Mensaje De Fuerza

August 11, 2011

Brown Beret Tropas de Califas, Aztlan.

Un Mensaje de Fuerza

As I approach my 6^th month as Commander of Califas. It is necessary to reflect on some of the ups and downs of organizing and how we are going to carry out the monumental , but hardly impossible task , of forming 58 brigades of Brown Beret soldados to represent each condado in Califas. We also need to consider the challenges of raising funds to mobilize or to become self sufficient. Right now we are about as rag top as can be. I say that not as a disparaging remark but in the sense that we are volunteers and all the time, effort and money spent to professionally represent the Brown Berets is coming out of our own pocket. When we show up in dressed according to code it represents our unceasing love we have for the gente and our shared vision of nationhood -- Aztlan.

Writing about the last five months is like writing a resume, you want to include everything and make it look nice. The hard truth is that planned meetings and events often have a way of not coming out as envisioned but the fact that brown beret activity took place is a victory in itself. If you can get media attention that is even better.

Most movements start of slow then snowball rapidly. At the present time there are some units that do not even have a squad (a group of 5 soldiers). Once you develop a core group of at least 6 members you‘ll quickly start getting interest but it won’t last if you don’t have something to keep them in. Membership will be in a constant state of flux as some might feel they are not really cut out to be a Brown Beret.

At the height of the Chicano movement in 1972 I was just a chavalo of 8 years old but I can still remember everyone raising a fist to each other and shouts of Chicano Power or Viva La Raza. That raised arm and clenched fist is a symbol of resistance and Carnalismo. It needs to be brought back to our barrios. Since becoming state commander I have represented the Brown Beret National Organization and made sure gritos of Chicano Power were heard and raised fists seen at the following events:

Feb 21, 2011 -- Held 1^st Fresno BBNO (reactivation) meeting . We reclaimed our street from the drug addictos and gangsters. About a dozen cadets got sworn in and a squad established.
March 12^th --  1^st organizing meeting of Merced BBNO. Several members sworn in
April 2^nd -- Fresno and Merced BBNO participate in march to honor Cesar Chavez -- 1^st time march for both units and we are shown prominently on pg b2 of the Fresno Bee the next day.
April 23^rd -- Chicano Park Day in San Diego Califas 
April 30^th -- 1^st organizing meeting held in Bakersfield. I spoke to about 100 people and met several of my homies from back in the day. Two mothers want to volunteer and put their 4 children in the cadets. Audrey Guzman assumes Bakersfield unit leadership.
May 1^st -- Fresno and Merced BBNO march in May Day march held in Fresno
May 5^th -- Fresno BBNO support Merced BBNO at a community Cinco De Mayo event
May 28^th -- Attended MEChA statewide conference held at Chico State University along with members from San Fernando and Fresno. Swore in leadership of Chico BBNO.June 3^rd - 10^th -- Part of delegation of several different BBNO units assigned to secure the comfort, safety and health of esteemed Chicano Leader Reis Lopez Tijerina and his esposa, as he was on a speaking tour through Nuevo Mexico and Colorado.Attended
July 2^nd -- Attended organizing meeting in Modesto for addressing Chicano gang violence in the Central Valley. A first ever 209 Chicano Unity Festival is now set for Sat, Sept 10^th

July 16^th & 17^th -- Fresno and Merced BBNO attend Joaquin Murrieta Days held in Tres Pierdas, CA
August 1^st -- A delegation of 4 Brown Berets attend funeral mass at UFW 40 acres compound in Delano for labor leader Richard Chavez, brother of Cesar Chavez ***Pictures of the above events can be seen on my photos or on the Fresno Brown Berets (bbno) facebook fan page.

As you can see it’s been pretty busy for me and I can really appreciate the time and effort of each dedicated solider. Our work is cut out for us and our time is ahora Start organizing your block, move to the next and the next until the whole barrio and pueblo has brown berets.

