires Can Be DefeatedBy Victor M. Rodriguez Dominguez

Editor ’s Note - Victor M. RodriguezDominguez is an Associate Professor atthe Department of Chicano and LatinoStudies at California State University,Long Beach. He is presently working ona book manuscript about the role of race,ethnicity, class and gender in contempo-rary Latino politics,

4 May 2003

"Other nations in history have fought inforeign lands and remained to occupy andexploit. Americans, following a battle, wantnothing more than to return home. Thatis your direction tonight."- President Bush, May 1, 2003

"Fuera la marina" (U.S. Navy Out!)"-The people of Vieques. May 1, 2003.

Empires are built and maintainednot only through might and power but alsoby myth. As we begin another century, anew phase in U.S. empire building is be-ing revealed to the world. Our nation hasunveiled a new "calling" to defend peaceby waging war. At the beginning this thecentury, this country waged another war,the Cuba, Spanish American War of 1898to purportedly bring the benefits of democ-racy and civilization to the new posses-sions: Puerto Rico, Cuba and thePhillippines. In flyers reminiscent of theones distributed over the skies of Iraq, an-other general, General Nelson Miles, toldthe people of Puerto Rico:

" We have not come to make war uponthe people of a country that for centurieshas been oppressed but on the contraryto bring you protection . . . to promote yourprosperity, and to bestow upon you theimmunities and blessings of the liberal in-stitutions of our government."

In recent times, empires are notonly being built with powerful armies andsuperior technological prowess, they arealso built with symbolic representationsthat mask the crusades as efforts to upliftthe colonized subjects. During the Iraqwar, the war for public opinion was as so-phisticated and strategic as the war on

the ground. The Iraqi army was no matchfor the United States' armed forces, butshaping United States' public opinion, af-ter increasing antiwar organizing, was amuch more formidable objective. The U.S.had toconvince the citizens of this countrythat this was not merely a war for oil or ret-ribution, the elite had to convey the mes-sage that this was a war of liberation, awar to uplift the oppressed.

While history does not necessar-ily repeat itself, in the 18th Brumaire ofLouis Bonaparte, Karl Marx says, "Hegelremarks somewhere that all great worldhistoric facts and personages appear, soto speak, twice. He forgot to add: the firsttime as tragedy, the second time as farce."However, this time around, the farce hasno comedic content. In the Caribbean,where it all began 500 years ago, a newpage in a new century is being written. The10,000 citizens of Vieques have defeatedthe mighty U.S. Navy and have won thefirst stage in their struggle for peace. Daviddid defeat Goliath in what is another chap-ter of anti-empire movements that have along history in this part of the Americas.

The Caribbean, for centuries wasthe stage for many historical events thathave shaped the world as we know it. Thefirst major encounter (albeit not really thefirst one) between the two civilizations thatshaped America took place as ChristopherColumbus, lost on his journey to India, wasdiscovered by the indigenous people ofGuanahani, in what today are the Baha-mas. Columbus, in a second trip to the

Americas, landed on the shores of PuertoRico in 1493. The Tainos, the indigenouspeople of the Caribbean, thought the Eu-ropeans were deities. In that epic of con-quest, the Spaniards also representedtheir war of domination as a way of up-lifting the "savages" from ignorance andheathenism. The Spanish were to "liber-ate" the Tainos of their gold, their landand even their lives. But in exchange,they would be Christianized and placedin encomiendas, a system of indenturedservant hood much akin to slavery. Theywould be deprived of their liberty on earthbut they would achieve their eternal free-dom in heaven.

The cruelty of the Spanishserved to challenge any notion that theywere godly emissaries. In fact, it was rightthere in the Caribbean where the first anti-imperialist mass movement began. Butthis effort could not have been conductedif the Spaniards were thought of as su-pernatural beings. The Tainos set aboutto conduct the first empirical test held inthe Americas, on November 1510, in theGuaorabo River of Puerto Rico. That day,the Tainos drowned a Spanish man calledDiego de Salcedo. The news of the deathof the Spaniard spread across the islandlike a wildfire. Later next year, in 1511Agueybana II led a rebellion againstPonce de Leon, the Spanish governor.While the Tainos were defeated, theylearned that the Spaniards were mortalslike them. But the Spanish empire lastedfor 500 years more until during the

See “Vieques” Page 9



Communications Policy And Its Influence OnCommunications Policy And Its Influence OnCommunications Policy And Its Influence OnCommunications Policy And Its Influence OnCommunications Policy And Its Influence OnSpanish�Language Media In The U�SSpanish�Language Media In The U�SSpanish�Language Media In The U�SSpanish�Language Media In The U�SSpanish�Language Media In The U�S

Sexto Sol: Radio from Occupied Aztlan

By Mari Castañeda Paredes

Editor’s Note - Mari Castañeda Paredesis an Assistant Professor in the Depart-ment of Communication at the Universityof Massachusetts at Amherst. She is cur-rently writing several articles on the cul-tural production of Spanish-languagemedia, and the development of broadcastdigital television policy in the U.S.

