El Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán, or the Chicano Student Movement of Aztlán, is a new club at Dos Pueblos High School with the mission to “inspire every young Chicana and Chicano to recognize that the fight for their community’s freedom from discrimination and oppression rests in their own hands.” Meetings take place in B-4 every Wednesday during lunch.
Kassandra Chacon (11) and Isabel Vasquez (11) are both co-founders and co-presidents of MEChA. While on a field trip with Advancement Via Individual Determination, they went on a tour to see San Diego State University’s MEChA club. Chacon said students viewed it as “a home for them,” and Vasquez said the club “helped people find their place at that school.” This led them to create their own MEChA club at DPHS.
“We wanted to bring that type of space here on the campus,” Chacon said. “So, we wanted to create a place here where … we can feel together [and] empowering and help one another.”
Their goal with the MEChA club is to create a community for Chicano students on campus. So far, they have received support from DPHS teachers who were past MEChA members.
Both Chacon and Vasquez mentioned wanting students to feel represented on campus and become educated about their history.
“I think [the club] will educate more of the Chicano community and give people more of an idea of how to empower ourselves and not feel like we’re belittled,” Vasquez said.
Kiara Costilla (11) is a member of the MEChA club and also became interested in MEChA through the SDSU field trip. She said that the club will have a positive impact on students and that she is looking forward to seeing diversity within MEChA.
“It’s just nice being there and seeing where this club will take off,” Costilla said.
Chacon said that future plans for the club may include study sessions, community events like jaripeo, and collaborations with the Hermanas Unidas de UCSB. Chacon and Vasquez are also open to suggestions from club members.
“[Don’t] be afraid to come by and just … visit and talk,” Vasquez said. “And if [you] have any ideas, please share them with us.”
Costilla said that Chicano students should be proud of themselves rather than hiding, and Chacon emphasized the importance of embracing one’s culture.
“Identify how you want to identify,” Chacon said. “That’s your culture at the end of the day. Take power in what you want. Speak your mind. You are just as welcome to be in that classroom as everyone else.”
