Happening at the blvd with Pop Bottle Bombers from Watsonville, Califas, Fitter,and The Verm All Ages!! $7

-2631 Whittier Blvd, East Los [map]

AMOXTLI X – THE X CODEX

In Lak Ech, Panche Be & Hunab Ku & The Forgotten 1524 Debate

Eagle Feather Research Institute 2010 Collective Copyright

By Roberto Dr. Cintli Rodriguez, Arnoldo Vento, PhD, Vivian Garcia Lopez, PhD, Mixelle Rascon, Pricila Rodriguez, Norma Gonzalez, Crystal Terriquez, Jo Anna Mixpe Ley, Grecia Ramirez & Luis A Valdez

SAVE ETHNIC/RAZA STUDIES

Why did several communities support a run from Tucson to Phoenix through the Arizona desert in 115-degree heat in the middle of the summer last year? Probably for the same reason 15 of us were arrested for criminal trespass at Tucson’s state building this May: We did it to combat the effort to terminate, via HB 2281, Tucson’s highly successful Raza Studies program. This came on the heels of the anti-immigrant bill, SB 1070. One attacks our bodies; the other, our spirits.

While the bill was dropped in 2009, this year, the know-nothing Republican-dominated state legislature passed both bills, whereas the state’s unelected governor, Jan Brewer, promptly signed both “laws.” HB 2281 is particularly onerous because it is a Dark Ages-era law that attacks the thinking/teaching/learning process. It also creates an Inquisition-style mechanism to approve acceptable books and curriculums. Arizona State Schools Superintendent, Tom Horne, who has never set foot in an Ethnic/Raza Studies classroom, first mounted his campaign in 2006 when Dolores Huerta stated at Tucson HS that Republicans hate Latinos. Since then, he has isolated Rodolfo Acuña’s Occupied America and Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, as examples of books that promote hate, segregation and advocate anti-American views while calling for the violent overthrow of the U.S. government. He is claiming that Raza Studies is out of compliance of the new law and is now calling on TUSD to force Raza Studies to videotape its classes.

Lost in this “debate” is the nature or contents of Raza Studies and its philosophical foundation. As a result, a collaborative mini-book: Amoxtli X – The X Codex, has been written to provide such an answer. The book stresses the concepts of In Lak Ech – tu eres mi otro yo – you are my other self – Panche Be – Buscar la Raiz en la Verdad – To Seek the Root of the Truth – and Hunab Ku – a view of the world that explains the nature of the universe.

These concepts are part of a maiz-based philosophy and curriculum that stress a human rights ethos. Maiz is the only food in history that was created by human beings, and the peoples of this continent – Cemanahuak or Abya Yalla – are the only peoples to have created their own food. Horne insists that Greco-Roman knowledge – as opposed to the maiz-based AmerIndigenous knowledge taught in Raza Studies-TUSD – should be exclusively taught in Arizona schools. For the past several years, these ethos have been in full display as Raza Studies youths have led the protests against both bills. More than protest, they have fully lived their peaceful meaning.

“This philosophy comes direct from the cereal that was created by the ancient settlers of the continent: maiz… yes, the maiz, that creation of the savage beast, and that thanks to them, lies the hope for humanity.” – Maya Linguist, Domingo Martinez Paredez, 1960.

Amoxtli X – The X Codex, in part, was also created to raise funds to combat HB 2281. Aside from forthcoming trials for the 15 of us, a lawsuit against the state is forthcoming. If you would like a copy, please make a $10 check per copy to: Save Ethnic Studies Inc, and mail it to: SAVE ETHNIC STUDIES, INC., 2114 W. Grant Rd. PMB 125, Tucson, AZ 85745. If you would like to donate more, either add a greater amount to check or buy more books. (Discounted class sets are available. For more info re books: 520-626-0824 XColumn@gmail.com).  If you wish to receive more info re the effort to combat the anti-ethnic studies law, go to: saveethnicstudiesaz.org

–
Thanks & Sincerely
Roberto Dr. Cintli Rodriguez
Column of the Americas
PO BOX 3812
Tucson, AZ 83722

ARCHIVED COLUMN OF THE AMERICAS
http://web.me.com/columnoftheamericas

XColumn@gmail.com

We are so proud,humbled, and honored to be nominated in 4 categories at this years Nammys!! We have been nominated for best Rock, Best Group, Best Spoken word, and Best World music!!!

We are so happy to be acknowledged for our contribution to the legacy of Native music…

For more information and to vote go to Nammys.com

“For us Aztlan is not a territory. For if we were to define it that way then we would subscribe to the western paradigm of “owning” land. What Aztlan means for us is the right to live according to the laws of nature and its habitats. This does not negate the traditional ties of native people but in fact enforces it. Anyone who refers to aztlan as specific territory to be taken over is sorely mistaken. It is awareness of identity and connection not coercion or reconquest as many minutemen espouse.”

• July 9 – 12.  AUG Performance July 10:
  • Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Pacific Rim Festival (including educational workshops and outreach)
    • Nashuk Youth Council digital story telling at 7pm
    • Aztlan underground on stage at 9pm, with musical guests:
    • Kalilah
    • Victor E of El Vuh (Conscious Hip-Hop)
    • Old School Hip-Hop by DJ Krazy Fish
  • July 10 at the Tofino Community Hall
    351 Arnet Rd., Tofino (doors at 6:30 PM):
  • Tickets $10 at the door
  • $5 discount for all Tla-o-qui-aht Youth
  • Non-licensed Event
  • Presented by Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks and Pacific Rim Arts Society

  

For more information call Terry Dorward-Seitcher 250-726-3736.

• June 17:
  • Fresno, CA
• June 18:
  • Watsonville Bike Shack, Watsonville, CA ("Watsonville Rox, Arizona Sux")
  • Featuring:
    • Aztlan Underground
    • Fitter
    • Los Dryheavers
    • Pop Bottle Bombers
    • Esik from Realization
  • $8 Donation. Bring your cans for some graffiti art & Express yourself against the racist Arizona laws!
• June 19:
  • Coyote Valley Gym, Ukia, CA ("Death to Meth")
  • Featuring:
    • Aztlan Underground
    • Overload
    • Fitter
    • The Broadcasters
    • TyBox
    • Marvin Helper
    • Zero Tolerance
    • Casey, Giao & Flyn
    • Pop Bottle Bombers
    • Gina Bankz & Stylez
    • Mc Komodo
• July 9 – 12:
  • Vancouver Island, BC, Canada (uu Chah Nulth Nation, Pacific Rim Festival (including Educational workshops and outreach)
    • Nashuk Youth Council digital story telling at 7pm
    • Aztlan underground on stage at 9pm, with musical guests:
    • Kalilah
    • Victor E of El Vuh (Conscious Hip-Hop)
    • Old School Hip-Hop by DJ Krazy Fish
  • July 10 at the Tofino Community Hall
    351 Arnet Rd., Tofino (doors at 6:30 PM):
  • Tickets $10 at the door
  • $5 discount for all Tla-o-qui-aht Youth
  • Non-licensed Event
  • Presented by Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks and Pacific Rim Arts Society
  • For more information call Terry Dorward-Seitcher 250-726-3736

  

  More venue still info to come.

Watsonville, Ca- Arizona sux Watsonville rox! June 18th 2010:

Ukiah, Ca- Death to Meth June 19th 2010:

Come and support this important event!!

Here’s a nice quality recorded clip of AUG’s performance of “Medicine” at Cinespace on May 16th, 2010.  Credit goes to  Jang Lee long time supporter, thanks!