Guerrillera/os de la Pluma, Winter 2010

Winter 2010Journal of the Raza Press and Media Association

GUERRILLERA/OS DE LA PLUMARaza Press, Media, and Popular Expression razapressassociation.org

• La Verdad • La Calles y La Torcida • Voz del Pueblo • Venceremos • Pueblo Unido • Clavo En El Corazon • Radio Free Aztlan •

Raza PRess and

Media association

20 Years1990-2010

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Guerrillera/os de la Pluma Journal of the Raza Press and Media Association

Raza Press, Media, and Popular Expression

RPMA CONSTITUTION(RATIfIed JANUARy 24, 2008)

Objectives:• Create a MoveMent of Progressive and revolutionary Media Work-eRS

• to establish a raza neWs Wire serviCe.• hold on-going WorkshoPs and ConferenCes to advanCe raza Press, Media, and PoPular exPression.• establish an editorial board to oversee Joint PubliCations.• Pool existing resourCes to assist PubliCations and to establish neW ones.• establishMent of a ColleCtion of PeriodiCals, Past, and Current.

PrinciPles Of Unity :• Must be raza PubliCations/Media Workers Who are indePendent of governMent agenCies.• MeMbers Must suPP ort raza self-deterMination.• Must adhere to deMoCratiCally reaChed deCisions.• Must suPP ort general obJeCtives of the assoCiation.• Must suPP ort the struggles of other indigenous PeoPle, latino aMeriCa-nos (raza), and all oPP ressed PeoPle Within and outside the u.s.

MeMbershiP Privile ges/benefits:• adMission to all rPMa events (ConferenCes, suMM its, etC.)• MeMbershiP Card and rPMa Press Card .• rPMa referenCe (for eMP loyMent, grant PurPoses etC.).• teChniCal assistanCe in Media ProduCtion.

• voiCe in the direCtion of the rPMa.• knoWing that you are fighting for JustiCe, PeaCe, and liberation

strUctUre:• Mesa direCtiva/editorial board Will Consist of a) Coordinator, b) events, C) MeMbershiP, d) PubliCations, and e) MeMber at large.• Mesa Will serve as Coordinating body to insure CoMM uniCation and CoMP letion of tasks.• Mesa Will also serve as editorial board for all rPMa

PUblicatiOns:• standing CoMM ittees Will be established as needed.• Mesa direCtiva Will organize a yearly suMM it or ConferenCe.

Guerrillera/os de la Pluma

EditorLuis Moreno

Managing EditorErnesto Bustillos

Associate EditorJose G. Moreno

ContributorsErnesto Bustillos

Francisco Romero

Raza Press and Media Association

Editorial Board2010-2011

Ernesto BustillosFrancisco RomeroAntonio Velasquez

Luis Moreno

raza Press, Media, and PoPular exPression

By FRAnCisCo RomERo

Since 2006, the Raza Press and Media Association (RPMA) has awarded the Guerrillera/o de la

Pluma Award to members who have dem-onstrated commitment to the production of a media that advances the self-deter-mination and liberation of the Raza com-munity. The award is an important way to recognize the hard work and contributions of media workers that support and ad-vance the goals of the RPMA. The following is the criteria we use to determine who the Guerrillera/o de la Pluma recipient will be:1. An individual whose actions and work, best serve as a role model not only for the RPMA membership, but our whole com-munity as well.2. An individual who not only speaks or theorizes about the media, but in the true meaning of progressive praxis -actually puts into practice her/his ideas and per-spectives.3. An individual whose journalism and media serves as a beacon that guides us down the road to Raza liberation.4. An individual whose labor has helped, not only in bringing others to the RPMA, but has contributed to the construction of a mass-based media that is committed to serving nuestro pueblo. This year’s recipient of the Guerrillera/o de la Pluma Award is Luis Moreno. Compa Luis was chosen for the award because he has for over a decade

2010 Guerrillera/o de la Pluma award

luiS moreNo: we are ParT oF THe leGaCY oF STruGGle

aNd reSiSTaNCeand half has been committed to rais-ing the consciousness of the community around the need for self-determination. Through his activism, Luis embodies and surpasses the four basic criteria for the Guerrillera/o de la Pluma award. This is why the RPMA has selected to honor him with this year’s award.

ComPa luiS HaS worKed TireleSSlY TowardS CreaT-iNG a CulTure oF aCTiViSmStarting in the mid 1990’s, Luis was a leading organizer for the Oxnard Re-gion of the National Chicano Moratorium (NCMC), and then in 1995, alongside a handful of community activists, he co-founded the Committee on Raza Rights. It was during this time that Luis also joined Unión del Barrio, a revolutionary Mexican Organization that originated in San Diego, Califaztlán. Luis has worked tirelessly to cre-ate a “culture of activism” in Oxnard, working diligently to develop new activ-ist-leaders in the area. The Committee on Raza Rights, a mass-based project of Union del Barrio in Oxnard, under his leadership, would become one of the few, independent organizations with an “alter-native political perspective” in the region; a perspective grounded in Raza self-de-termination and one that challenges the status-quo “Hispanic” reformist and Dem-ocratic Party line that has plagued the city since its founding in 1903. In past presentations, Luis has

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Winter 2010

www.razapressassociation.org

By ERnEsTo BUsTiLLos

i. BorN iN a Period oF reVo-luTioNarY STruGGle

The Raza Press and Media Associa-tion (RPMA) has its roots in what many call the “Chicano Power