Latinos, especially Mexicanos,are the fastest growing segment of theU.S. population. As their numbers surge,they will undoubtedly change the cultural,political and economic composition ofNorth America in the 21st century. Thefact product marketers are spending bil-lions of dollars on advertisements in or-der to capture the Latino imagination con-firms the growing importance of Raza inthe political economy of the U.S. Yet, aswe all know, market power does not au-tomatically translate into political power.In order create a progressive Raza move-

ment in the U.S. that is able to challengethe current political structure, Raza activ-ists, scholars, community members, andlabor organizers need to mobilize informa-tion flows as a way of fostering critical andengaged discussions about democracy,justice and self-determination is an increas-ingly globalized North America. Alterna-tive as well as mainstream Spanish-lan-guage and bilingual mass media are es-pecially important in this process.

However, many people are un-aware of the change to media ownershippolicies that are currently taking place atthe Federal Communications Commission(F.C.C.), and the ways in which thesechanges may negatively affect Spanish-language press and broadcast media in theU.S. It is true that commercial Spanish-language broadcast media has not neces-sarily been a bastion of leftist, alternativeor progressive thought, but it has histori-cally offered the Latino (and largely Span-ish-speaking) audience a different perspec-

tive to the stories published or broadcaston English-language mainstream media.It is imperative that we begin examininghow the changes underway at the F.C.C.are restructuring the cultural, political, andeconomic character of Spanish-languagemedia, and threatening the future of di-verse and alternative programming on es-tablished and emerging Latino mediaoutlets. These changes may well possi-bly have broader implications for laRaza’s struggle for democracy, justiceand self-determination.

THE SHIFT IN U.S. COMMUNICATIONSPOLICY

Much of the Spanish-languagemedia expansion of the 1990s is the re-sult of the deregulatory policies of theTelecommunications Act of 1996, one ofthe most important legislative acts of late-20th century that essentially displacedthe sixty-year old public service-orientedCommunications Act of 1934. This his-

See “Sexto Sol” Page 10

See “Spanish-Language Media” Page 10

By X. Guerra

Editor Note - Sexto Sol is a weekly pro-gram on aimed at educating, entertain-ing and reaching out to all members ofthe community. Our music is a mix ofSpanish and English-language rap/hip-hop, old-school Tejano, rock en españoland other styles (corridos, norteño, etc.).The one-hour show originates from 90.1FM KPFT in Houston. Sexto Sol is mem-ber of the Raza Press Association.

“This... is radio from Occupied Aztlan.”

It’s Tuesday at 10 p.m. After thatintro, rides in Houston, Texas are poppin‚with Chicano gangster rolas, the jamsfrom back in the day, rock en espanol orconscious hip-hop poetry. Maybe it’s theRoyal Jesters or Los Tigres Del Norte,or Califas Raza putting it down on themic, or Mr. Lif doing “Home of the Brave.”

But it ain’t all about music fromthe streets. The music fades out, and thetalk and call-ins start. A young Mexicano

calls in and says police beat up gang-affili-ated gente like himself and his friends be-cause they were drinking in a park inBarrioGulfton. Another week, a professoris a guest to talk about how Raza are join-ing the military because they have no wayto fund their educations, and are the firstones sent to die. Maybe it’s a veteranofrom the rap game like Ernie G. of ProperDos doing an interview or letters from thepen.

The program is Sexto Sol, a one-hour program that promotes “music, streetknowledge, cultura y mas” on 90.1 FMKPFT.

Sexto Sol started in 2003 with thegoal of educating La Raza and giving a fo-rum for talking about politics from the block.Sexto Sol also puts it down on global sub-jects, because what happens on the worldstage will affect the barrios at some point.

The show is hosted by ErnestoAguilar, who started doing radio in 2000because he says he felt the current radioselections were weak. “On English and

Spanish language radio, I think there’s abelief that miseducated and dumb are thesame thing -- nobody wants to speak thetruth because the stations think Razaneed to be addressed like small childrenor that they don’t analyze what they’retold.” He says, “I come from the perspec-tive where being miseducated by a set-tler school system is done to stop us, butcan’t take away our power to think for our-selves and for the liberation of ourpeople.”

Radio, Ernesto says, is sup-posed to be a people's forum. No matterif you are able to read and write or youreconomic status, chances are peoplehave radios. Revolutionary forces in Co-lombia and Mexico have used radio toreach the masses because it is effectiveand reaches many people.

Ernesto adds that radio can bea forum for what is on the community'smind. When the Chicano rap under-ground was reeling over the prison sen-



tional Association for Chicana andChicano Studies (NACCS) in recognitionof the contributions to the science ofChicano Studies by women. NACCS isthe name under which the group presentlyfunctions.

