Important Premises & Cast of Characters - by Miguel Delgadillo

This is intended to clarify the attitude in which this website is aimed. I will loosely use certain terms
and let you fill in the blanks. I have strong opinions on controversial subjects. You might be disturbed

by what you read, but hear me out, I think you will come to respect my opinion.

I use the term Raza to include peoples of Mexican, Central American and indigenous American Indian peoples. These people are the legitimate heirs to North America. Just as people are entitled to live and participate in their land of cultural birth, we Raza, are heirs to that part of North America, sometimes referred to as Aztlan. I am referring to the North American South West, Mexico and Central America.

As our numbers grow and as Chicanos move up the economic, educational and social levels we are proving our vitality and ambition to contribute to North America. I say we should have a proportionate role in the decision making. As the descendants of the original peoples of North America, we Raza share this common destiny. Who better to run North America than Chicanos? Certainly we have a greater claim to this continent than Europeans or their descendants.

Ideally Chicanos are people of Mexican or Central American descent who are born or come of age in the US. I also include people of North American Indian heritage as well as the descendants of European or African or even Asian immigrants if they choose to identify themselves with Chicano Culture. This is a tricky and ambitious proposition but my point is to recognize and accept those people who might only have one ''Mexican'' parent or grandparent but who want to be a Chicano.

I have often said, ''A Chicano is a person who wants to be one and who thinks they are and wouldn't want to be anything else.'' I am not about to play ''race police'' or check anyone's background. I don't fully understand the ''Cosmic Race'' concept but I believe we can spend too much time arguing over labels when Rome is burning or in this case Aztlan is waiting to be rebuilt.