 Challenges

1. Mission and Philosophy--I believe there is widespread acceptance with brown beret mission of political activism, in fact it is expected that we be on the front lines organizing on different issues. What I find is apprehension with our ultimate goal of reclaiming Aztlan. Too many of our gente are anchored to the “american dream” and can’t envision ever being able to throw off the chains of our oppression which is the USA. So in addition to racist nazis being opposed to us, we are going to get all those middle-of- the- road conservative and republican Chicanos who will be some of our worst critics. 
2. Public Relations--The spotlight is on us at all times while in uniform. If you are cussing, making racist or sexist jokes or belittling people your unit will lose members and credibility. Be firm in maintaining our believes when we are faced by opponents but show due respect. Let’s also remember that in today’s high tech world, a picture of you picking your nose, picking your butt or just having a melt down can be posted on the web for millions to see with just a click of a button on a smart phone.
3. Membership--As stated earlier, membership is constantly going to flux. We are looking at recruiting membership who will last in the organization and be dedicated wholeheartedly to our future growth. . During the years 1994-2000 when I last organized in Fresno our core membership always stayed around 10-12. At one point we had 25 members show up to a meeting. We were a small and young group but we accomplished things.
4. Rejection and Jealousy -- Don’t be surprised if after joining the Brown Berets you start losing friendships or relationships with family members. Some organizations you belonged or helped might suddenly shut you out. Because we operate in a military fashion some people will assume we are violent and armed. We might also start out-organizing long established groups so they might feel resentment. Just keep practicing good public relations and making alliances whenever possible and your ranks quickly grow.
5. Harassment & Discrimination-- Being a Brown Beret might subject you to harassment from law enforcement, public officials , private property owners and even other organizations. Similarly, you could face discrimination in school, work or housing. Whenever out in public it is important to have a member or supporter be ready to document in case you are confronted by hostile elements. As to the work place, avoid Beret activity while on the clock. There are labor laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, and political beliefs, but any competent supervisor can find things to terminate you if they want. Seek legal advice from our general counsel if need be.
6. Practicing non-violence in a violent society -- As our ranks continue to grow we are going to be seen more and more by the public and again some people will be violently opposed to us. We need to totally understand the difference between non-violence and self-defense. We implement and use a variety of non-violent tactics like, marches, pickets, boycotts, petition drives, etc. Likewise, we are also ready to defend ourselves and our community by any means necessary. As Jefe De Estado Mayor so eloquently stated, “we will never instigate violence but we will finish it if need be”.
7. Fundraising -- Each unit needs to raise funds so we can be always be ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice. Ultimately I’d like to get some sort of funding mechanism set up so that the BBNO gets a constant flow of money to do things. How are we going to do it? The San Fernando unit sold a libro. Others are planning fundraising parties. The old trusty car wash is also good but labor intensive, however with social networking sites you can create events and get people to help. One year our unit sold World’s Finest candy bars for 1$ each. The company had a fair credit plan so there was no up front cost and as long as we returned ½ of the profit we were good. This was a real successful fundraiser for our cadets. You might also want to invest in a pop corn maker, snow cone stand or button press. Some of us like to write, there are several writing websites where they will pay you for articles. I submit on Associated Content but there are several others. Lets use our talents to raise feria and become self sufficient.

Vision

As the lines of communication between all Califas and Aztlan brigades are established we are going to expand like no other movement ever has. I envision a day when I can make a call or a post asking for a mobilization somewhere in CA and a contingent of Berets is there ready and willing. Can you imagine the force we’d be if we had 1000 berets in every California county? But to reclaim Aztlan we are going to need people power and that means thousands of berets in every city. Now that we have Kiva de Quinto Sol for Brown Berets only I want all of us to start sharing events about our organizing and to provide input to promote our growth. With the Chicano Moratorium just a few weeks away it is imperative that every brown beret unit send their tropas. If you have no members then make it your personal pilgrimage to get there. Time is wasting Let’s get organizing. VIVA LOS BROWN BERETS VIVA LA RAZA

