In the years I have been active with the San Fernando La Raza Unida chapter, I have gained the consciousness of my true self as a Chicano. I have gained a strong passion for the beautiful struggle for self-determination, liberation and justice. I am proud to be a part of a movement for the betterment of my people, all people. Before becoming active with LRU, I had no understanding of my history, identity and culture. I was like too many Chicanos, uneducated and disconnected. By joining LRU my whole view of the world changed, and it wasn't an instant change but a process of critical thinking, studying, *anlysing, attending meetings, asking questions and really listening to what others had to say. And the first few years were so overwhemling and frustrating, it is never an easy thing to learn one has been lied to their whole lives, to learn that they are a part of a colonized and oppressed people that have been raised to think of themselves as strangers in their own land. There were many times I wanted to give up, to throw all these uncomfortable and unfortunate situations to the back of my mind and continue to live life the way this capitalist/ imperialist system intended me to live it, full of fear and hopelessness, thinking only of myself. But I am proud to say I never gave up and it's in large part because of my brothers and sisters in LRU that gave me the strength, patience and courage to keep going all these years.
One of the most important and frustrating things I learned being active in a Revolutionary Chicano organization is that the goal of uniting our people is not easy. There is a fundamental lack of concern and knowledge from the masses. Too often our people respond with a sense of hopelessness to the ideas of de-colonization and self-determination. In their minds these ideas are all but ruled out as utopian or radical. Well I see absolutely nothing radical about restoring the love, pride and integrity to my people. I also see many respond with fear to the Chicano struggle. They are afraid to speak out and take action, as if to say "No! Dont give me the power, the responsibility. It is too much and I am only one person." As the old saying goes, The truth which makes us free is for the most part the truth which we perfer not to hear.
Well just how long will we live with this mentality? How long will we sit comfortably in our miseries? How long will we tolerate this oppressive system that distorted and erased our history? A system that embedded in our minds a sense of hopelessness, victimization and fear. A system that rather throw us in prisons than to educate us. A system that expands war and the police force, while cutting back on education, health care and other important social services. A system that continues to scapegoat and degrade our people. A system that simply doesn't care! They have not and will not take us serious as a people, as human beings.
For too long we have placed our hope in this broken system. For too long we have tolerated the dehumanizing effects of colonialism. We must once in for all oppose and eliminate this system and let the people put in something that works.
And the only way to do that is to Organize! To educate and raise the consciouness of the masses through critical thinking and revolutionary knowledge and perspective. We must encourage them too not only join the movement but to help build it. We must restore the pride, integrity and love in our people, of who we are, where we come from and where we are going. We must end the confusion of our identity and bring clarity to the people. We must stop being divided, fearful and helpless. Too many don't know or understand our strength, endurance and potential both as individuals and as a people. The fact of the matter is that we do have the strength, endurance and potential to be a powerful, positive force for change. So what are we waiting for?! Every person is the right person to take action. Every moment is the right moment to take action.
VIVA LA RAZA!!! POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!
