California has one of the highest densities of Chicano and Latino students in the United States, and even more minority communities make up California’s scholars. However, the customs of American society don’t always show these communities the respect they deserve. Despite promises of welfare benefits and political progress, life can still feel isolating and unfair for brown students in need of community support. On September 19th, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jaki Ramirez and Javi Valdepena – leaders of the MEChA club here at College of the Sequoias. Together, they expressed what their club stands for, and how they advocate for brown-skinned students at COS.
In 1969, students at Santa Barbara formed MEChA, a student organization meant to empower Chicano students. Its goals were to promote the higher education of students, to preserve Mexican culture, and to use political action to liberate the oppressed Chicano communities. According to Ramirez, the MEChA club at COS is inclusive of Asian, Black, Native American and other communities with Hispanic roots.
Ramirez and Valdepena went on to share what they stand for as leaders of the MEChA club, and what inspired them to take action on campus. They and the members of the club are strong advocates for the use of education as a tool against political injustice, and the fight for equal rights locally and abroad. Ramirez says that they are always looking to make students aware of injustice against brown communities, and the need for solidarity on the basis that “We are a majority no matter how much they try to make us think we are little.”…