 

Brown Berets deploying to Chicano Park

Brown Berets in Las Vegas NM with Reijes Lopez Tejerina and Dolores Huerta

Brown Beret cadets reclaiming their street 

Organizing in Bakersfield, CA

May Day 2011 in Fresno

Cinco De Mayo in Merced CA

Chico MEChA Statewide 5/28/11

Fresno& Merced Brown Berets are in the Newspaper

Brown Berets at Chicano Park Day In San Diego Califas

Comandante Garcia at Chicano Park next to his dream car

Brown Berets at 3 rocks for Joaquin Murrieta Days

I want to go to prison

I was assigned a teaching job today at a technical high school.  I had never worked at this school before but according to my brother-in-law, the school was for "bad-ass kids". I didn't know what to expect.

When I got to the school the first thing I noticed were 3 camera bubbles along the front of the school and when I got inside, there were cameras in all classrooms and hallways. I was told the students in all class periods will be self-directed and they know how to get their assignments from a website. Initially I was told I would get the regular teachers log-in ID so I could monitor that all the students were working. 

I was never given the access to log-on so was unable to monitor the student's work. I had to walk around the class, to make sure they were on task.  It became obvious to me right away that many of the students were not doing what they were supposed to.

I had to make it clear to them that I was being paid to teach and I intended to do my job and that I expected them as students to do their job and learn.  Many thought I was joking with them and thought it was going to be a free day.  There were several disrespectful comments made to me but after pulling out several different approaches to reach them I eventually had the majority of the class on task and engaged in their assignments. 

I still noticed a few not on the assignment and looking at facebook or playing games.   For those that weren't on task I read to them some poems and short stories I wrote when I was in high school and college.  I felt they'd be able to relate to them.  One poem in particular piqued the interest of those remaining students who still thought class time today was going to be play time.

Period 1 finally ended, 5 more class periods to go.  Oh by the way, 99% each of each class were Chicano.

Periods 2-4 pretty much went the same way but with more compliance.  At the beginning of each class I asked who were Seniors?  1 or 2 hands rose up.  I did the unity clap and yelled out SI SE PUEDE! and commended them for their dedication to graduate. That hit them from left field and I'm sure made them feel proud. 

Period 6 was totally different.  These students must have been the "bad ass kids" by bro-in-law told me about.  The students came in kicking chairs, slamming books and using B words and F words.   I tried everything in the book to get their attention but nothing seemed to work.

I told one student, "don't you realize your behavior is being monitored on that camera in the corner?" He told, "man that camera don't work," and proceed to flip birds at it.  I replied, "so all day I wasn't really safe? "  This got a chuckle out of them.

I decided to turn the tables on them.  I asked them to let me know what they wanted to learn.  One guy said he wanted know where to get tattoos removed.  Another student right away said he wanted to give tattoos.  After explaining some ways to get tattoos removed, I went further and proposed that they collaborate on business plan to do combination tattoo shop and removal service.  That way they could earn a living both ways, pointing out that many people still get tattoos but everyday many people are regretting them and want them removed.  The classs was Microsoft computer applications and designing a web business plan was something they were working on.

After getting those 2 vatos really thinking about the idea, another vato loco type actually told me he wanted to go to prison.  OK, that was it, I pulled out everything from my arsenal.  I pointed out the disparity in the juvenile hall and jail populations (95%) as compared to the Chicano population in the Madera community(75%).  I pointed out the Chicano drop out rate. I pointed the state prison population of Chicanos as compared to our community population.  I touched on Chicano history.

One guy told me he was Salvadoran, not Chicano.  I told him ok, just substitue La Raza for Chicano as our skin color and history are the same anyway.

I was finally getting a good dialogue going with them.  They understood and saw the meaning of disparity and disproportionate allocation of resources.  At the same time I inculcated into them their responsibility to be students and prepare for a prosperous future not for one of lost dreams.

