About Us

MEXA is an acronym for Movimiento Estudiatil Xicana/o de Aztlan. MEXA is a National student organization. The goals of MEXA are to promote and recruit students into higher education, retain our cultural identity, preserve and study our history, maintain ties with the Xicano community, and become politically active.

What are the guiding documents?
El Plan de Aztlan, El Plan de Santa Barbara, and the Philosophy of MEXA

Preamble
As Mexistas we believe that self-determination should be actualized through our culture, history, education, and political involvement. By taking our destiny back into our own hands we will rise above the oppression of classism, sexism, homophobia, and racism. This Reclamation process will be guided by humanitarian concerns for all brothers and sisters.

As Xicana/o students of the University of California, CalPoly we must take responsibility to promote the advancement of nuestra gente through the development of critical consciousness. Thus through outreach efforts we must promote not only higher education, but the liberation of out minds as well. In order to encourage Xicanismo within the community, politicize our Raza, and continue struggle for self-determination of the Xicana/o people, and move toward the liberation of Aztlan.

What is a Mexista

A Mexista is a student who cares about our people and who will not be silent when it comes to the rights and well being of their fellow students and communities. Mexista's are students who believe in themselves and realize that no one group is going to help them or their community but themselves. Mechista's are students who fight for the rights to have more students attend college by adding in the development and fulfillment of programs such as Affirmative Action, Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP), and Chicano Studies Departments. Mechista's understand that there are things in life that, "one must know." one's past, one's present, and one's future. by understanding your ancestors and your history then one can realize the fundamentals of a cultural background which will bring respect and self-pride. By understanding the past can one understand the present problems, brought to this land by European conquest and colonization. One's actions that are taken today with the understanding of a better future for our children, and by learning the knowledge that will give you guidance and purpose in life.

This concept of the past, present, and future is what the indigenous and native people of this land called the circle of life. Mexista’s Should work together to establish unity and carnalismo between all people. Mexista’s emphasize the importance of community activism and promote awareness of our indigenous and native roots. Mexista’ss are called activists, troublemakers, weirdoes and radicals. If that is what you call a person who helps our people, to move forward, and to strive for what they believe in. Then that is what we all should strive to be!!