MECha Demands Video
We, students of Kalamazoo College, representing ourselves as Chican@s, organized as mechistas, and united with the Latin@ community have come here to propose a possible solution to the many frustrations we face at this institution. We want to take advantage of the attention called by Mr. Gomez-Pena’s presentation, to be able to let our voices be heard. We hereby present y’all with our list of demands:
1)
As current Chican@s present in this institution, we demand that future generation Chican@s coming to this campus are able to open the history books and actually find OUR history in it!
2)
We demand that Latin@s on this campus be empowered through EDUCATION, not just dialogue.
Having a Chican@s Studies department will build confidence within the Latino population which will ultimately empower students to become leaders and give back to their communities.
3)
We demand the establishment of a Chican@ Studies Department on campus, as a way for the administration to show us they care about the Latin@ community on campus
Having a Chican@ Studies department will demonstrate that we are not just brought here to diversify the campus, but that administration truly cares about us and wants to see us succeed.
4)
We demand that the administration expands their approach to social justice by supporting latin@ students on campus:
As students of color on campus, often first generation, we want a department that will support us through understanding our experiences and where we come from.
5)
We demand that the administration increase diversity outside the student body: We want faculty that looks like us:
More students of color, specifically Latin@s will be drawn to this institution knowing that they will come to a campus where they will be able to relate to the professors like Dr. Salinas and Dr. Garriga-Lopez and materials at a personal level. As Chican@s on campus, we want professors and administrators who we can relate to.
6)
We demand that Anglo, non-Anglo, and non-Chican@ students to become anti-racists allies by educating themselves on issues that affect other communities living in this nation:
The Chican@ Studies department will also create stronger solidarity among K students who will empower each other to become allies and advocate an actual community of social Justice. It will encourage everyone to learn EVERYONE’S story. Burst the K bubble! Engage, tie in, with the Kalamazoo Community beyond service learning
Roxy
WE WANT TO LOOK-
THROUGH HISTORY BOOKS -
AND FIND OUR HISTORY IN IT!
Ale and Karla
Let us take a moment of silence for those whom the institution has FAILED!
Natalie Molina
Ana Martinez
Samantha Estrada
Celinas Silva
Stephanie Seguras
Julio Romero
Ivan Chaves
Elie Mendoza
Catherine Cueto
Lizeth Martinez
Juan Pablo Calban
Jonathan
To those of you who are no longer with us, we hope that you were able to find the support that this institution till this day has failed to provide.
With that said we would like to clarify that:
We are Not intimidating. We are real people with real experiences and a long history in this country. We are not here to harass ANYONE. We would just like every single one of you in this room to listen to us.
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