A month prior to his appearance, it had only been a rumor. The school had only begun to hear about the resurrection of the Conservative Student Union (CSU) on campus, and their controversial ideology had only begun to permeate the minds of many of my peers, Chicano/Latino students in particular. The CSU was mobilizing and organizing to expand and “liberate” the conservative voice at CSULB (which they claim is a “liberal haven”) by first forcing the campus to scrutinize the immigration situation. They proudly claim to represent the conservative perspective on the issue, and they question the patriotism of anyone who doesn’t take their same stance. They refer to themselves as loyal patriotic American citizens who are genuinely concerned for the safety and security of all American citizens. In their opinion, the root of one of our nation’s biggest threats to national/economic security can be found in the large influx of undocumented immigrants entering the United States through the U.S./Mexico boundary.
Wanting to liberate the conservative voice through the classrooms of CSULB, the CSU invited Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minuteman Project, to flex the muzzled muscle that represents the conservative ideology. The idea of the event eventually evolved into a proposed debate, and Enrique Morones (from the San Diego County-based Border Angels organization) was invited to attempt to contest Jim Gilchrist on the issue of illegal immigration. After a date had been set, student-activists, CSULB staff, professors, community leaders, and students scrambled to prepare themselves -and each other- for an overt confrontation with this high-profile figure who maintains a reputation for being a bigot hiding behind manipulative jargon, white-supremacist groups, free-speech, lawyers, minority friends, and the American flag.
On November 13th, 2007, students began making line outside of the Student Union at 10 a.m. in an effort to secure a seat for themselves inside of the Beach Auditorium, where the debate was to be held at noon. Directly next to the Student Union, campus staff tried to accommodate the needs and requests of the Campus Coalition Against Hate (CCAH) as they pulled together in unison to deliver a press conference at 10 am to denounce Minutemen presence on campus, and to engage students in a peaceful demonstration/rally to show solidarity against hate. The entire event progressed and grew, and the rally finally disbanded at 2 p.m. without a single incident.
Dr. Moreno, my professor for my Chicano Thought class (CHLS 310), asked our class (which met directly after the event was over) if we had learned anything from the event (those who decided to either go to hear Mr. Gilchrist speak or to participate in the rally outside). As my classmates shared their thoughts and experiences, I remember feeling stumped and confused. I tried to draw and document my thoughts and sentiments in my notebook, but all that I was able to scribble were single-word sentences. So much had happened during those few hours that I came away from the event feeling emotionally exhausted.
I sat in my chair, steadily rummaging my mind, wondering what it was that I had indeed learned from having been at that assembly. I remember expressing in class that I didn’t feel that I had learned much… that it had been yet another reactionary demonstration where individuals lined up to chant the same tired chants for the cameras. At the moment, I felt as though the event had been one more meaningless gathering of demonstrators and agitators, and that education, logic, and rationality had nothing to do with either event. I felt angry, dissatisfied, anxious, and fatigued.
But after several days of thinking about what I had shared in class, it began to dawn on me that there were many lessons pending to be discussed and questioned. Being that this was neither my first demonstration nor encounter with the Minuteman Project, I realized that I was dismissing and overlooking the strengths and the positive outcomes of the rally, choosing to focus more on scouring the happenings of the event for bits and pieces that might later prove to be detrimental to the CCAH movement and cause. For some reason, it hadn’t occurred to me that this event had been a brand new experience for many of my peers, and that there were people around me who were probably feeling as confused and restless as me. Little by little, I found myself engaging in conversations with my peers, and hidden lessons began to unveil themselves to us. I took note of every revelation that I noticed while studying and examining the aftermath of this event, and I finally feel prepared and comfortable enough to write about what I learned on that fateful day.
But before I can begin to tell of the events that transpired on November 13th, I must back-track a bit and attempt to paint the backdrop for this drama.
