The Movimiento Estudiantil Xicana/o de Aztlán (Chicana/o Student Movement of Aztlán), or MEXA, is a student organization that focuses on educating Chicano students about political and social issues. Aztlán refers to both the philosophical and physical homeland of the Chicano people and usually refers to the Southwest United States.
The group consists of about 10 consistent members, but many students come and go. Sierra Lopez is a family community services senior and a member of MEXA.
The State News When was the group founded?
Sierra Lopez The group came out of the Chicano movement. In 1969 there was the first ever national youth conference for Chicano and Chicana students. At MSU, the group was founded in the mid- to early ’90s. I’m not sure of the exact year. So it’s been here for over 10 years.
SN What is the purpose of the group?
SL The main purposes of the group are becoming socially and politically aware to issues that affect Chicano populations, but also other struggling or oppressed populations. But we focus on Chicano-Latino population. One of the main goals is community involvement. Making sure we’re in the communities, in the neighborhoods, getting our fellow, younger Chicanos and Chicanas educated or encouraging them to become very politically active and being outspoken as far as injustices go.
SN What are some events the group participates in?
SL We usually have an event for the Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 16), which is a big deal in our community. Also, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead, Nov. 1 and 2) — we usually host an event for that. We host a series of event during Chicano History Month (Sept. 15 through Oct. 15) from movies and discussions to little presentations. Hopefully we’ll be able to bring artists this year.
SN How did you get involved with the group?
SL I was visiting the campus a lot before I transferred here from (Eastern Michigan University), so I started going to meetings then. I was visiting because I knew friends and people. One of the friends I was visiting, she took me to a meeting and so I would go and came in communication with the Mexistas (active Chicano students) here. I became officially part of the group when I moved up here. This is going on three and a half years.
SN Why did the group appeal to you?
SL Because MEXA fills a void that a lot of other organizations are afraid to fill, and that’s the political awareness and standing up for what is right and standing up for your people and being proud of your heritage. And I feel like a lot of that gets subdued or oppressed or you’re not supposed to really feel that way or speak out. But I was always a person who didn’t have a problem speaking out against things that I saw as unjust or at least educating people. But it’s also a very unified group. The members who are there are very close and the group is one that is about social justice, not just for Chicano and Chicana organizations, but as far as issues like gender and sexuality go.
For more information, contact Sierra Lopez at lopezsie@msu.edu.
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