The association’s first annualconference, in 1974, was organized un-der the theme of “Action Research: Com-munity Control.” It is precisely this themethat clearly upholds our position that theoriginal objective of Chicano Studies wasto utilize academics (research, writings,and so forth) to further “Chicano Power,”which during the last period of strugglemeant the right of Raza to self-determi-nation: the freedom of Raza to determineour economic, social, and political future.

With all the short comings of anew science, during this period, ChicanoStudies contributed greatly to informingRaza about its true history and culture,as well as to identify the elements respon-sible for our continuing oppression. It chal-lenged racist stereotypes, exposed themany ways that capitalist system wasoppressing Raza, taught strategies andtactics needed to defend ourselves, andprovided socio-political and economicparadigms by which we could criticallystudy society and thus organize in our owninterests and for our human and politicalrights.

During its first five to six years ofexistence, Chicano Studies scholars pro-duced a wealth of material dealing withthe question of culture, politics, and eco-nomics from a Raza liberation perspec-tive and with the objective of moving ourstruggle forward. Hundreds of historybooks, research papers, novels, short sto-ries, biographies, and books of poetry,were produced during this period. Build-ing upon the works of precursors ofChicano Studies such as Ernesto Galarzaand George I. Sanchez, scholars suchas Rudy Acuña, Elizabeth Martinez, JuanGomez-Quiñonez, Armando Navarro, andmany, many more, had their beginningsduring this early stage of Chicano Stud-ies history (1968-1975).

NACCS SUFFERS AS A CONSE-QUENCE OF THE DESTRUCTION OFTHE CHICANO POWER MOVEMENT

But as most people who havestudied the history of our people’s strugglefor self-determination know, by 1975, as

a result of a vicious and brutal attack bythe United States government, our move-ment had been destroyed. Under thegovernment’s Counter Intelligence Pro-gram (COINTEL), all progressive and lib-eration oriented movements within the bor-ders of occupied America, such as theBlack Power, Chicano Movement, Ameri-can Indian Movement, Asian Movement,and the Peace Movement were targetedfor destruction. Employing physical andpsychological warfare (false arrests, policebrutality, murder, intimidation, drugs, etc.),by the mid 1970s the government had de-stroyed or neutralized all movement forma-tions.

WITHOUT A LIBERATION MOVEMENT,CONFUSED AND UNDER ATTACK BYTHE SYSTEM, NACCS MOVES AWAYFROM A COMMUNITY-CENTERED SCI-ENCE

Without a national liberation move-ment to guide it or make it accountable tothe community, Chicano Studies andNACCS began a transposition from its origi-nal goal of creating research and informa-tion to be utilized for community control andself-determination, to one focused on indi-vidualities and winning acceptance frommainstream academia. Indeed, ChicanoStudies and NACCS had separated itselfso much from community and self-deter-mination politics, that by the 1980s it wasin the verge of extinction.

Without a movement to providesupport, direction, and accountability,NACCS gatherings became less and lesscentered around community power, andmore and more on dealing with questionsof sexuality, personal self identify,and aca-demic career advancement. The politicsof national liberation began to take secondplace to the politics of sexual orientationand petty bourgeois individualism. This hasbeen the case for more than ten years andthis year’s NACCS conference was to alarge degree, representative of this trend.

As we have commented in the past(please see past issues of Voz Fronterizaand La Verdad), many of the scholars ofthe early period of Chicano Studies actu-ally participated in the struggles of thatepoch. Whereas today, most practitionersof the science of Chicano Studies are notactive in any kind of struggle or membersof any independent (from corporate or gov-ernment funded) community organizations.

Moreover, some scholars who

have benefited from the struggles wagedby activists in the late 1960s and early1970s, have attacked Chicano Studies.This is clearly witnessed by the actionsof the uncle tom UC Regent WardConnerly and the vendido contributor tothe L.A. Times, Gregory Rodriguez, bothwho have accused progressive Chicano/Latino, African American, Native Ameri-can, and Asia scholars, of being reversedracists or stuck in a movement which haslost its its relevance.

Union del Barrio has identifiedthe enemy of our people and that of allpeoples planet earth, as capitalism andimperialism. Therefore we base ouractivism, whether its on the issue edu-cation, the question of prisons, labor,political power, culture, and so forth, asone that is guided by the fundamentalsof national liberation and class struggle.

As we have written widely in thepast, all forms of oppression –whetherit’s sexism, gay bashing, chauvinism, andracism –have their roots in and are keptalive by the capitalism system underwhich all of us exist. Therefore, the onlyway we are going to destroy all forms ofoppression and create a just and equalsociety for all, is by destroying capital-ism and imperialism. This is why we saythat class and national struggle must bethe principal guiding force of our move-ment.