The name “Jason Aula” will inevitably come up within these next few blogs, so I feel that I should kick it all off with the story of Jason Aula.
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Contact
I don’t know much about Jason Aula.
Granted, I’ve only spoken to the guy a couple of times, and I’ve had the pleasure of corresponding with him via emails, but I can’t really say that I know much about him. Therefore, this portion of my reflection will directly correlate more with my interactions with Jason, as well as his appearances in local/school periodicals, his politics (which he himself has made public in interviews, publications, and emails), and his work with the Minutemen Project and the Conservative Student Union.
I first heard about Jason Aula towards the end of the month of September, when I stopped by an African Student Union (ASU) general meeting on campus. While present, members were quick to inform me and a couple of other Raza members in attendance of an odd email that their officers had received. When I asked them about the content of the email, the reply was blunt and succinct: there’s an individual on campus trying to organize black students to protest and eventually expunge La Raza/M.E.Ch.A from the CSULB campus, all in the name of fighting illegal immigration. And this individual’s name is Jason Aula.
I didn’t really know how to react upon hearing the news. I remember crossing my arms in front of my chest, trying to shoulder the weight of such absurdity, struggling to maintain a straight face. I wanted to laugh. Was this some sort of joke? Were they being for real?
After speaking briefly with several members of the ASU (one member gladly promised to forward me his message as soon as possible), I walked out of the meeting scratching my head. I couldn’t decide whether or not I should take what I had heard seriously, whether this individual had any sway in causing any sort of drama for students on campus (mainly the Chicano@/Latin@ population), and I began to wonder whether La Raza was prepared in dealing with such bigoted idiocy.
15 minutes after the ASU meeting was over, I stopped by the Raza Resource Center to check my email, and I found Jason’s email to the ASU waiting for me in my inbox, freshly sent by ASU members. The message was short and cryptic, seemingly rushed and unedited:
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 6:33:44 PM
Subject: CSULB NCAAP
Hi,
I am forming a group to combat illegal immigration with a few African American students. We are mixed races and would love to see if your group would be willing to sit down and talk about protesting RACIST groups MECHA and La Raza recieving funding via aso. I know illegal immigration is a big issue especially for African Americans in regards to stealing jobs etc that American citizens shopuld be having. Ether way hopefully we can help each other and educate each other as well.
Best regards,
Jason Aula
I remember re-reading the message several times, my eyes blinking in disbelief. It was short enough that I could scan the entire email in a few seconds and get the gist of it quickly, yet long enough that it took a few moments for the message to sink in. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and I shook my head.
I noticed the “CSULB NCAAP” in the subject line and I remember thinking to myself, “He’s not referring to the NAACP… is he?” I had already read enough about the organization to know that they joined pro-immigration Hispanic groups in lobbying for a more open-door immigration policy in 2006, fighting side by side to support a comprehensive immigration reform that would place undocumented immigrants on a path towards legalization. Had the NAACP changed their stance on illegal immigration? If so, how come nobody ever told me?
I googled CSULB NCAAP, but nothing useful came up. Then, I tried “NCAAP”. Nothing. Hmmmm…
Genuinely taunted by his email, I immediately walked over to the Student Life Development (SLD) office on campus to inquire about this NCAAP organization. After searching through the school’s catalog of on-campus organizations and ORC cards, the front desk attendant shook her head and informed me that it wasn’t a recognized organization at CSULB. The mystery deepened.
That evening, after speaking to several Raza members (who had already caught whiff of this imminent threat hanging over the organization), I decided to give Mr. Aula a telephone call. He had, after all, conveniently and eagerly provided his cell-phone number at the bottom of his email to ASU members. If he truly wanted to create a space so that students could participate in the education of each other, he’d be glad to hear from a Raza member, no? If he’s networking with other organizations (some who have ties with La Raza) for the purpose of organizing for the elimination of La Raza, he should be more than willing to speak on it when confronted by Raza members, right?