Movement (1965-1975)”. It was a pe-riod in history of tremendous progressive and revolutionary struggles coming down throughout the world and within the bor-der of the imperialist beast (United States) itself. During this period a network of over 20 Raza publications, which included La Raza Magazine, La Verdad, El Grito del Norte, Regeneración, La Causa, El Gallo, and many more –existed under the ban-ner of the Chicano Press Association (CPA). The CPA’s main goal was to pub-licize the activities of the various move-ment organizations active in the struggles coming down in the working-class com-munities, barrios, and colonias throughout Occupied Mexico (Aztlán). Like most of the movement orga-nizations of that epoch –La Raza Unida Party, Brown Berets, and others –the CPA became a victim of the U.S. Gov-ernment’s police-military offensive called the Counter Intelligence Program (COIN-TELPRO). Utilizing arrests, harassment, infiltration, drugs, assassinations, and so forth, COINTELPRO was able neutral-ize or destroy most of the organizations involved in progressive or revolutionary social change. This defeat of our struggle ushered in a period of retreat, confusion, demoralization, and sporadic and isolated activism. A condition that was to last from the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s –and that in many ways continues to this day. In 1989, faced with the absence of a voice for the issues and concerns of importance to the Mexicano commu-nity, the staff of La Verdad –newspaper of Unión del Barrio, an organization formed in 1981 by veterans of the Chicano Power Movement –called for a summit with the objective of reestablishing the CPA. It was

a point in time in when Unión del Barrio was attempting to create a national net-work of revolutionary nationalist forma-tions that would merge into one national political organization dedicated to the self-determination and liberation of the Mexi-cano-Raza community.

ii. 1990-1995. THe iNiTial YearS oF THe CHiCaNo PreSS aSSoCiaTioN (CPa) On April 21, 1990, at a meeting held in Centro Aztlán, a small office and head-quarters of Unión del Barrio, located in Barrio Lomas, San Diego –close to ten publications (i.e. Voz Fronteriza, El Popo, Voz Mestiza, El Sembrador) unanimously agreed to the reestablishing of the CPA. Through a process of critically studying and drawing lessons from the Chicano Power Movement and taking into account the conditions in which the masses of our community existed in 1990, CPA members came to the conclusion that our movement had entered a new pe-riod of struggle. A situation in which the capitalists-colonialists were waging war against Mexicanos, Africans, and other oppressed peoples and nations through military campaigns disguised as the war on drugs/or terror. A warfare that was based on “government fabricated” crisis, the use of neocolonialists (puppets) as “fronts,” and legitimized by the capitalist-mainstream media. In response, the newly reconsti-tuted CPA saw the need to struggle in a more creative fashion against the colo-nial-global capitalists who, through a pro-gram of mass mainstream media decep-tion, were not only oppressing the world’s peoples, but also destroying planet earth. What our movement needed, according the membership of the CPA, was a Raza media that would work in unison in the raising of the consciousness of the mass-es and arming them with the information necessary for achieving justice and libera-tion. As most forces had disappeared

or were extremely demoralized –victims of COINTELPRO –it was fundamental to the CPA that it create a bridge that would pro-vide continuity between the last period of struggle and the one that was coming to light in the 1990s. This was necessary to pass on experience and lessons from the last period of struggle, and applying this to create the leadership and skills to confront the political condition of the 1990s. During the decade following its reestablishment, the CPA dialectically moved to being more creative and in tune to the new conditions of 1990’s. The CPA organized dozens of meetings, work-shops, conferences, and produced news-letters, books, and pamphlets. These juntas and publications were instrumental in exposing to the world the basis of our communities’ oppression and report on what movement organizations were doing to resolve this contradiction. Some of the first members of the CPA, or central to its founding, were Gene Chavira (Voz Fronteriza), Ernesto Bustil-los (La Verdad), Harry Simon (Voz Fron-teriza), Juan Parrino (La Causa), Adolfo Guzman (Voz Fronteriza), and Benjamin Prado (Voz Fronteriza). Indeed, it was Voz Fronteriza, one of the most important student newspapers that our movement has ever produced, and La Verdad, which were to be the “anchors” of the CPA for its first decade of existence. Within the first few months of its founding, the CPA put into action two im-portant projects that were to last until to-day. One was the organization of its first conference and the other was the publica-tion of its journal, Guerrilleros de la Pluma (today Guerrillera/os de la Pluma). The conference, held on Decem-ber 8, 1990, at San Diego City College, was organized under the theme of “The Resurgence of The Chicano Press”. The conference consisted of several “How To” workshops and the keynote speaker was the well-known Chicano journalist, Raul Ruiz, editor of one the most influential

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raZa PreSS aNd media aSSoCiaTioN: 20 YearS oF JourNaliSm CommiTTed To THe

liBeraTioN oF all oPPreSSed PeoPleS

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RPMA Reading List

Social JuStice and the cityby DaviD Harvey

J J J

celebrate PeoPle’S hiStory!: the PoSter book of reSiStance

and revolution by JoHn MacPHee

J J J

the hidden 1970S: hiStorieS of radicaliSm

by Dan bergerJ J J

migra!: a hiStory of the u.S. border Patrol

by Kelly lytle HernanDezJ J J

Stolen revolution by Pablo aceves

J J J

education, chicano StudieS, and raza liberation!by ernesto bustillos

J J J

diSmantling the emPire: america’S laSt beSt hoPe

by cHalMers JoHnsonJ J J

brown-eyed children of the Sun: leSSonS from the chicano

movement, 1965-1975by Jorge Mariscal

J J J

Schooling in caPitaliSt america: educational reform

and the contradictionS of economic life

by saMuel bowlesJ J J

Quixote’S SoldierS: a local hiStory of the chicano movement, 1966-1981

by DaviD MonteJanoJ J J

Editor’s Note: The Raza Press and Me-dia Association (RPMA) struggles for a so-cialist, anti-imperialist media. Our analysis –social, economic, and political– stems from the fact that Raza are indigenous to these lands [America, north and south]. We do not consider ourselves “immi-grants” or “foreigners” to what people call the “Americas”. This historical reality is fundamental to understanding the political stance of the RPMA. Therefore we sup-port the struggles for self-determination of all indigenous peoples. It is based on this principle that we publish the Declaration of the Continental Summit of Indigenous Communication that was produced at the “Fourth Continental Summit of Indigenous Nations” held in Puno, Peru, from Novem-ber 8-12, 2010.