CHANGING THE CURRENT COURSEOF NACCS: ADDRESSING THE MOSTIMPORTANT ISSUESFACING OUR COMMUNITY

While we understand thatChicano Studies and NACCS will not beable to completely return to its originalgoal without a strong mass movement(which currently doesn’t exist), a processof rectification can be initiated by thosescholars, students, and community orga-nizations who are committed to Razaself-determination. This means that in anon-antagonistic or exclusive fashion,Chicano Studies scholar activists, in unitywith community activists, must began tomove toward making NACCS more com-munity relevant and politically active.This process can be implemented with-out excluding any sector of our commu-nity (gay, straight, worker, community,prisoner, or student); but it does call fortaking a stand for NACCS to address thepriorities which are facing the great ma-

“NACCS” From Page 1



jority of the Mexicano-Raza community.These include:

•Cut backs in health, education, and so-cial services•Raza continue to hold the lowest payingand most dangerous jobs•Bilingual Education and Chicano Stud-ies at the primary and secondary schools,with few exceptions, no longer exist•Affirmative Action programs have beeneliminated•Racist attracts and hate crimes againstRaza continue to grow•Hardly a day goes by when someonedoesn’t die crossing the militarily imposedborder•The United States has declared war notonly on Raza, Africans, and other nation-alities within its borders, but has madewar against other nations as the centralcomponent of its foreign policy

These are the burning issues fac-ing Raza and these are the issues thatChicano Studies and NACCS must ad-dress. Otherwise it will continue to be iso-lated from the community and the move-ment. And, if this isolation continues,soon there will no longer be any ChicanoStudies.

OUR WORK WITHIN NACCSUnion del Barrio has centered its

participation in both making presentationsat workshops and panels, and within theNACCS Community Caucus. Inactive forseveral years, the Community Caucus iscurrently chaired by Union del Barriomember Jose Moreno (who is also amember of the Committee On RazaRights).

At this year’s conference, theCommunity Caucus presented severalresolutions for consideration to theNACCS general body in an effort to redi-rect the focus of NACCS to its originalgoal. These resolutions were:Whereas:

1. ...there is a need to establish a ChicanoStudies at the newly formed CaliforniaState University, Channel Islands;Be it re-solved that that NACCS affirm supportand assist Raza working to established aChicano/a Studies Department at Chan-nel Islands.2. ...there is a need for more mass dis-semination of the NACCS Newsletter;Beit resolved that NACCS put online

(internet) its newsletter.3. ...there is a tremendous need for pro-moting more community input into NACCSconferences and activism from ChicanoStudies scholar/students;Be it resolved thatthe community Caucus hold a Plenary atevery NACCS conference.4. ...there is a need for Chicano Studies to“return to the source” (the community) andshow a physical presence in ourcommunity;Be it resolved that NACCS willorganize/sponsor a series of communityforums organized under a campaign to betilted “The Importance of Community Ac-tivism Within the Science of Chicano stud-ies”.5. ...after thorough discussion and feedback from various community based orga-nizations, and we found there is a criticalneed for NACCS to refocus its efforts toreach out to the community/barrios;Be itresolved that next year’s NACCS confer-ence will ensure that a t least 30% of theworkshops/panels be focused on commu-nity issues and solution based.6. ...the last conferences have not beenreadily accessible to community groupsand organizations;Be it resolved that thenext location of the NACCS be geographi-cally and financially, community friendly.7. ...we need to have more community in-volvement at NACCS conferences;Be itresolved that at the next NACCS confer-ence would encourage community groupsto set up tables of information and/or saleof items, with not cost them or a minimalfee (taking into consideration rules of loca-tion where conference is being held).8. ...there is far too many workshops andpoor attendance at many workshops;Be itresolved that next year’s NACCS confer-ence, without being unreasonably exclu-sive, reduce number of workshops andpanels.9. ...the majority of the early morning work-shops/panels are poorly attended; Be itresolved that workshops/panels should notbe scheduled any earlier than 9 AM.10. ...Chicano Studies must be action andsolution oriented;Be it resolved thatNACCS go on record of calling on allChicano Studies Departments/Programs toinclude a section of courses centered onCommunity Studies curriculum.11. ...NACCS must show it support for thecommunity and progressive issues;Be itresolved that NACCS go on record of en-dorsing the “March Against The War and

For Social Justice At Home” to be orga-nized by the Raza Rights Coalition (RRC)on May 3, in San Diego, California.

While only resolutions one, two.four, seven, ten, and eleven were passedby the general body of NACCS, we nev-ertheless saw our participation as a vic-tory in our efforts to redirect NACCS to amore community based and activist ori-ented science.

THIS YEAR’S NACCS CONFERENCEHAD ITS POSITIVES AND ITS NEGA-TIVES

Those of us who attended thisyear’s NACCS conference witnessedboth positive and negative aspects of itsproceedings and content.