I dialed away, anticipating a direct and intelligent conversation with an articulate representative of this organization. Unfortunately, I ended up having to leave a message. I identified myself, I mentioned how I got his number, stated my affiliation with La Raza and my purpose for calling, and asked him to please return my call… all the while trying to sound friendly.
Apparently I pulled off the friendly attitude, for about an hour later, he called me back.
The very first thing he wanted to clear up was that he was not a racist. I hadn’t even asked him anything yet. But after introducing himself, he immediately launched into a “I’m not a racist” anecdote… he firmly stated that he had nothing against Hispanics, he mentioned that he had Hispanic friends (some of whom were organizing with him), and ended saying, “Besides… you know… I’m not even white. So I can’t be a racist.”
My faith in having an intelligent telephone conversation with this guy died right then and there.
He continued then to share with me some of his own background, mentioning that his own father had emigrated from India in the 1970s. He then proclaimed to be a proud law-abiding American citizen, and that his patriotism had urged him to heed the call for the protection of his nation from illegal aliens who were breaking federal laws.
I asked him about his issue with La Raza and M.E.Ch.A. He explained how he heard that La Raza and M.E.Ch.A. brainwash their members into believing in their own brown superiority (“When you translate ‘La Raza’ into English, it’s ‘The Race’. That’s racist! If white people try to do the same thing, they’d be considered racists!”) According to him, La Raza is an organization of individuals who have a tendency of being physically violent, very liberal, extreme in their racist tactics, and they’re not patriotic to the United States. He then told of how La Raza encourages the breaking of federal laws by helping illegal aliens find resources here in the United States to ensure a long stay. They’re helping in the draining of resources that should be solely for American citizens, he claimed. And they’re also encouraging La Reconquista of the Southwest of the United States. Therefore, their existence in a college campus should be protested and abolished.
I asked him if he had ever been to a CSULB Raza meeting. He said he hadn’t.
I asked him if he knew anything about the Raza chapter at CSULB. He admitted that he didn’t.
I asked him how he had come to these conclusions and perceptions of La Raza. He said, “Well… I heard that the MEChA and Raza people at UCLA were violent. They beat up people and attempted to get students at UCLA who challenged them expelled.”
He then asked me a couple of questions about La Raza on campus, asking if it was possible to read through the organization’s mission statement and constitution. I gritted my teeth and told him that the organization had a page online (CSULB's La Raza page) and that I’d email him the link if he wanted (all the while trying to sound cheerful and as accommodating as a politician).
Earlier, Raza officers had decided on inviting Jason and his organization to a dialogue/meeting. And since I had Jason on the phone, I decided to forward the invitation. I remembered that he chuckled nervously, and after a moment of silence, he asked, “I’m not going to get attacked for this… am I? Nothing is going to happen to me, right?”
I assured him that our Raza members are cordial, open-minded, and willing to engage in a diplomatic manner.
He asked, “You guys aren’t going to try to get me kicked out of school for this… are you?”
My shoulders slumped. This guy genuinely sounded as though he thought he was in some major trouble; nervous about potential repercussions for his opinions, and afraid of having to stand behind his words and perceptions. I almost felt sorry for the guy. But I again reminded him that we just wanted to meet to discuss and dialogue about some of the concerns that we had, to ask some questions, and to try and get some misconceptions cleared up.
He accepted my invitation, and I told him that I’d be in touch, suggesting that he save my number in case he had any other questions or concerns. He thanked me, I thanked him, and then it was over. I remember shaking my head as I put my cell-phone back in my pocket, feeling as though I had just made contact with an alien. That guy was out there.
I found this first telephone conversation to be very telling of what was to come and what was to be expected.
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His controversial email to the ASU members soon began to be forwarded quickly throughout several student list-servers, spreading like wildfire. The following day, after I sent my initial email, he sent a response (sent Sep 29, 2007 8:17 AM) in which he expressed his annoyance of people forwarding his email and personal information to others, that he had received a couple of “inappropriate” phone calls, and that he had already contacted a lawyer. I wasn’t even surprised.
