The following are excerpts from the introductory remarks made by Mario Compean at a May 4, 1970, meeting in San Antonio called by the Mexican-American Youth Organization (MAYO) where the principal speaker was Jose Angel Gutierrez of La Raza Unida Party. Compean is the chair-man of the Texas-based MAYO.
Tonight I want to speak to you on two subjects. The first concerns the definition of what we interpret to be the Chicano movement. Secondly, and more specifically, the politics of the movement. The election results [of the May 2 Democratic primaries make it imperative for me to relate these two things to San Antonio.
For many years people spoke of the passivity of La Raza. Well, in 1963 there was an awakening. There was an awakening of what the sociologists and people in general had called a sleeping giant. In 1963 in Crystal City Chicanos took over the city government and inspired people elsewhere to become active. . . . As a result of all this activity, this awakening, we have had - especially in Texas - a concerted effort to make the mexicano visible in every aspect of society -economically, politically and otherwise. Since so many people have their own version, their own ideas. their own concepts of what this kind of movement is, it is necessary to touch on the major approaches.
There is the extreme radicalism as is practiced by some in the movement. There is the more mild militancy as practiced by others. And then there is the moderate approach, and still even a conservative approach.
To the conservative and the moderate it means working within the system slowly for the betterment of the mexicano. The more militant base their approach on making the institutions, gringo Institutions, respond to the needs of people. And the way to do it is by confronting it to the limit, so that the confrontation remains peaceful so long as the other side wants it to remain peaceful. Then there are the very extreme radicals, the ones who advocate violent confrontations.
At some point violent confrontations may be necessary for everybody, when the time is right. Probably it will happen, because everything seems to be pointing in that direction - not because the people want it that way, but be cause the institutions still refuse to respond whenever we demand our rights peacefully. They refuse to respond, so Inevitably there will be violent outbreaks, and I am sure that people will be hurt on both sides. But It will be absolutely necessary for us to get justice.
I talk about that because for three years, on every occasion that MAYO has made statements, implications have been made about what we have said. We have said that violence would come. Many implied from that that MAYO would possibly initiate it. But it has not happened. It has not happened because we are leading a mass group of people whose lives have to be considered before any action is taken. And in the long run, we have to weigh which would do more good and who will be hurt the most. Leaders come and go but the people re-main. That's a consideration. (Applause)
To MAYO, this kind of movement has meant overall betterment for La Raza-most of all economically, but socially and politically as well. MAYO began by articulating its positions, describing its tactics. Then we began implementing programs. . . . A month ago you saw some other results in the political arena [the electoral victory of La Raza Unida Party in Zavala, LaSalle and Dimmit counties].
Because of these successes, MAYO has achieved a legitimate position in the eyes of the public. At the same time, however, we have been attacked by the extreme leftists as establishment-oriented, liberals, sellouts. But, as I said, In the end we will see who are the real sellouts.
I would like to talk about politics because it is in politics that MAYO has had more prominence and success. This has a great meaning and importance for San Antonio because it is here that we will possibly have, next to Los Angeles, the largest Chicano community in the United States. It is here in this county that we have a majority, as the census will reveal in the coming months. Over 50 percent of the population will be Mexican-American. It has special significance because herein Bexar County the mexicano has little, as is the case elsewhere.
We have elected a few officials, but never have we had enough to really control, which really makes the difference. Until we control, we will not have power. We talk about Chicano power. Controlling the institutions that have to be made relevant to our needs is Chicano power.
In Bexar County the educational level, as elsewhere, is extremely low. Economically, we have nothing. So in building our programs we have to take these things into consideration and all the time push for control. . .
I think we Chicanos will never have anything that means anything until we have political power. And I think that the only way that the Chicano will ever have political power is through an independent political party, a Chicano party, La Raza Unida Party. (Applause)
In terms of San Antonio, there is no reason why Chicanos in San Antonio should not be in control. There is no reason why there should not be a Raza Unida Party in Bexar County. Until we have such a thing, we will not be able to have any meaningful power in this city. MAYO will be in the forefront of putting this political strategy, as was done in South Texas, into practice in San Antonio and else where in the state.
We have the greatest expectations. Everything points in that direction. We saw that Ralph Yarborough lost. People are wondering what happened. I'll tell you what happened. Ralph Yarborough made the greatest mistake that any politician can make. He failed to recognize the potential and the importance of the Chicano vote. (Applause)
The time has come when the Chicanos cannot be taken for granted any longer. Politicians of all kinds will have to keep reminding themselves that the Chicanos are a potent political force. Therefore, the worst mistake any politician can make is to forget the Chicano. (Applause)
People are asking now, "Well, what about November? Does this mean that Chicanos are not going to vote for Roy Bentsen [Democratic candiadate for U.S. Senator], that they should vote for Bush [Bentsen's Republican opponent]?" Well, there is no difference between the two. The only visible difference that I see is that Bush has a prettier smile. (Laughter and applause) In San Antonio there will be a Raza Unida Party in 1972. (Applause and Cheers) The only thing that can keep us from achieving this is La Raza itself.