Certainly its most positive aspectwas the strong discussion and concernfor the war currently being waged by theUnited States against the people in theMiddle East. By all accounts those pan-els and workshops addressing this issuewere the most well attended. These dis-cussions severed as a point of unity forthe diverse forces present at the confer-ence.

It was stated several times thatChicano Studies was born as anti-impe-rialist science and must continue to beso. Lively discussions, reminiscent ofthose that took place during the anti-Vietman War movement, took place. Thishas to do with the activism and directioncoming from COMPAS (community po-litical actions) Caucus and the leader-ship of professors Jorge Mariscal, ReneNuñez, and Raoul Contreras.

Another positive aspect ofNACCS is that it continues to leave aspace open for community groups suchas Union del Barrio to express their ideas.Our presence provided a world view thatmany of those attending the conferencewhere not aware of.

On the negative side, we con-tinue to witness that the majority of thepanels and workshops of NACCS are notsolution or community activist based. Wealso see that NACCS has not developeda process by which to make its member-ship accountable to progressive and ac-tivist politics. Furthermore, NACCS con-ferences need to place as its priority,those issues that effect the masses ofcommunity. And finally, NACCS confer-ences must no longer be held in expen-

See “NACCS” Page 8



sive hotels that are out of reach in to mostof our community.

WE MUST CONTINUE TO STRUGGLEWITHIN NACCS

While we were disappointed thatthe most of the resolutions arising fromthe Community Caucus were not passed,we reiterate the fact that Chicano Stud-ies and NACCS continue to be viablecomponents of our people struggle forjustice, peace, and self-determination.And until NACCS loses all connectionsto our struggle, we encourage all move-ment formations to struggle withinNACCS to make it more community rel-evant and a science of struggle on theside of liberation for Raza and all op-pressed people.

ral for things to be this way. We havebeen brainwashed into thinking that it isnormal for us to exist in poverty and mis-ery; that we should accept things as theyare; and that there is no way we canchange things.

THE RICH NEED PROPAGANDA TOKEEP US ASLEEP

But history, if we bother to studyit, teaches us otherwise. It teaches usthat once the people know the truth, thegreat majority will fight back and join oth-ers in a struggle for their rights and inter-ests. And this scares the hell out of therich people. A conscious and politicallyawaken people, scares the hell out of richpeople. This is why the rich need propa-ganda. They need it to keep us asleep.

Well, just like they need it to keepus asleep, we need liberation propagandato awaken us. This is the contradiction.This is the conflict that exists between thetwo kinds of propaganda. I hope you arepaying attention, because it is this con-tradiction which this workshop is attempt-ing to address.

In order to fight back, to destroythis contradiction, we must understandhow the rich capitalist media functions.Only by understanding how the media ofthe rich work, can we develop actions thatwill effectively tear apart the chains it hasover the brains of our people. It’s likeeverything else; you can only solve aproblem by understanding it. And the un-

derstanding that we are talking about to-day, can only come about through the criti-cal study of propaganda. Therefore wechallenge you to look at things critically andwork to develop a propaganda that willawake our people, motivate them, and po-litically inspire them.

Our propaganda must be funda-mentally different than that of theoppressor. The role our propaganda is toto liberate, raise the consciousness of themasses, and move them into action. Thisis why our propaganda must be guided bysome fundamental principles. Principlesare rules that govern or guide the way youbehave or act. Some basic principles ofour propaganda must be:

-We should always tell truth. If we lie, thenwe are the same as the oppressor and haveno right to call ourselves liberation activists.-We should never exaggerate. The issuesand the problems confronting our peopleare bad enough. If we explain them clearly,the masses of our people will understandexactly why we are angry and why we wantto change things.-We don’t pretend, as the capitalist racistmedia does, to be “objective”. We are not“neutral” in this war. We are on the side ofliberation and against oppression.-We must always state clearly where westand. Don’t play it two ways. Even if peopledon’t agree with you, if you are upfront withwhere you stand., they will respect you,

WHY IS MOVIMIENTO JOURNALISMNECESSARY?

Today, we see that there is analmost total absent of movementjournalism. All one has to do is “lookaround” and we will see that there is virtu-ally no propaganda that puts out the viewsof the Mexican-Raza masses; we aretalking about the workers, barrio youth,women, students, prisoners, and others. Asa result, there is no alternative to the brain-washing, confusion, and demoralizationimposed by the mainstream media. Thesituation for our people is so critical thatthere are no words that can describe theurgency for a journalism in the service ofour people. There is a war taking placebetween those who want to control thebrains of our people and those of us whowant to liberate them, and we are losingthe war.