CommiTmeNTS aNd TaSKS:1. We shall convene the next Continen-tal Communication Abya Yala Summit in 2013 in Mexico. We assume the collec-tive duty as groups, networks and indig-enous media organizations attending in this summit to work together towards the realization of this event. 2. Establish a virtual platform on indig-enous media in the form of a training mod-ule to be produced by a task group that will be composed of the following organi-zations.3. Establish a mobile school of integral indigenous communications, developed with internships, exchanges and other re-sources. 4. Create a continental archive of films, videos, radio programs, digital newspa-pers and other media, so that all indig-enous communicators have the resourc-es to conduct information campaigns to increase the visibility of our image of us as peoples and nations, via media pro-ductions created by ourselves, which will identify our common issues and specific realities, relevant to our values, worldviews, cultural practices and other themes of conjuncture, which can be dis-seminated in different languages of the In-digenous Peoples and nationalities of the

deClaraTioN oF THe CoNTiNeNTal SummiT oF

iNdiGeNouS CommuNiCaTioNAbya Yala.5. To sustain the life of Indigenous com-munication, in support of the worldview, values and our cultures in general in terms of languages, effectively addressing the problems and aspirations of indigenous peoples and nationalities.6. To strengthen Indigenous Communi-cation opportunities for the participation of women, youth, children and adults, given their significant contribution to the processes and struggles of Indigenous Peoples and nationalities.7. To combat exclusion in communica-tion with respect to women, children, in-digenous youth and older adults in order to achieve the development of our people in harmony with nature.8. To promote education and training pro-cesses for participation and development of the expertise of indigenous women in communication.9. To communicate the integral wisdom of Abya Yala in all contexts of the life of Indigenous Peoples and nations, via our continental alliance of autonomous com-munication networks.10. To appoint a commission to moni-tor the agreements and resolutions of this Summit. 11. To demand of the National govern-ments for clarification of the murders of indigenous communicators, so that these crimes do not go unpunished as was the case of Triqui sisters Teresa Bautista Me-rino and Felicitas Martínez Sánchez, of the radio program “Voice of Silence” in Copala, Mexico.12. To give greater articulation of the in-digenous media into broader social move-ments and processes.13. To collect the historical memory of our Indigenous Peoples and Nations and to promote intergenerational dialogue through communication.14. Share the experience of this Sum-mit to organizations, groups, Pueblos and Nations of the Indigenous Peoples of the continent Abya Yala.15. To develop our human resources

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Winter 2010


Summer 1991: CHICANO JOurNALISm, ITS HISTOrY AND ITS uSe AS A

WeAPON FOr LIBerATION

There are literally thousands, maybe even millions, of differ-ent kinds of publications/media in the society in which we live. We see them in the form of newspapers, in the form

of books, in the form of pamphlets, in the form of flyers, signs, and journals. The objective of this press is basically to keep us ignorant, to keep us content, happy and to instill in us the most degenerate, the most corrupt morals and ethics. It is here where we find sexism. It here is where we find racism. Here is where we find elit¬ism. Here is where we find drug use, tobacco, and alcohol. Here is where we find egotism and individualism. This is the main message of the “main stream press” today.

JJJ

Spring 1993: LIBerATION IS THe STruGGLe OF Our rAZA

The responsibility of any Raza publication is to produce ma-terial that informs and educates us to our fuck-up condi-tions. The Raza press must be able to outline our struggle

as Chicanos/as as one of national liberation. It should be able to point out that ‘land’ is the essence of our struggle.

JJJ

Spring 1995: meSSAGe FrOm THe COOrDINAOr

The nineties are a decade of hardship and tremendous chal-lenges for our movimiento and for our gente. We live in a time period where the oppressive measures by the US

government and its puppets make it a crime to be a Mexican north or south of the False Border. From the Clinton Crime Bill to Operation Gatekeeper in San Ysidro-CA, to Operation Blockade in El Paso-TX, to cutbacks on services to our gente, to the rac-ist Proposition 187, and other anti-Mexicano legislation, to the bombing of our gente in Chiapas, to those of our people who find themselves locked down in the prisons of this system, the message is clear: the sistema will do whatever it must to keep our gente from uniting and gain any real power over own lives in our own land.

JJJ

Spring 1998: COmBATTING NeGATIVe STruGGLe IN Our mOVImIeNTO

In an effort to keep or gente confused and prevent us from growing, the White Power Structure and its Brown Vendido Flunkies have engaged in a continuous campaign of disin-

formation throughout our 500 (plus) years history [of colonial oc-cupation]. As far back as the early days of the Spanish invasion and advent of Missions (concentration camps), there were those traitors who went to our people to convince them not to resist the European genocide and to go quietly to the Mission where they would pray to the destruction of their language, culture, health and their lives. This trend has continued to the present day with self-appointed ‘leaders’ trying to convince us to work within the system; that the days of militant struggle are over; that the orga-nizations that struggle for self-determination and won’t submit are ‘dangerous’, etc.

JJJ

Summer 1999: A rePOrT FrOm THe CHICANO PreSS PLATICA

A serious critique took place around the current state of what is known as the progressive or radical Raza media. Partici-pants pointed to the fact that there currently exists dozens

of movement publications, small publishers, bookstores, radical/political artists and performers (poets, rock bands, etc.), Raza web-pages, etc. -but the great majority of them are the expres-sions and the work of individuals who see the movement as a “hobby”, personal artistic articulations, or personal property to which they have sole control. This is basically an approach to work that negates collectivity and accountability, two fundamen-tal elements necessary for the organization of a revolutionary movement. These expressions and articulations were identified as bourgeois tendencies that the Raza press must struggle with and either win them over to work collectively with the movement formations (as many of these are the products of honest indi-viduals), or find ways to neutralized the influence they have over the masses.

