About
La Raza Justice Movement is a community organization in Houston, Texas involved in various community advocacy issues. This is our belief statement.
Click here for the Power Point Presentation
la_raza_justice_movement_statement_of_beliefs
1. We believe that the so-called Latino is the original and rightful caretakers of this part of the world. Therefore, we are not immigrants. We believe that the so-called Latino is a descendant of some the world’s most advanced and beautiful (indigenous) cultures of the world, and that we will reclaim this beauty and achievement through Our Restoration (O/R).
2. We believe that the United States has acquired its wealth and power through exploitation and theft of land (from our ancestors), theft of labor (from Africans) and through the exploitation of resources. We believe that the fruit of this exploitation never becomes legitimate as long as the victims continue to demand justice.
3. We believe in equality, especially equality of authority. Around the world, the right of people to govern themselves is recognized. In the US, however, our people are governed by another race of people who have different interests and goals. We believe in equality among races, and we believe that the United States should recognize racial equality by recognizing equality of authority among the races. We believe that white imperialism is our enemy, because it has been the primary enemy to equality of authority.
4. We believe that as long as the borders are open to rich, predatory corporations, the border should be open to our people as well. We believe that there should be no deportations of so-called Latinos as long as the borders are open for corporations.
5. We believe that it is best to promote a long-term plan for the self-determination of our people while working to better the current conditions of our community. We believe that any plan for improving community conditions must consist of education and empowering the community, and not simply of leaders meeting with officials for concessions and negotiations. We believe that community education, while many times more challenging, is most important.
6. We believe that women and men are more than equals. We believe that they are part of the same whole.
7. We believe that the indigenous (Azteca, Maya etc.) culture of our ancestors is the true culture of the so-called Latino. We believe that we should practice and learn it to the best of our abilities.
8. We believe that while moving toward Our Restoration (O/R) any measure which promotes more independence from the government and from mega corporations is positive. We believe in independent businesses, schools, and food and clothing programs, above such programs funded by corporations.
9. We believe that most of our community’s problems have continued to exist as symptoms, and that the modern root of our problems is lack of empowerment.
10. We believe in a greater equality of condition and a greater equality of wealth than is offered in this system.
11. We believe that cultural preservation is the key to success and that cultural prservation is virtue unto iself. We do not believe in cultural assimilation.
12. We believe that we are owed reparations for the theft of our land as indigenous peoples and for the political, economic and military interventions which brought many of us from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras etc. to the United States. We believe that these interventions are chiefly responsible for the poor conditions in these countries. We believe that this reparation should come in the form of land, which we should govern for ourselves. We do not want worthless money from the United States, which can be manipulated and devalued easily.
13. We want a government controlled by us (Our New Anahuac) which will promote and contribute to the development of the full potential of our people and to Our Restoration (O/R).