TRUCHA WITH THE VENDIDO MEDIABefore we close we want to say

something about the vendidos. Thevendidos are those who sell out theinterests of our people for the money orprestige that this system will providethem. Most of these vendidos callthemselves Hispanics. We have to cometo terms with the fact that the “Hispanic”media is not about liberating nuestraRaza. We must not be fooled. TheHispanic press is not about serving theinterest of the La Raza. For all intentsand purposes, the Hispanic media arenothing but “mouth pieces” for thecapitalist-racist oppressors. Why?Because most Hispanic publications areeither own by the capitalists or dependon them for their survival. They owe theirexistent to the rich white capitalists andare not about to bite the hand that feedsthem. Almost every city where we findRaza, we will find these sell-out Hispanicrags that try to pass themselves of asnewspapers.Here in San Diego we haveLa Prensa and El Sol. But you have themeverywhere.

LIBERATION JOURNALISM IS A SERI-OUS BUSINESS

All oppressed people need amedia that is on the side of their strugglefor liberation. This kind of media can onlybe produced by those who are politicallyadvanced, well organized, disciplined,and willing to take risks. The system willnot stand for competition and will doeverything in its power to destroy theliberation media. They will even go asfar as using violence. They have usedviolence in the past, they are using it to-day, and they will use it in the future. Thisis why you have to be wise, logical, smart,and organized. We must alwaysremember, liberation journalism is aserious business.

That is way we have put togethera hand book for young people [thebooklet was handed out during theworkshop]. It explains what is propa-ganda, gives examples of propagandatactics that are used against us, andprovides a step by step guide on how toorganize, produce, and fund your ownpublication. And, it gives you concreteexamples of newspapers, flyers,brochures, that Raza activists havesuccessfully used in the past.

Copies of the booklet are available bycontacting the Raza Press Association.

“NACCS” From Page 7

“Propaganda” From Page 3



Cuban-Spanish-American War the UnitedStates, a more technologically advancednation, also representing itself as the "lib-erators" of Puerto Ricans from Spanishoppression.

Last May 1, we began anotherchapter in the democratization of PuertoRico. Since the Cuban-Spanish-AmericanWar, Puerto Ricans live in a political limbo.The Supreme Court, in a number of deci-sions called the "Insular Cases" deter-mined that Puerto Rico was an "unincor-porated territory" of the United States.That means that the Puerto Ricanarchipelago (which includes Vieques,Culebra, Mona and other neighboringislands) "belongs to, but it is not a part of" the United States. In many ways PuertoRicans are the stepchildren of the U.S.empire. They have a "resident commis-sioner" which has voice, but no vote.While the position has bene enhanced inthe last decades, still, this delegate is likea voice crying in the desert. PuertoRicans, have the privilege of being draftedin U.S. wars of conquest, yet can't votefor the commander in chief, the presidentof the United States.

The image of enraged protestorsin Vieques destroying the navy guard postand other navy property has confusedmany as to the peaceful nature of thismovement. Unfortunately, those samecritics applauded the Iraqis as their con-strained anger was unleashed through-out a "liberated" Iraq. The toppling ofSaddam's statue had its counterpart in thedestruction of the guard post at the en-trance of the former naval station, CampGarcia. But these incidents, in which lessthan 30 persons participated should notobscure what has taken place. Thousandsof people prayed, gave thanks, cried, readpoems, visited the graves of the cancervictims and waved the Puerto Rican flagwith pride. They have the right to be feelpride. They have accomplishedsomething that only the most optimisticthought it was possible decades ago: Thedefeat of the most powerful navy in theworld with the weapon of peace.

But just like in Iraq, winning thewar is easier than building the peace. TheViequenses face many obstacles in ac-complishing their remaining objectives.The Vieques movement developed whatthey call the four "d's": demilitarization,devolution, decontamination, sustainable

development. Demilitarization is still not complete, in the western part of Vieques, theU.S. military still controls a ROTHR (Relocatable Over The Horizon Radar) on MontePirata. There is still no permanent assurance that the lands will not be used for militaryexercises and the decontamination process is still up in the air. The Vieques want todevelop their economy and have a sustainable development plan that includes or-ganic agriculture, eco-tourism and a zoning plan that will maintain the pristine qualityof what is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean.

The Viequenses have written another chapter in the expansion of democracyin the Americas,they have provided a model that works and that builds on the best ofhuman beings. The Viequenses also contributed sending American soldiers home.They still deserve our continuing support because, the struggle continues.

“Vieques” From Page 4

Statement Of Purpose:In response to the continuing

and growing assaults on the right to in-formation and freedom of expression,especially as it relates to Raza and otheroppressed nationalities and peopleswithin the current borders of the UnitedStates, the Raza Press Association (for-merly known as the Chicano Press As-sociation) is calling on Raza (students,journalists, community activists, and aca-demicians) active in the field of media(journalism, radio, TV, popular art, spo-ken word, computer information, etc.) tosubmit articles related to the question of“The Role of Raza Press, Media, AndPopular Expression In Our Struggle ForDemocracy, Justice, And Self-Determi-nation.”

