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

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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..."

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Chicano Self-Determination: The True Mexican

Chicano Self-Determination: The True Mexican: "Note: I filled in for an administrator at a school I worked at today. The following words where on a poster that was framed for ..."

The True Mexican

Note: I filled in for an administrator at a school I worked at today.  The following words where on a poster that was framed for all who entered the office to see.  I made sure all the students that came into the office read it.  No author was listed.  

What is a Mexican?

A Mexican is light-skinned, brown-skinned and dark skinned. A Mexican has blue, green, brown and black eyes. We are not characterized by similar physical features or by a homogeneous origin. Instead we are bound together by our culture and a nationalistic pride unequal to any other. One of the reasons why our pride is so unique is because we acknowledge our indigenous roots like no other country.

Most Mexicans recognize the great achievements of indigenous groups such as the Olmecs, Zapotecs, Toltecs, Maya, and Aztecs. The most beloved and known are the Aztecs. Even though they are considered a Mexican treasure, too few Mexicans on this side of the border are aware of their achievements. The Aztecs were a great military power that allowed them to have one of the greatest empires of their time. It was also their military power that brought about their downfall.

The Aztecs demanded obedience from the other Indian groups they conquered, which created tension. When Hernan Cortes arrived in Mexico in 1511, he saw the tension and quickly took advantage of it. In our world history classes we are taught that Cortes conquered Mexico. This is a fallacy because the Spaniards did not conquer the Aztecs. In reality, the surrounding Indian groups conquered the Aztecs. We’re not taught that Cortes recruited over 100,000 indian warriors in his 10 year war with the Aztecs. Most important is the fact that most Aztecs died at the hands of another Indian, not the hands of a Spaniard.

Presently there is another conquest of Mexicans. It is not in Anahuac but in the u.s. Just as Cortes deceived and tricked the Indians into killing each other off, the establishment of this country, with it’s promises of equal opportunities and it’s grossly misallocated resources, is accomplishing the same goal. To many Mexicans die at the hands of another Mexican.

Real history, our history not his story, teaches us that fighting amongst ourselves only serves to bring about our downfall.

We , as the Aztecs, are at a technological disadvantage. We are for the most part uneducated and unaware. However, the Aztecs had a numerical advantage, we too have our strength in numbers. If we utilize and focus the potential power we have, we can be the strongest force this country has ever witnessed.

We the new Aztec warriors (read Brown Berets) must learn from our ancestors’ mistakes. Before another carnal is beat down, stop and think about who the real enemy is. We have a war to fight. Not a war of guns and knives but one of minds and education. Our victories are no longer on the battlefields but they are each carnal or carnala sitting on the most powerful committees in this country.

The definition of a Mexican is in the name. A Mexi-can and will do the right thing. PAZ.

A Brown Beret Cadet Flying the Bandera Mexicana

Pinedale Brown Beret Reunion

Hello Family, Friends and Supporters.  

The Fresno Brown Berets (BBNO) will be having an organizing meeting in the barrio of Pinedale on Friday, 3/4/2011 from 5pm to 6:30 pm. We will be meeting at the Pinedale community center located at 7190 N San Pablo. 

The last time Fresno BBNO organized in the Pinedale community the residents always supported our work and we got a steady stream of recuits and help from that area.  

At this time we have confirmed 5 soldados will attend to help in the recuitment. Please help spread the word to your network or anyone you know who lives in Pinedale. 

If you have any questions you can call me at 559-916-3672 or Chris Razo at 916-3959



Pinedale youth at a car wash to raise money for Return to Isla Santa Catalina 7/1995



Gracias and Viva La Raza