M.E.Ch.A. leader announces plan for student walkout
Hello, my name is Hector Leonzo, a Bakersfield College student and a Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (Chicano Student Movement of Aztlan, or M.E.Ch.A., for its initials in Spanish) member. BC M.E.Ch.A. has been asking for a Chicano Studies Department for the last three years.
Unfortunately, the president of our college, Sandra Serrano, does not pay any attention to our petitions.
Recently we gained the support of Bakersfield’s mayor, Harvey Hall.
For this coming Monday, we are planning a demonstration where Bakersfield College students will show support to the establishment of this department.
Starting at 10:30 a.m., all the students in support of this department will walk out of classes and meet in the grass area in front of the library.
It is true that a department does not fall from the sky, and it is true it needs time to be established. M.E.Ch.A. came up with a simple solution. We are just asking Sandra Serrano to appoint a full-time director of the Chicano Cultural Center, who we, the mechistas, pledge to help in the establishment of this department. Sandra Serrano should also give M.E.Ch.A a written pledge and a timeline clearly indicating that she will help in the establishment of a Chicano Studies Department.
Besides various Cal States and UCs, there are two other community colleges in the state of California that have a strong Chicano Studies Department. These two colleges are East Los Angeles College, with 23 courses, and San Diego College.
Sandra Serrano states that there is no money for this department, but there are some BC directors that received a raise in their salary not too long ago. It’s true that we have no money, but we don’t need an Olympic-size pool. It’s true that it’s nice having the community coming to BC to swim, but BC is an educational place, not a park.
M.E.Ch.A. would appreciate if you could show up this coming Monday and witness how bad Bakersfield College students want the establishment of a Chicano Studies Department. BC M.E.Ch.A. thanks you beforehand.
Hector Leonzo, BC M.E.Ch.A.
Debate sways student in Kern sheriff’s race
I am a political science major at Cal State University, Bakersfield. The candidates for Kern County sheriff, Mack Wimbish and Steve Perez, recently appeared in a forum before my community politics class. Before the class, I was undecided about whom to support in November, but during the debate, my choice became crystal clear.
Steve Perez made a strong impression on me. Everything about him screamed leadership and responsibility. He responded to each question, even the “loaded” and aggressive ones, with care and clarity. He showed respect for the questioner and his opponent. He gave no “canned” answers. His logical, organized approach to the issues and his knowledgeable and confident manner inspired confidence.
Mr. Perez had amazing presence and the perfect qualifications and experience. We learned he spent 24 years of his life as a sheriff deputy, giving tough service on the local Bakersfield patrol, in the jails and as a narcotics and burglary detective. His three terms as president of the Kern Law Enforcement Association show his peers respect him.
I became so convinced that Mr. Perez is the right choice for sheriff that, after the debate, I committed the rest of my summer as a volunteer on his campaign. I would encourage voters to visit www.perezsheriff.com to discover why he should be the next Kern County sheriff.
Shannon Fowler, CSUB student