letters

Monday, November 18, 1996

Guzman correct in observations

I am writing in response to Mimi Guzman’s article "Standing up
to the political, cultural status quo." Finally, somebody from the
Chicano (Mexican-American, Latino, whatever the hell you want to
call us, we’re still human beings) community has voiced the opinion
that most of us Chicano UCLA students have held regarding the
intimidating, anti-social, racist organization known as MEChA.

I’m very proud of my race and background, and I think it’s
disgusting and extremely annoying that the organization that is
supposed to be the main representation of UCLA Chicano students is
composed of a group of whiny, maladjusted, egotistical individuals
whose only purpose seems to be to piss people off. They’re exactly
the type of bigoted, wannabe revolutionaries I wanted to get away
from in high school.

I want to thank Mimi for expressing in her article the feelings
of frustration and anger my friends and I share about the lack of
unity among Latino groups on campus. I hope she realizes that
although she will inevitably receive a lot of flack from the
so-called "real" Mexicans, she is supported by the larger group of
nonvocal Chicano students who really do give a damn about their
culture.

Jesse J. Torres

Third year

Psychology