In this same email, he went on barrage me with anti-Raza rhetoric that he had Googled, criticizing the group for their work with Latino immigrants and their nationalistic pride. He threatened to go after the chapter on campus if we didn’t change our name or sever any unpatriotic affiliations we might have. He concluded his email with the following:
“In conclusion, I feel there is no reason to talk in person because we have the GOP financial backing necessary to run our operation and I do not want to have anything to do with a racist organization like La Raza. We can talk when you change your name. I am not afraid of any retaliation because there are laws and I have already retained a lawyer for this matter and if there is any wrong doing on the student governments part the government will be legal pursued to the max. So, please do not even consider meeting because there is nothing to talk about unless you can change your name or prove that you are not a racist anti American group. If you or any student government group attempts to discriminate or unfairly target my group we have a lawyer on call. Again, I really hate to get people angry, but someone has to stand for the law and America.”
In another email (sent Sep 30, 2007 10:26 PM), he entertained the idea of sitting down with Raza if we complied with several demands:
“WE will sit down and talk under a few conditions. Mainly, I do not want my name, picture, and other personal information defamated for having a view or opinion, I am a student here and have many right wing Latino friends.....and basically myself and lawyer will have a dialogue with you and whoever as long as it is confidential, I have the utmost confidence in my group and goal and its achievemnet so I have no problem with talking about it.”
It sounded as though he’d only be willing to meet with La Raza if we all agreed to sit on our hands and keep our eyes closed throughout the entire “confidential” meeting with him and his lawyer. That’s the only way he wouldn’t have a problem talking about the goals of his organization.
Later that week, his organization turned in their ORC card. Their application was approved by SLD, and with Jason Aula as the president of this organization, the CSU was back in action at CSULB.
After speaking and planning with La Raza’s officers and members, a date was set for a meeting with Jason (lawyer or not), and we began to organize the meeting. Plans were drawn, assignments were given out, and individuals began to pull together to confront this individual. With Jason’s thumbs up and assurance, a room in the USU was reserved from 4-6pm for October 17th for this meeting. It was decided that I, along with a couple other members of Raza, would dialogue with Jason and his organization in an open forum, with a mediator facilitating the meeting and “peacekeepers” making sure that individuals don’t get out of hand.
For the next couple of weeks, in anticipation of this proposed meeting, La Raza members began engaging each other in conversation, informing themselves of the history of their organization. In my regular stops at Raza Resource Center, I heard more and more individuals speaking and debating the issues around immigration, race, and class. This was definitely one of the more positive outcomes of Jason’s threatening demeanor.
I sent Jason several emails reminding him of the date and time for this meeting, but as the date drew closer, he stopped responding to my emails.
He did, however, send me a friends-request on myspace for his CSULB Minutemen Project. On this particular page, he claims, “Our Sole primary purpose is to rid every Southern California campus of Mecha and La Raza on the basis that they should not be able to preach anti-american slogans on a public university. Having groups such as Mecha and La Raza is the equivalent of have Al Queda on a college campus.Our group is based at Cal State Long Beach and are working on destroying the leftist anti-American movement by defunding La Raza via legal and political avenues.”
[*note: The first time I went to his page, every other third or fourth word was misspelled. The above was copied and pasted from the page as it appears on November 29th, 2007. I think he either finally figured out how to use the spellchecker, or someone else is updating the page for him.]
When I rejected his friends request, he sent me the following message:
“I am a minority...you are point pf view is a humane one, but America comes first.”
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When the day of our meeting finally arrived, USU-306 filled to capacity with individuals having come to witness this meeting by 4 pm. 20 minutes later, there was still no sign of Jason or anyone from the CSU.
He never showed up.
He later admitted that he decided not to attend because he was genuinely concerned for his own safety. He really thought that he’d be physically attacked if he had gone.
