A “call went out to the nation” by TUSD’s Mexican American Studies supporters to join them today; the last day of Freedom Summer. Approximately 30 people showed up.
Protest organizer, David Abie Morales notified his followers of the event on Facebook, “Last day of Tucson Freedom Summer will be the biggest! Join us at 8:30 at the TCC… don’t be late or you will miss all the fun! P.S. Cameras and attorneys/eyewitnesses welcome :)”
The “nation” was supposed to join in a protest at Tucson’s Community Center; the site of the district’s opening year convocation. The small crowd of mostly former Mexican American Studies (MAS) teachers was joined by Adelita Grijalva.
At the same time that the handful of college and high school aged students protested, across town a former student told of her experience in the MAS classes at Tucson High School to morning radio host Garret Lewis of KNST AM 790/97.1 FM.
The teenager described a segregated classroom; the lone white student “switched out” early on in the semester. She said that the focus of the class was “becoming human.” Becoming human refers to developing a Chicano identity. The newest definition of a “Chicano identity” is a political identification, rather than a social or cultural identity.
MEChA’s website describes the meaning and purpose of the Chicano indentity; “In adopting their new identity, the students committed themselves to return to the barrios, colonias, or campos and together, struggle against the forces that oppress our gente. Lastly, the affirmation that we are Indigenous people to this land by placing our movement in Aztlan, the homeland of all peoples from Anahuak.”
The student explained that she had wanted a literature class, but was advised by school officials that none were available and she had to take the Raza Studies Literature class.
The teenager told Lewis that the students in her literature were taught about mostly politics. “We were mostly told about the Republican Party, that it was mostly white people for white people. They kinda made it seem like Republicans don’t like Hispanics.”
To hear the entire interview click here.
TUSD’s Mexican American/Raza Studies supporters dubbed their political effort Freedom Summer after the civil rights effort in the 1960’s.
Related article:
“Cortes to Bush: 500 Years of Internalized Oppression and Rehumanization” TUSD’s MAS for 7th graders
“Mexican American Studies Program materials emphasize the importance of building Latino nationalism”