Aztlan is the name of a movement conducted by various radical Mexicans
and Mexican-Americans who seek
the "return" of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas,
Utah, Nevada and
parts of Colorado and possibly other U.S. states to
Mexican control, either by the return of these areas to the
Mexican government, or the creation of a new Mexican country
named Aztlan. The radicals believe these areas rightly belong
to Mexican/indigenous peoples, and were unfairly/unjustly annexed by the
United States as a result of the Mexican-American War.
Supporters of this movement believe Aztlan is an
inevitability, due to massive Mexican immigration (1) to these
areas and the belief the United States will eventually
"balkanize" and break apart into separate entities due to a
financial collapse or other setback. Supporters of Aztlan
refer to these areas as "occupied" (by the United States) and
seek the "reconquista" of these lands. Supporters of Aztlan can
be found, among other places, at "Aztlan universities"
(American colleges and universities in the land of Aztlan -
California, etc.), particularly those institutions that offer
Chicano/Latino studies. Online, supporters of Aztlan can be found at nationalmecha.org, aztlan.net,
mexica-movement.org and
stolencontinent.org.
One
of the most vocal proponents of Aztlan is Armando Navarro, a
professor of ethnic studies at the University of California,
Riverside. His book, Mexicano Political
Experience in Occupied Aztlan: Struggles and Change,
includes a map of Aztlan on the cover. The book's product
description at Amazon.com states: "Viewing Mexicanos today as an occupied and colonized
people, Navarro calls for the formation of a new movement to
reinvigorate the struggle for resistance and change." Navarro
has stated: "A new majority is forming. Everything will
change. The White House will be within our reach. We might
have to change the name to the Brown House." (2)
(1) According
to the U.S. Census Bureau, "the Hispanic population is
projected to nearly triple, from 46.7 million to 132.8 million
during the 2008-2050 period. Its share of the nation's total
population is projected to double, from 15 percent to 30
percent. Thus, nearly one in three U.S. residents would be
Hispanic."
(2)
"Aztlan" spurs pride in Latinos, fears
among immigration foes, The Seattle Times, 7/15/06
One
of the most vocal proponents of Aztlan is Armando Navarro, a
professor of ethnic studies at the University of California,
Riverside. His book,