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I didn’t get to meet with Jason until October 24th. An anti-war demonstration had been scheduled for that day on campus. On the same day, at the same event, the CSU had finally decided to come out of their conservative closets by protesting the anti-war rally. At this particular demonstration, Jason’s posse went around, photographing everyone’s face (which begs the following question: who’s terrorizing who?), and taunting demonstrators with derogatory verbal jabs (in one incident, Jason allegedly called a protester a “faggot” in front of many witnesses).
It was at this event where I finally got my first glance of this Jason character. And I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony: this guy was browner than me. He’d be definitely able to catch a glimpse of what it is to be a Latino in today’s American society if he one day gets pulled over by police and doesn’t have his I.D. with him.
I remember seeing his goofy face peering from behind his sign as he stood huddled next to a police officer, shouting childish insults at whoever was speaking/presenting at the podium.
Later that same day, I was finally able to meet and speak with him (and his female companion, Rebecca) about his emails, and the accusations that he had been making against La Raza. I, along with a dozen or so Raza members, met with him and Rebecca for almost an hour. We answered his questions, asked questions of our own (many of which were not answered), and although they ended up not saying much, the majority of what they DID say was plagued with hypocrisy, misinformation, stereotypes, fear, and patriotism. The immigration issue was more of a political issue for them rather than a humanitarian crisis. Everything we mentioned to them in this meeting went right over their heads. It was obvious by the way they kept looking at us, staring back at us with blank faces.
Before parting ways, he mentioned that he was going to follow through with his decision of inviting Jim Gilchrist onto campus, and he wanted us (La Raza) to choose someone to sit in on a panel and debate Jim Gilchrist.
I walked away from that meeting feeling as though we probably would have had better luck talking to windshield wipers.
From these several interactions with Jason, I was able to draw the following conclusions:
- Jason is obviously incredibly misinformed about the issue.
- Not that I’m a spelling/grammar Nazi, but… based on his frequent spelling errors and lack of familiarity with English grammar rules within his emails, posts on messages boards and forums, and his patriotic myspace page, I think it’s safe to say that he doesn’t read much… which goes back to his being misinformed of the issue. If you ask me, I’d say that Jason burns his books instead of reading ‘em.
- Although he claims not to be prejudiced of Latinos, I couldn’t understand why he was only going after Latino organizations on campus in his campaign against illegal immigration. When confronted with this observation, he himself was not able to offer a response. One thing is for sure, though: he’s got no beef with Latinos/Hispanics.
- Jason believes in freedom of speech as long as it’s patriotic and pro-American.
- Jason believes in freedom of speech, as long as he doesn’t have to stand by what he says.
- Jason believes it’s unpatriotic if you look at the issue of illegal immigration under a humanistic lens.
- Jason believes in scapegoats.
- While Jason thinks that he’s being “diplomatic” in his interaction with other organizations, I have my doubts. Truth be told, I don’t even think he knows what the word means.
- Jason doesn’t believe that racism exists anymore… except towards white people.
- Jason believes in picking and choosing which laws to enforce.
- Jason doesn’t believe in complexity. He does, however believe in a duality: either you’re with the conservative side, or you’re unpatriotic.
I didn’t write this entry with the intention of defaming Jason. In a situation as complex as this one, it’s important to know who your opposition is. And this entry here alone does not encompass all that I’ve come to learn about Jason and the CSU stance. It’s merely the tip of the iceberg. But I did want to paint the image of this individual (from my perspective) who has been responsible for so much upheaval and racial tension at CSULB.
Thus far, the most prominent lesson I came vis-à-vis with is as follows:
Never underestimate a fool’s idiocy. A cowardly fool won’t get much done, but a dumb idiot will… especially if he has a lawyer on speed dial and supporters with deep pockets funding his spectacle.
(To be continued…)
-Saul Goode