The articles must address thehistorical/current onslaught on progres-sive and alternative thought being wagedby FBI, Police, Mainstream Media, etc.within the the belly of the beast, andexternally from the CIA, Military Indus-trial Complex, Global Capitalism, etc. Itis a conscious racist-capitalist efforts toeliminate all programs which were initiallydeveloped for the purpose of advanc-ing the educational and cultural devel-opment of the Raza community; for ex-ample: Chicano Studies, Ethnic Stud-ies, Progressive Publications and Pro-grams at Colleges and Universities,Raza Cultural Celebrations at elemen-tary and high schools, Centro Culturales,

and Bilingual/Multicultural Education.Selected articles will be pub-

lished in the Guerrilleros de la Pluma,Winter 2003 Issues which will be avail-able at the end of September 2003.

Support the RPA! Join thestruggle to keep alive progressive andliberation Raza thought and ideology!Support the struggle for democracy,justice, and self-determination forRaza!

Criteria For Articles:(1) articles must be between 3 and 5pages (no longer please), typed anddoubled space (Fonts 10 or 12 points).If you submit a research type workingpaper, when quoting, or referring todata, use footnotes or endnotes anda bibliography for documentation pur-poses. Writing styles that could be useare the following; Chicago, APA, andMLA.(2) articles must be submitted no laterthan August 15, 2003, (no exceptions).(3) send your articles via e-mail([email protected]) oron a floppy disk (i.e. MS Words, etc.)to the following address:

Raza Press AssociationAttn: Guerrilleros de la PlumaP.O. Box 20411Oxnard, Califas 93034-0411

Hasta La VictoriaRaza Press Association

Guerrilleros de la PlumaJournal Of La Raza Press Association:

A Call For Articles On The Raza Press, Media,And Popular Expression

For The Upcoming Winter 2003 Issue



“Spanish-Language Media” From Page 4toric piece of legislation restructured theU.S. communications industry, especiallybroadcasting and telecommunications,and adopted what was promised as acompetition-based and convergencemodel. Not surprisingly, the result thusfar is massive trade and industrial con-solidation. The diminishing diversity ofmedia owners, services and content iscompelling scholars, media activists, andpolicymakers to rethink the policiesemerging from the TelecommunicationsAct and the negative effects this mayhave on the relationship between mediaand democracy (see McChesney 1999;Aufderheide 1997; U.S. F.C.C 2001). Yet,a review of the literature and popularpress demonstrate the one-sidedness ofthe discussion. That is, policy critiqueshave largely centered on the dominantEnglish-language mass media.Current discussions surrounding tele-communications and new media policyoften assimilate Spanish-language me-dia and its audiences into the debaterather than examining those areas sepa-rately. In fact, the symbolic and materialimplications that the policy changes haveon the U.S. Spanish-language mediaenvironment are left largely unexamineddue to this heuristic separation of “Latino”from English-language media. The re-sult is that the English-language mediaenvironment is assumed as analogousto the Spanish-language news, informa-tion, and entertainment sector. Althoughthere are similarities between both sys-tems, differences abound.

The political economy and cul-tural policy of Spanish-language mediain the United States is not necessarily areplication of English-language media.Although vast economic, programming,and policy changes are restructuring bothSpanish-language and English-languagemedia in the U.S., and consequentlyfewer corporate hands are controlling in-formation and entertainment resources,there are distinctions between both me-dia environments that extend beyond lin-guistic differences. Differences pertain-ing to audience composition, cultural at-tachments, nationalism, transnationaltrade imperatives, and citizenship claimson political and cultural levels, make itdifficult to discuss Spanish-language andEnglish-language media as two sides ofthe same coin.

In order to examine the ways the changestaking place, we need to show the global-ized qualities of the Spanish-language andbilingual press and media. There is an in-timate link between the between changesin Latin American migration and thechanges to Spanish-language mass me-dia in the U.S. and North America moregenerally. The fluid yet complex relation-ship between immigration politics, culturalpolicy and transnational links require a re-examination of media policies that threatenRaza expression. More specifically, weneed to critically examine the implicit as-sumptions about the nation-state, localcommunities, the democratic interest of citi-zens, ethnic media, and the corporate con-trol and political power of media propertiesin an increasingly transnationalized NorthAmerican Spanish-language media envi-ronment.

THE SPANISH-LANGUAGE BROAD-CAST SECTOR

Unlike the English-language me-dia sector, which boasts over 16,000 broad-cast radio outlets, there are less than sevenhundred full-time Spanish-language radiostations in the U.S. Obviously, the reorga-nization of Spanish-language broadcastingis especially alarming since the sector, al-though on the rise, is much smaller thanit’s English-language counterpart. In thiscontext, the media principles of competi-tion, localism and diversity are more criti-cal than ever. Unfortunately, these valueshave been largely unexamined by theF.C.C. in relation to Spanish-languagemedia.

