The Breakdown: Battle Over MEChA

The Breakdown: Battle Over MEChA

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A few weeks ago, student organization MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán) voted to change their name after 50 years—and that decision was met with a lot of commentary, especially on social media. Those in favor of the name change, argue that dropping the words “Chicanx” and “Aztlán” from the name, makes MEChA more inclusive. But others, including MEChA alums, say that those words are heavily intertwined with the 1960’s Chicano movement, and a name change would erase that important struggle. On this edition of “The Breakdown,” Latino USA dissects MEChA’s decision, and reactions on both sides of the debate.