Eddie Canales: the Role of La Raza Unida Party in the American Political Process
Description:
The Mexican American Experience, a radio program produced by the Longhorn Radio Network, includes interviews, music, and informational programs related to the Mexican American community and their concerns. Program summary: Interview with Eddie Canales, newly elected chairperson of the Central Committee of Raza Unida Party in Texas about the re-organization of Raza Unida Party and its role in the political process of the United States. In 1980, Raza Unida held its first constitutional convention where they restructured the party. Now its membership would be based on community organizations instead of individual counties. Canelas explains that the change reflects the party's desire to focus on organizing at the grassroots level so as to build and develop its local membership. The party will also have state central committees whose members are part of community organizations or Raza Unida chapters and must represent at least 25 constituents. Canales says that each member will have specific tasks that contribute to the overall organizational structure and strategy. Canales also explains that Raza Unida will remain a third party to allow Chicanos a place to make their opinions heard and demand political changes. He explains that while the two mainstream parties have put Chicanos in political office, the overall community has yet to see any significant changes. Moreover, since voter turn out is declining, Raza Unida will now focus on making change outside of the electoral process. He believes that one day they will resurface in local, state and national elections, but that will happen when the party has established a solid base within local communities and regions. He then discusses the upcoming Raza Unida Conference in New Mexico that will address the party's organizational problems and develop communications between the Raza Unida Party in Texas and other states. Keywords: Albuquerque, Arizona, Boycotts, California, Chicano Representation in Politics, Community Organizations, Constitution, County Politics, Democratic Party, Eddie Canales, Education, Elections, Electoral Politics, Employment, Farm Workers, Grassroots Organizing, Health Care, Housing, Immigration Services Center of Houston, Texas, Jose Angel Gutierrez, Juan Jose Peña, Kingsville, Texas, La Raza Unida Party, League of United Latin American Citizens, LULAC, New Mexico, Police brutality, Political Party, Ramses Muñiz, Raza Unida Central Committee, Republican Party, Texas, Third Party Politics, Third World Movement, Unions, Voter Turn-out. Broadcast date: 1980-06-15.
Creator/Contributor:
Longhorn Radio Network (creator), Fregoso, Rosa Linda. (host), and Canales, Eddie (interviewee)
Date Created/Date Issued:
6/8/1980
Owning Repository:
Benson Latin American Collection, LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, The University of Texas at Austin
sound recordings, grabaciones sonoras, radio programs, programas de radio, and Audio
Extent:
24 minutes, 51 seconds
Rights - Use and Reproduction:
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Language:
English
Place of Publication:
Austin (Tex.)
Topic:
United States--Politics and government, Mexican Americans--Politics and government, Mexicano americanos--Política y gobierno, and Mexican Americans--Political activity
Time Period Covered:
1980-1989
Place Name:
Texas, Kingsville (Tex.), California, New Mexico, and Arizona