by Tekpatltzin
There is an urgent need to keep the spiritual
connection flowing within our Indigenous communities and indi-vidual
spirits, an ancestral pride that screams out, "We Are Still here-after
500 years of resistance to cultural and spiritual genocide!" This is
not an anti-European movement; it is a pro-Indigenous
movement-pro-Mexica, pro-Lakota, pro-Navajo, etc. When the European
founding "Fathers" stole this land and renamed it "America," there was
no mention of including the 500 Indigenous Nations (and Africans) in
their constitution. We were not supposed to be here after 500 years.
We are reclaiming our indigenous
identities-Mexikayotl (Mexica Red Road-whether we're Mexica, Lakota,
Maya, Tsalagi, Apache, Taino, or hundreds of other First Nations. I am
Mexica (not mestizo) as are many of you.
What does it mean to be Mexica? It means we are
citizens of the Cosmos (universe), of the planet, and of our
Cemanahuac. Mexica is the original name for the countless groups of
Nahuatl-speaking people that migrated from the north into the central
valley of Mexico around 1165 AD. To many historians we are Aztecs
because of our connection to Aztlan, considered our mythical homeland,
but Aztlan was only one chapter of our endless story of the Olmecas,
Toltecas, Mayas, Chichimecas, Purepechas, Tarahumaras.
The important part is to identify with our true
heritage, whether we call ourselves Aztec or Mexica, and to rebuild our
spiritual and cultural identities. We have become like the colonizers,
killing each other in record numbers over drugs, colors, and gang
affiliations. Today a Mexica youth can eyeball another Mexica youth on
the street, and before you know it they're at each other's throat. What
has caused our young people to hate each other, to hate who they are,
and to take this to a violent solution? Has the European done such a
good job that we no longer know who we are? And do we now want to
assimilate and become like the European? The answers is a resounding NO!
Our ancestors are coming back to us. Just look and
listen to our own children. The spirit Ometeotl is truly guiding us
right now, and it is not by chance that we are meeting each other on
this path, Mexikayotl.
There is a vital need to connect our different
circles of warriors. Whether we are a radical, politically inclined,
spiritually aware, incarcerated, a danzante, a lowrider, a
professional, someone pursuing a higher education, or just kicking back
until we find ourselves, we need to honor all struggles, especially
within our own diverse Mexica/Native American community. The struggles
of our youth in Chicago mirror the struggles of youth in Los Angeles,
San Antonio, or Denver.
The danger we face today is the destruction and
criminalization of our Mexica and all Native and African youth. Whether
it's in Chicago, New York, Denver or L.A. or on the reservations in
South Dakota, Arizona or Oklahoma, our youth are bearing the brunt of
all major social ills. Our youth are being imprisoned in record
numbers, yet the media tell us that violent crime is down in all major
categories. That means that our future as Indigenous people is being
targeted. They call it Zero Tolerance, which translates to racism. Wake
Up Mexica, Lakota, Maya, Purepecha!
We are caught in the midst of a very hysterical
American public which dictates that all crimes committed receive the
maximum penalties. With the more severe sentences, any chance for
rehabilitation is limited or nonexistent. If the prison system were
serious about rehabilitation, they would allow us to come and teach our
youth Mexika and indigenous spirituality. They would allow us to run
sweat lodge and pipe ceremonies. They would allow us to work with,
instead of against, local prison officials.
Remember, always, our youth, adults, and elders who
are incarcerated and suffering at the hands of despotic prison regimes.
We offer all of you behind the walls our prayers, support, and a smudge
of copal and sage.
May the spirits of our ancient teachers continue to
provide us with the wisdom, humbleness, and courage to stay committed
to our path, Mexikayotl, our red road. WAKE UP MEXICA! Form study
circles, learn our traditions and ceremonies.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list
and receive our publication Kalpulli Yetlenezi-Tolteka 13, please send
name and address to Tekpatltzin, 204 Gregory St., Unit E, Aurora, IL
60504,
Last Updated ( Nov 25, 2005 at 01:59 AM )
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