JJJ

Spring-Winter 2002: uTILIZANDO LA PLumA COmO uN FuSIL

sEE “LA PLUmA” PAgE 10

SHorT SeleCTioN oF CiTaTioNS From PaST iSSueS oF Guerrilleroa/oS de la Pluma:

we learN From HiSTorY THaT a reVoluTioNarY media CaN oNlY exiST iF iT iS

Tired To aCTiViSm...

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publication of the Chicano Power Move-ment, La Raza Magazine. The first publication of the CPA was “Guerrilleros de la Pluma”, which came out in the Spring of 1991. This first issue of “Guerrilleros de la Pluma” was printed magazine size and had an image of Zapata on its cover. Inside its pages were the goals and objectives of the CPA, and on its mast were the first official mem-bers of the CPA: Corazón de Aztlán, El Popo, La Causa (at that time newsletter of the National Chicano Moratorium Com-mittee), La Patria Es Una, La Verdad, La Voz del Congreso, Nuestra Cosa, Somos Raza, and Voz Fronteriza. A few months later publications such as La Gente, El Andar, Todos So-mos Raza, Voz Mestiza, El Sembrador, and others, would join the CPA –while others would leave. A few, who had heard of its re-establishment, contacted the CPA explaining that they wanted to be part of the association. As part of its recruitment efforts, outreach was done to movement orga-nizations that still upheld revolutionary nationalist politics, such as the La Raza Unida Party, Movimento de Liberación Nacional (MLN), as well as to publications in existence such as El Tecolote. During these early years of its development, members of the CPA dem-onstrated a high level of commitment and sacrifice. Sleeping in the homes of ac-tivists (usually on the floor) and in rental cars, CPA members traveled throughout much of California, Arizona, and Nuevo Mexico, attending MEChA and movement conferences in an attempt recruit mem-bers into the association. And it was not rare for members to do “all nighters” (work throughout the night) in order to meet publication deadlines. A particularly important aspect of the CPA was that even though student publications composed a significant mem-ber of its membership, it was not a project that originated from the academia. The CPA was not an idea, concoction, or un-dertaking from a “journalist department” or “Chicano Studies Department” –it came from a grassroots barrio-based organiza-tion and it has always considered itself as part of the “movimiento”. In fact, rarely have academicians participated or con-tributed resources to the CPA. The only tie that the CPA has had to the university

FRom “mEdiA” PAgE 3 has been the practice of “liberating re-sources” for the benefit of the movement. As a new formation, the CPA had to confront the necessity of defining itself and where it was heading. Central to this was to create the journalism that would be relevant to the conditions posed by a new era of struggle. This called for an exami-nation of the past and learning from it. As well as finding the resources it needed to implement the tasks identified as crucial; this included equipment and technology (internet, etc.) –which at that time was not available in a mass way. As previously noted, the CPA was “re-born” after a long period of extreme demoralization, defeatism, and cynicism, caused by COINTELPRO. Therefore it was no surprise that the CPA encountered negativism from those who claimed to be “movement people”. These included “in-fantile” types within the student movement who perceived anyone not based on cam-pus as “outsiders”, and the existing “His-panic” media who saw the CPA as political rivals and purposely ignored its existence. A specifically backward clique of students existed in East Los Angeles College dur-ing this particular period in the develop-ment of the CPA. (For more on this period read Chicano Journalism: Its History and Use As A Weapon Of Liberation)

iii. 1996-2000. ComBaTiNG liBeraliSm, wiTHiN aNd ouTSide THe CPa.The years 1996 to 2000, while a tremen-dous amount of work was accomplished, was a period of inconsistency for the CPA. Meetings were canceled or months will pass without a meeting. Progressive or revolutionary journalism continued be vir-tually non-existence. There was extreme liberalism found within those who joined the CPA or whom it came into contact. Some would show interest in the revolutionary journal-ism promoted by the CPA and would be all “excited” about getting involved. These forces would verbalize what they were go-ing to do for the “betterment” of La Raza. Then, within a month or two, would liter-ally disappear. Some forces that were either part of the CPA or connected with it in some level like El Andar lost its “Chicanismo” and exist today as Hispanic petty bour-geois publications. Others secured “fund-

ing”, got lost in the nonprofit industrial complex, and gave up any commitment they had made to the liberation strug-gle. While some, like El Popo (Cal State Northridge) became Chicano Studies Journalism Classes with very little political content or a professor’s “teaching tool”. A few used the skills they acquired from the CPA for their own personal gains. Yet, in spite of all of these ob-stacles and negativism, Guerrilleros de la Pluma and CPA continued to struggle to create a space for the development of a Raza revolutionary media. Members participated in various publications and facilitated workshops at high school and college conferences. Always aiming to explain and create the type of journalism that would oppose the prevailing “His-panic” media, which was supported or imposed upon our communities by the colonial-capitalists. It was during this period that the CPA engaged in some critical work. This included (a) the support, thorough its member publications, of the Ejercito Za-patista de Liberación Nacional (EZLN), which was waging an armed struggle in defense of indigenous Mexicanos in Chi-apas; and (b) an important role in the building of “25th Anniversary of the Chi-cano Moratorium”. In fact, Guerrilleros de la Pluma, from 1996 to 1998, became the official organ of the National Chicano Mor-atorium Committee. The CPA also played a prominent role in the organizing of the historic march in Tucson to condemn the anniversary of the “1848 Tratado de Guadalupe Hidalgo” –the year the United States stole and oc-cupied the northern half of Mexico. The march took place in February of 1998, with over 2,000 Raza marching militant-ly and calling for the liberation of all op-pressed peoples. To this day, it has been one of the largest marches with “national liberation” as it main focus, ever to be held in Tucson. Opposition to the existence of the CPA, mostly in the form “passive resis-tance”, continued throughout much of this period. It came from three sectors: (a) the neocolonialist Hispanics (many of them straight out vendidos) media who were opposed to self-determination/liberation politics; (b) academics who thought they knew it all and considered movimiento me-dia activists as naive and unsophisticated;