The F.C.C. is currently examiningthe proposed merger between two of thelargest proprietors of Spanish-languagemedia in the U.S., Univision and HispanicBroadcasting Company. Their combinedassets would create an unprecedentedSpanish-language media powerhouse thatwould include television and radio stations,newspapers, popular publications, andInternet web portals to name a few. Theapproval of the merger would be a severeblow to the potential of Spanish-languagebroadcasting as a source of balanced in-formation, multiplicity of ideas, and diverseprogramming, all of which are critical inorder for Latinos to participate in a vibrantdemocratic system. The fact Clear Chan-nel also has a hand in the deal raises seri-ous doubts as to whether the public inter-est will be served by the Univision/HBC

merger. Considering the political climateat the F.C.C., the merger may just takewing.

The Spanish-language and bilin-gual media sector has a long way to gobefore it reaches parity with its English-language counterpart. With the approvalof the new deregulatory revamped rules,the sector may never achieve such a goalsince more and more media resourcesare consolidated into fewer and fewerhands. While scholars and media activ-ists are discussing how the new rules willaffect mainstream English-languagebroadcasting, very little is being saidabout the significant difference the own-ership rules will make on U.S. Spanish-language broadcast media. It is abouttime we start having a serious discussion.

REFERENCESAufderheide, P. 1997. “Telecommunications andthe Public Interest.” Conglomerates and the Me-dia. New York: New Press.

McChesney, R. 1999. Rich Media, Poor Democ-racy: Communication Politics in Dubious Times.Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press.

U.S. Federal Communications Commission. 2001.In the Matter of Rules and Policies ConcerningMultiple Ownership of Radio Broadcast Stations inLocal Markets: Notice of Proposed Rule MakingFurther Notice of Proposed Rule Making Docket 01-317. Washington, DC: F.C.C.

“Sexto Sol” From Page 4tence handed down to “South Park Mexi-can” Carlos Coy, Sexto Sol hosted a call-in on the issue. The purpose wasn’t toweigh in on SPM's guilt or innocence, butto expose the justice system for how ittreats Raza, regardless of money andstatus. Carlos Coy is a very stark exampleof what every person of color, black orbrown, faces from the criminal justicesystem, no matter one's wealth or thecharge, was the message. And he's facedwith a public brainwashed into selling itschildren down the river because the mas-ter says they're garbage.

“This is unacceptable, and what-ever you think of Carlos Coy or his guiltor innocence, understand that he isn't thefirst and sure as hell won't be the last untilwe start to stand up and fight.”

KPFT has hosted many Mexicanmusic shows over its 30 years, includingone show by La Mafia. Sexto Sol is thefirst to set its focus on self-determinationand liberation of the land.

More information about SextoSol is at www.bellyofthebeast.org.



RevolutionaryArt:

A Work InProgress

By Louie H.Moreno

RevolutionaryArt:

A Work InProgress

By Louie H.Moreno

Guerrilleros de La Pluma:Feature Artist: Louie H. Moreno

He is a local resident of Oxnard, Califas. Hehas be involved with the Chicano Power

Movement since the 1960’s with the BrownBerets and now currently with the Committee

On Raza Rights. His artwork has beenshowed at the Ventura County Fair, the Chan-

nel Island National Park Museum, the Dr.Rodolfo Acuña Art Gallery, and the Annual DeColores Art Show. His artwork will grace thecover of the forthcoming Occupied America,

5th Edition by Rodolfo Acuña, this year.

He is currently working on two paintings(acrylic on wood) entitled, “Faces Of The

Revolution.”

He dedicates all his artwork to his mother,family and his people.

You can see over 30 years of his artwork atArt By Louie H. Moreno,

www.artbylouiemoreno.com.

Raza Press AssociationP.O. Box 20411Oxnard, Califas 93034-0411

Membership WebsitesLa Verdad

http://uniondelbarrio.org/lvp/newspaper/index.html

La Calles y La Torcidahttp://uniondelbarrio.org/cmpp/index.html

Voz del Pueblohttp://committeeonrazarights.org/publications/newslet-

ter/index.html

Aztlannet.comhttp://www.aztlannet.com

Voz Fronterizahttp://razapressassociation.org/vozfronteriza/index.html

El Popohttp://www.csun.edu/~vcoao0hs/elpopo/

Barrio Aztlanhttp://www.barriodefense.org/voz.html

Sexto Solhttp://www.bellyofthebeast.org/

Calaca Presshttp://www.calacapress.com/

Coming Soon:Raza Press Association:

Raza Press, Media ,And Popular Expression

Summit

September 20, 2003Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan

E-Mail: [email protected] Website: http://razapressassociation.org

guerrillera/os de la pluma, fall 2003

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