MEXIKAYOTL, OUR RED ROAD
Not Hispanic, not Latino
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, mexicapride@earthlink.net.