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explained that, “We are part of a historical legacy of struggle and resistance in the region. We are connected to the Mexi-can resistance to oppression that dates back to the sugar beet strikes, the lemon pickers strike, the Community Service Organization, the Brown Be-rets, the United Farm Work-ers, the strawberry boycott, all of which organized out of the same barrio we continue to or-ganize in today.”

iN deFeNSe oF CHi-CaNo STudieS aNd raZa media Shortly after his critical role in establishing a base of resistance in Oxnard and grad-uating from the local Oxnard Community College, Luis went onto study at San Diego State University, where he contin-ued to organize with Unión del Barrio. Later, he transferred to California State University at Northridge; again, where he continued to participate in or-ganizing activities, particularly in the area of Chicano Studies. After receiving his graduate degrees in Chicano Studies, he went onto and is currently a PhD Candidate working on his dissertation at Michigan State University; while there directly participating in the frontlines of the defense of the rights of

and (c) the infantile student elements who saw any group not based on “their” campus as “outsiders.”

iV. 2001- 2004. Pe-riod oF CoNSolida-TioN aNd CoNSiS-TeNCYThe period of 2001 to 2004 was one of consolidation and consistency for the CPA. The quality of media production improved greatly and new forces joined the association. Especially important was the incorporation into the CPA of compas Luis and Jose More-no from the Oxnard, Califas. Others who soon became invaluable were Francisco Romero (also from Oxnard) and Cathy Espitia (Las Calles Y La Torcida, the newsletter of the Chicano Mexicano Prison Project). These compas pro-vided the foundation, both physically and motivationally, which enabled the CPA to not only survive, but also mature into the most advance Raza media group currently exist-ing within the borders of Oc-cupied America (U.S.). Under the direction of Luis Moreno, the CPA began to produce Guerrilleros de la Pluma on a regular basis. It was also Compa Luis who advanced the use of technol-ogy in the production of CPA material. This included the use of the Internet, creation and maintaining of a website, and archiving of past issues and other documents. At a general meeting held in San Diego on May 11, 2002, with goal of being more inclusive, the CPA changed its name to the Raza Press Association (RPA). It did so understanding that the term “Raza” includes all Latin Americans and Indigenous people living in what is called the “Americas”. Also during this pe-

FRom “mEdiA” PAgE 6 riod an important and critical conference was organized by the RPA. It brought together a wide-range of media workers to its “National Conference On The Raza Press, Media, and Popular Expression, which was held on Sept. 14, 2002, in Oxnard, Califaztlán, at the Cafe on A Street. The confer-ence was attended by more than 100 people, which in some form or another, were working in the area of journal-ism. Among the speakers and panelists were Antonia Darder, Juan Gomez Quiñonez, Jose Montoya, Elizabeth “Betita” Martinez, Cecilia Ubilla, Guill-ermo Bejarano, Luis Rodri-guez, Armando Vazquez, and Wali Rahman. A particular area in which the RPA had a signifi-cant impact, was its participa-tion in the National Association on Chicano Chicana Studies (NACCS) conferences. It was during this period in the histo-ry of the RPA that it began, on a regular basis, to attend the NACCS conferences, facilitat-ing workshops and participat-ing in its Community Caucus. The RPA was one of the few organizations to struggle, both within NACCS and outside, to turn around Chicano Stud-ies from an campus institu-tionalized area of study, to a science in the service of the people –as it was originally in-tended to be. Another tremendous-ly important event organized by the RPA during this period was the RPA National Summit held in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on Sept. 20, 2003, on the cam-pus of Eastern State Michi-gan. Though poorly attended and with little support, the RPA was able to hold a meeting to critically sum-up the ques-tion of Raza media and what needed to be done. Out of the retreat came what is known as the Detroit Papers: Devel-

Raza, Chicano Studies, and Raza Media. There is a rich his-tory of struggle and steadfast commitment to liberation of the masses of our community that Luis has contributed to. He has played an essential role within the Raza Press and Media Association (RPMA). He has been the chair, edi-tor, writer-contributor, and has maintained the central website for the RPMA for over a de-cade. For years, Compa Luis also maintained several other websites, such as Art by Louie Moreno (his father’s artwork website), Committee on Raza Rights, and Unión del Barrio. Currently, Luis is a leading force for the Michigan-based Xicano Development Center’s Radio Free Aztlán, a monthly online podcast. His role in the programming, editing, and technical aspects of audio podcasting has led to a new phase of community outreach for the RPMA. There is a lot more of Compañero Luis’s rich history of struggle and steadfast com-mitment to liberation struggle and to the development of a Raza-led independent that we can write about; the above mentioned simply scratches the surface. J

FRom “LUis” PAgE 2


PaST Guerrillera/o de la Pluma award

wiNNer:

2009 - ernesto Bustillos2008 - Cathy espitia and

Francisco romero2006 - raymundo reynoso

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moving towards self-sustain-ability of the communications processes.16. To build mobile and per-manent training processes on indigenous media.17. To make alliances with public and private universities, and indigenous intercultural in-stitutions wishing to participate across the countries of the continent to establish master’s and doctoral programs in in-digenous communication from the perspective of our needs and worldviews.18. To establish guidelines for indigenous radio stations and indigenous media in gen-eral, based on the core prin-ciples of each distinct indig-enous Pueblo and Nation.19. To disseminate via the media the information regard-ing the rights of indigenous peoples which have been ad-opted internationally, along with national legislation and specific laws.20. To prioritize the discus-sion of Indigenous Commu-nication as essential, on the agenda of the indigenous or-ganizations of Abya Yala.21. To generate proposals to advance sustainability of proj-ects from a perspective of au-tonomy.22. To recognize that the search for sustainability should not compromise or limit the exercise of Indigenous Com-munication, and should not be reduced to the solely the financial aspect as consider-ation must be given to a com-prehensive sustainability that takes into account all aspects of the communication process-es, including such as issues as cultural context and quality of content.23. Regarding external fi-nancing, special care should be taken to ensure that the foundations and supporting organizations do not interfere with the autonomy of Indige-

FRom “mEdiA” PAgE 7oping The Means To Wake Up The Masses! , a document that both provides an ideologi-cal framework for Raza media and practical-grassroots sug-gestions on how to implement a liberation oriented media. Throughout this pe-riod, RPA members continued to attend conferences and or-ganized dozens of retreats, conference, workshops, etc. –all with the objective devel-oping a Raza Journalism that was consistent, politically ma-tured, and profession. Yet there were still some real shortcomings that were identified and that need-ed to be address. These were (a) the inability to win over a significant number of me-dia works to join the RPA; (b) many of its meetings were not productive; (c) there still ex-isted a need to clarify its struc-ture and functions. Adding to the prob-lems caused by its shortcom-ings, the RPA saw that most Raza media workers were into anarchistic (anti-organization) or individualist style of work. Most were into posting and blogging, but not tied any or-ganization or collective.

