United Youth of Aztlan
North East Los Angeles
Lidia and Lisa from Pasadena High School at the Xicana/o Youth Liberation Retreat in New Mexico
Purpose of M.E.Ch.A./UYA
The purpose of M.E.Ch.A./UYA is to build a strong circle of Chicana & Chicano high school youth throughout Califas in order to transform the conditions of Chicana/o youth face in the educational system and the community. There are M.E.Ch.A. chapters in most high schools in California, yet many are disconnected from the external structure of M.E.Ch.A. that allow us to organize collectively. This can be attributed to many reasons:
In the M.E.Ch.A. Philosophy Papers, college level M.E.Ch.A.s have a responsibility to work with their local high school M.E.Ch.A.s so that they have the resources and assistance available for them to strengthen and participate in the external M.E.Ch.A. structure. In recognition of this responsibility, the United Youth of Aztlan (name chosen by M.E.Ch.A. youth) was created as an experimental project with the following goals:
UYA first started as a project in the summer of 2000, in West L.A., working with 4 local high schools. Students met every week to discuss issues affecting their schools and community, as well as to listen to conciousness raising presentations by other students or other community organizers about these issues. Through the Raza Youth Conference at UCLA in the Spring of 2001, a youth dialogue was held with students from 20 L.A. high schools. 18 of these students from 10 high schools determined to address the issues raised in dialogue, participated in a week long organizing retreat in New Mexico hosted by M.E.Ch.A. de UCLA. The retreat allowed students to further their dialogue, make new friendships, discuss M.E.Ch.A. philosophy, and strengthen their organizing skills. United Youth of Aztlan was able to expand to these new high schools.
The use of M.E.Ch.A./UYA as the youth organizing wing of M.E.Ch.A. can be a strong organizing tool for high schools to assert their collective voice and create change. The use of the Chicana/o Youth Liberation Retreat and UYA in this organizing can help enhance the voice of M.E.Ch.A. high school youth. If high school M.E.Ch.A.s were able to work together collectively throughout the state, imagine the possibilities for progressive change for nuestra communidad!
Current Participating/Planned NE L.A. UYA Hosting College Chapters: Cal Tech, Glendale College, Occidental College, Pasadena City College
Current Participating/Planned Attending High Schools (NE L.A. UYA)
Alhambra HS, Blair HS, Burbank HS, Cathedral HS, Eagle Rock HS, Franklin HS, Gabrielino HS, Glendale HS, Hollywood HS, Hoover HS, John Burroughs HS, Los Angeles County High School of the Arts, Lincoln HS, Mark Keppel HS, Marshall HS (Pasadena), Marshall HS (Los Feliz), Muir HS, Pasadena HS, Rose City HS, Rosemead HS, San Gabriel HS, South Pasadena HS, Temple City HS
ALL OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS NOT MENTIONED WELCOMED!
Upcoming Southern California M.E.Ch.A. High School Conferences
Next NE L.A. UYA
Meeting @ PCC
Circadium Lounge
(Tentative)
January 23,
2003
6:00pm - 8:00pm
(NELA UYA) Educational/Cultural Presentation: "TBA"
TBA at 1st M.E.Ch.A. de Pasadena City College Community Relations / HS Outreach Committee meeting at Pasadena City College
Presenter: PCC Mechista
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