By the end of class all the students were standing around me including the principal of the school who happened to drop in to check on me.  They did something that shocked the hell out of me. They all applauded me and I heard comments like:  you're awesome, you're the best substitute we ever had, and the principal even said we need more Mexican American studies in the schools.

I told the students their applause needs to go to their regular teacher and to themselves if they will now take their education serious? 

Another day in service to LA RAZA. Mission accomplished.  

Pinedale Reunion Follow-up.

Fresno Brown Berets held an organizing meeting in the Pinedale barrio of Fresno on Friday, 3/4/11.  A member walked through the area the day before talking to residents and handing out cards.  The meeting was called for between 5-6pm.  By Friday afternoon I already got two phone calls from people stating they wanted more info.  They were told to talk with us later that day at the center.  The meeting got off to a bad start.

 First, the plan was to leave from headquarters by 4:30 pm so we'd get to the center in plenty of time.  By 4:30, two members who confirmed they wanted to go didn't show up.  I especially wanted these two members to go because they are in high school so would have related well to any youth we may have encountered.   I had to scramble to get at least two more to go. Luckily little Sierra and Antonio, stepped up to the plate.   We loaded up our flags, tables and literature and headed out 15 minutes behind schedule.

Ok, I planned to make up the time by taking the freeway.  Bad Idea.  It was already close to 5 pm and the traffic was backed up due to a fender bender.  We got to Pinedale center 15 minutes past our 5pm start time. 

We set our flags up and a table and talked amongst ourselves. I introduced myself to people as they passed by.  We got a lot of stares from people driving or walking by.  At 5:30 I conducted a Brown Beret workshop.

We lined up in formation, and as unit captain I conducted inspection pointing out areas they were out of uniform and going over the need to present ourselves in a professional manner.  I talked about various issues affecting the Chicano community and how education can impact those issues.  We then practiced commands, went over drills and marched along the sidewalk, with the banderas flying high.  All this took about 20 minutes. 

We didn't have a direct audience at anytime during the workshop but I did notice several teens walking by very slowly or stopping nearby within hearing range and they were in fact listening to the words I was speaking.

After our workshop we ended with a Unity clap and shouts of Chicano Power, Who are We? Brown Berets All the Way! and a couple of Viva La Raza's.

One member felt the meeting was a failure because we didn't recruit anyone.  I pointed out that we have to look at the positive not the negative.  Even though we didn't get new members, plenty in the community saw us that evening.   Just the fact that the Brown Berets returned to Pinedale is victory enough.  And finally, we can always do a repeat performance but next time all be on the same page and dressed out in compliance as a professional soldado/a.  They liked that idea. We plan on doing it again on Thursday March 17.

Resources of War

Our juvenile halls, our jails and our prisons are filled with Raza, not because they are criminals and dumb but because they have been denied their history and have a warped sense of cultura.  What does our future hold with 50% of Chicano students dropping out of high school?  What can we accomplish with the money spent on just one of these weapons of war? And governments are complaining that they are broke!  I wonder why??? When AZTLAN is reality, all the resources spent on these mammoth weapons of mass destruction will be no more. All nukes on our land will be rid of too, for Chicanos what no part in or to be blamed for the annihilation of the world. 

 

Chicano Self-Determination: Barrio Honor

Chicano Self-Determination: Barrio Honor: "http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7699686/barrio_honor_pg2.html?cat=75"

Chicano Self-Determination: TO all California Brown Berets

Chicano Self-Determination: TO all California Brown Berets: "As newly appointed BBNO California commander, I want you all to know it is a pleasure to serve La Raza and I look forward to helping so..."

Chicano Self-Determination: Catarino "Gato" Hurtado

Chicano Self-Determination: Catarino "Gato" Hurtado: "Back in the late 1990's when I was captain of the Fresno Brown Beret unit and we'd be in different barrios or pueblo's of Fresno County it n..."