V. 2005-2010. raZa PreSS aNd media aSSoCiaTioN moVeS ForwardThis period open up with meet-ings where serious dialogue, often critical and heated, took place around what the struc-ture of RPA should be. Finally, in 2008, the current structure of the association was decided upon and to this date it has en-abled the RPA to strengthen and fortify itself. This structure calls for the RPA to exist as a “coalition” of independent collectives and individuals that agree with the goals and objectives of the association; objectives that would be attainable and real-

istic. It consists of a work-ing mesa directiva of at least four people, whose task is to ensure that the agreements decided upon at the general meetings will materialize. As a result, the work of the RPA became more productive. As part of this consolidation of its work, at its January of 2007 general meeting (held in San Diego), the RPA added Me-dia to its name, becoming the Raza Press and Media Asso-ciation (RPMA). Mainly through the efforts of Compa Luis More-no, the RPMA has archived the last decade of Guerrillera/os de la Pluma and greatly enhanced its quality. Through its pages, Guerrillera/os de la Pluma challenges the “intel-lectual and academic” sec-tor to work for the masses and support the liberation movement, as well as expos-ing the many ways that the mainstream media serves as a tool of oppression. The contents of Guerrillera/os de la Pluma have enriched the political history of La Raza. During these last five years, the RPMA website has received hundreds of hits per month from throughout the world. It has published move-ment books and other forms of media. These includes, Revolutionary Reflections: Life and Struggles, A Raza Perspective by Francisco Romero, Chicano Journal-ism: Its History And Its Use As A Weapon For Libera-tion, 2nd Edition by Ernesto Bustillos, 2009 Compilation of Guerrillera/os de la Pluma, Reports, and Articles edited by Ernesto Bustillos and Luis Moreno, Reflexion del Chica-no (18x24 poster) by Louie H. Moreno, Memoirs of A Mexi-cana Revolutionary by Irene Mena, Celia Sanchez: Guer-rillera and Symbol of Revo-lutionary Commitment by Er-

FRom “indigEnoUs” PAgE 4 nous Communication projects.24. To not allow the practice any discrimination in the field of indigenous media.25. The content of the indig-enous media should pay spe-cial attention to the informa-tion necessary to achieve food sovereignty, promote con-sumption of healthy foods and evaluate the importance of tra-ditional foods and diets typical of our peoples, promoting the achievement of the practice of Living with Wellness, in its various forms depending on the culture of each Indigenous Pueblo and Nation.26. To systematize our own methodologies for the appro-priate design and production of content for Indigenous Me-dia.27. The Indigenous Commu-nication should emphasize the present crisis of Western civili-zation in order to properly re-assess the lifestyle of our own peoples.28. To engage the agenda of the United Nations on en-vironmental issues with the purpose to introduce content on the issues that reflects our views moving towards greater understanding among the ma-jority societies of the countries of the continent.29. Indigenous Communica-tion must work constantly to decolonize the conceptions imposed upon Abya Yala, bringing forward our own no-tions and concepts in order to strengthen our relationship with the cosmos, with life, and to clarify our relationship with all other human beings, in-cluding our neighbors and en-emies.30. We propose as indig-enous media, to promote the articulation and structuring of a continental organizational structure with foundation of the existing organizations.31. In terms of the use of In-formation and Communication

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nesto Bustillos. Raza Book Fests have been held in San Diego and Los Angeles. Media ac-tivists and authors such as Luis Rodriguez, Raul Salinas, Jorge Mariscal, Victor Ochoa, Elizabeth “Betita” Martinez, Rosaura Sanchez, Cecilia Ubilla, Manuel Velez, Juan Gomez Quiñones, Antonia Dardar, Rudy Acuña, Penny Hess, Benjamin Olguin, Pau-la Reynoso, Irene Vazquez, Omali Yeshitela, Reymundo Reynoso, and Devra Weber, have presented at the book-fests. Pushing forward, advancing, and lobbying for the creation of a mass as-sociation of revolutionary journalists and media work-ers, RPMA members did a tremendous amount of trav-eling these last five years. Members have journeyed to Chicago, New York, Pitts-burgh, Albuquerque, Tucson, Austin, Miami, Central Amer-ica, Cuba, and Venezuela, to observe and learn from the struggle of other progressive forces. Throughout this par-ticular period, the most con-sistent members of the RPMA have been Jose Moreno, Luis Moreno, Benjamin Prado, An-tonio Velasquez, Francisco Romero, and Ernesto Bustil-los. Yet with all of its ad-vances, the RPMA is self-critical of some areas of its work. A primary failure of the RPMA has been its inability to bring women into its leader-ship. This is a problem for the movement in general. It is a question that the RPMA has attempted to resolve in the past and which will be a pri-ority in the meetings to come. Also, opposition to RPMA from both the state, those within the movement, and the “left” continues, at vari-

FRom “mEdiA” PAgE 8 ous levels, to impact our work; this question also must be ad-dressed. Finally, the RPMA continues to face a scarcity of resources and general recruit-ment is still a problem.

