First Published: The Stanford Daily, Volume 197, Issue 69, 1 June 1990.
Transcription, Editing and Markup: Paul Saba
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I AM WRITING to express my support for Delia Ibarra, Richard Suh, Rudy Fuentes and others who have gone public about their negative experiences with the members of the League of Revolutionary Struggle.
While I was never formally recruited into the League, I did feel intense pressure to conform to the group when I was very involved in MEChA my first year at Stanford. I walked away from MEChA my sophomore year because of that pressure, even though 1 did, and still do, believe in the goals of MEChA as an organization.
There were other reasons why I left, including the ambiguity of leadership and responsibility (at the time, there were no MEChA officers) and the terrible treatment of students who disagreed with some MEChistas. When I don’t have problems with League members because they believe in Marxist-Leninist principles. My problem with League members is their harsh treatment of people who disagree with them. I left MEChA, I experienced harassment and ostracism similar to Delia’s, but I could not remain associated with the organization and still retain my self-respect.
I struggled with my decision to speak to The Daily and again with my decision to write this letter. I do not want to hurt progressive politics at Stanford. I have many friends who strongly believe in Marxism, and they would testify that I am quite progressive in my own politics.
I don’t have problems with League members because they believe in Marxist-Leninist principles. My problem with League members is their harsh treatment of people who disagree with them.
No one should be subject to the social and political pressure they impose on other students, especially when those students are often other progressive students who are alienated from the political forum at Stanford.
I am glad Delia, Richard and other students had the courage to speak out. I can finally be honest about why I left MEChA.
I, too, was silent because I was afraid no one would believe me if I told the truth, and I was also afraid of what would be done to me or my friends if I did speak out.
I am sick of being silent and afraid. We have now diagnosed the disease, and if people will only believe and admit that the disease exists, we can begin the process of healing.
Jerilyn Lopez Mendoza
Senior, American studies