Vi. SummaTioN oF PoliCieS aNd CoN-CerNS oF THe raZa PreSS aNd media aSSoCiaTioN.The following is a summation and recap of some policies and concerns that guide the work of the RPMA:

1. The RPMA has worked tirelessly to promote and move forward Raza revolutionary media. It is a transparent orga-nization, posting the minutes and outcomes of its general meetings on the Internet. The RPMA meets on a regular ba-sis and invites revolutionary or progressive media workers to attend. Literally thousands of e-mails and phone calls have been made in an effort to out-reach and bring those involved in Raza media into some form of “working in unity.”

2. For twenty years, the RPMA has provided a space for training, learning, and shar-ing. It has organized panels and invited others to joins us as “equal partners”, with no conditions imposed upon them, to speak and share their views. The RPMA has always demonstrated an openness to share what we know –and like-wise –open to learning from others.

3. The RPMA has struggled to “show case” the work of Raza progressive and revolutionary media workers. The Book-Fests have been efforts to en-able media workers to present their work. The most progres-sive Raza journalist and writ-ers have participated in the RPMA BookFests.

Technologies, which are used by the great powers that pre-vail in society to do away with our identity as peoples and suppress our historical resis-tance, the projects of Indig-enous Communication must be implemented to enhance our indigenous memory, our ancestral heritage, our organi-zational processes and our will to fight and be free.32. To strengthen opportuni-ties for audiovisual and multi-media production to advance the accumulation of commu-nity knowledge in the use of these technologies.33. To give priority to the use of free software and seek to develop our own systems ac-cessible to our communities, considering in the messaging battle regarding Indigenous Communication, we have yet to be validated and broadcast via our own alphabets, ideo-graphs and characters.34. To integrate a directory of media specialists who wish to collaborate with indigenous communication Abya Yala and as such serve as a permanent technical team for advice on the proper use of information and communication technolo-gies.35. To prepare a climate cri-sis campaign. 36. To create a DECLARA-

TION for the year 2012, to be proclaimed as International Year of Indigenous Communi-cation. 37. To promote a prepara-tory meeting to share and co-ordinate with other regional organizations.38. To sponsor an incentive to give recognition individually and collectively, outstanding indigenous communication ini-tiatives.39. To work on strengthening our ancestral knowledge and cognition through research to provide material for the con-tent of the indigenous commu-nication of Abya Yala.40. To promote the creation of a communication unit to produce audiovisual products derived from our own concep-tions. 41. To strengthen all artistic practices of communication such as photography, draw-ing, painting, dance and other authentic expressions of Indig-enous Pueblos and Nations.

reSoluTioN:The Summit resolved that this Declaration will be published in all indigenous languages of the Pueblos and Nations of the continent of Abya Yala. J

la maria Piendamó, Cauca, Colombia

November 12, 2010

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4. True to praxis, the RPMA has demonstrated that it does not only uses the media as a form of critique, but actu-ally engages in the struggles of the masses. Its members have helped with commu-nity newsletters and press releases, how to workshops, attended demonstrations and marches, etc. RMPA mem-bers write or edit Las Calles Y La Torcida (Chicano Mexicano Prison Project), El Pueblo Unido (Raza Rights Coalition), etc. Recently, it has been in the forefront of the struggles against ICE raids (redadas), gentrification, and survival of Chicano/Raza Studies. Mem-bers are not “just passive ob-servers” of struggle, but active participants in the struggle.

5. The RPMA continues to ad-vance the publication and pro-duction of revolutionary Raza media. It has produced numer-ous videos and podcasts –an area of which the RPMA is highly proud of and is commit-ted to expand.

6. The RPMA, through all of its work, attempts to explain the theory and practice of lib-eration struggle. Discussion circles and platicas, have been held with others progressive forces as a means to find or contribute to theoretical devel-opment of Raza revolutionary media. The RPMA has made public calls for perspectives on how the imperialist media functions in its oppression of the world’s nations and peo-ples, and what those seeking to end oppression must do.

7. The RPMA has openly called our communities to sup-port the fundamental change society and not be part of a capitalist-imperialist para-sitic system that robs and op-presses people. Articles in Guerrillera/os de la Plumaare

anti-capitalist/colonialism and it doesn’t shy way from telling our community about the real source of their oppression. The RPMA has exposed the Democratic and Republican Parties for what they truly are: two heads of the same para-sitic and oppressive beast. It is formation that is indepen-dent from corporations or the government, and depends on its members for existence.

8. The RPMA, with all its limitations, is international in scope. This has let us to be supportive of the Cuban, Bo-livia, Ecuadorian, and Ven-ezuelan revolutions. It has written articles on the na-ture of changes taking place around the world. RPMA membership has gained first hand knowledge from their travels and is shared through their perspective areas of me-dia work. International work will continue to be an im-portant aspect of the RPMA work.

9. Finally, RPMA has served as a “bridge” between the ac-tivism of the Chicano Power Movement (late 1960s and early 1970s) and struggle coming down today (2011). It is one of the few groups who documents the “people’s his-tory” –promoting the historical memory of the masses and not the tiny bourgeois elite. The goal of the establishment of a center for Raza Stud-ies that will both archive and serve as think tank, continues to be a priority. Guerrillera/os de la Pluma, its journal is now moving to its 20 years of publication –something that very few publications can lay claims to.J

adelante SiempreVenceremos

FRom “mEdiA” PAgE 9el gringo capitalista destruye el espíritu rebel-de y liberatorio utilizando

los medios de comunicación (televisión, periódicos, revis-tas, libros, etc.) y institucio-nes (escuelas, colegios, etc.), para influenciar y manipular la información que recibimos día tras día. Esta información beneficia y sostiene la histo-ria, filosofía, y experiencias del opresor, y al mismo tiempo propone a niveles extremos negar , esconder, y virtual-mente extermina las experien-cias del pueblo oprimido. El ‘Guerrillero/a de la Pluma” uti-lizara sus paginas para armar a nuestro pueblo con la infor-mación y ideologías que inspi-rara un espíritu rebelde y liber-atorio; y alzara la bandera que cargo Ricardo Flores Magón, Emma Tenayuca, Florencio “El Güero” Medrano, el Che Gue-vara, y todos los compañeros y compañeras que han lucha-do y continúan luchar por la autodeterminación y liberación de los pueblos oprimidos!

JJJ

Summer 2004: THe STruGGLe AGAINT THe

DISTOrTIONS AND COmmerCIALISm OF THe mAIN-STreAm meDIA

A solution must be to es-tablish an alternative network to promote real

journalism, real media forum, on real media issues affect-ing our community as Raza. We have to utilize the Internet, e-groups, Email, and technol-ogy, to get our perspective out there to masses of working class people. This is what we have been doing as the RPA. We have gone out to the com-

munity and campuses, trying to recruit and wake up people by publishing material that is revolutionary and progressive, and challenging the status quo.

JJJ

Fall-Winter 2005: SeCOND ANNuAL BArrIO

BOOKFeST

The general objective of this year’s bookfest was to bring together progres-

sive and revolutionary Raza writers of all genre and forms to address questions posed to our communities by the ‘mainstream media’, as well as to continuing the RPA’s goal of building alternative media whose aims our to raise con-sciousness and fight for the rights and self-determination of La Raza. The Barrio Book-Fest is going down in history as a major contribution to the struggle to build a Raza al-literative media network that would provide the truth and objectivity to the masses of working classpeople.

JJJ

Spring/Winter 2007: THrOuHOuT LATIN AmerICA AND INSIDe THe

BeAST, THe meDIA SuPPOrTS THe CAPITALIST OPPreSSION OF THe mASSeS

Living under capitalism (where all the means of production are in the

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RPMA BOOKS | raza Press, Media, and PoPular exPression

$18 (includes postage) $7 (includes postage)$10 (includes postage)

hands of the rich) means that what is most important to those who rule society is not the common good for most human beings; all this ruling class cares about is the con-centration and accumulation of wealth. For this reason, the media, just like the educational system, functions as elements of social control. Their job is to force upon the masses the “values of society” –that tells us that we must identify with big business and rich people, and that we alienate from and hate our own class (the work-ers, colonized people). The role of the media, in Latin America and within the bor-ders of the so-called US, ex-ist to socialize the masses of our gente to the “American way of life” and the supposed values it represents. This pro-cess tries to steer workers and poor, away from realizing their class interests and to identify and sympathize with their op-pressors.

JJJ

Fall 2009: We LeArN FrOm

HISTOrY THAT A reVOLuTONArY meDIA CAN ONLY eXIST IF IT IS

TIeD TO ACTIVISm

From the onset, we want to say that the RPMA’s analysis [social, econom-

ic, and political] stems from the fact that Raza are indigenous to these lands [America, north and south]. We do not consid-er ourselves “immigrants” or “foreigners” to what people call the “Americas”. This historical reality is fundamental to under-standing the political stance of the RPMA. We also hold an outlook that examines critical social and political questions facing our communities from an activist point of view. It is a perspective that upholds the importance of a progressive and revolutionary media as an integral component of the struggle for self-determination of La Raza and the liberation of all oppressed people.

JJJ


aNNouNCemeNTS

$6 (includes postage)

Raza PRess and Media association

P.o. Box 620095san diego, ca 92162

Website: http://razapressassociation.org • e-Mail: [email protected]

STaTemeNT oF PurPoSe:The Raza Press and Media Association is the only national group of progressive journalists working towards winning justice, peace, and freedom for all Mexicano-Latinos (Raza). We meet on a regular basis, have an organiza-tional structure, principles of unity, objectives, and we consistently published journal, Guer-rilleros de La Pluma.

In response to the continuing and growing assaults on the right to information and free-dom of expression, especially as it relates to Raza and other oppressed nationalities and peoples within the current borders of the United States, the Raza Press Associa-tion (formerly known as the Chicano Press Association) is making another call on Raza (students, journalists, community activists, and academicians) active in the field of media (journalism, radio, TV, popular art, spoken word, computer information, etc.) to submit articles related to the question of The Role of Raza Press, Media, And Popular Expression In Our Struggle For Democracy, Justice, And Self-determination.

a Call For articles on raza Press, media, and Popular expression For The upcoming issue...

The articles must address the historical/cur-rent onslaught on progressive and alternative thought. We see this fascist-racist attack com-ing down both “within the belly of the beast” from FBI, Police, Mainstream Media, Christian Right, Vendidos, etc., and externally from the CIA, Military Industrial Complex, Global Capital-ism, and so forth.

A major objective of these attacks on progres-sive thought is a conscious racist-capitalist ef-fort to eliminate all programs which were initially developed for the purpose of advancing the educational and cultural development of the Raza community; for example: Chicano Stud-ies, Ethnic Studies, Progressive Publications and Programs at Colleges and Universities, Raza Cultural Celebrations at elementary and high schools, Centro Culturales, and Bilingual/Multicultural Education.

Selected articles will be published in the Guer-rilleros de la Pluma. Issues of Guerrilleros de La Pluma are distributed widely. Copies are circulated at political actions, colleges, librar-ies, and conferences; they are mailed Raza

prisoners and a subscribers list; the journal is also posted online (Internet). Literally thou-sands of people read the journal.

CriTeria For arTiCleS:(1) articles must be between 3 and 5 pages (no longer please), typed and doubled space (Fonts 10 or 12 points). If you submit a re-search type working paper, when quoting, or referring to data, use footnotes or endnotes and a bibliography for documentation pur-poses. Writing styles that could be use are the following; Chicago, APA, and MLA. (2) send your articles via e-mail ([email protected]) or on a floppy disk/CD (i.e. MS Words, etc.) to the following ad-dress:

raZa PreSS aNd media aSSoCiaTioN

aTTN: GuerrilleroS de la Pluma

P.o. Box 620095SaN dieGo, Ca 92162

Documents

Guerrillera/os de la Pluma, Winter 2010