TO: LA District Committee and all sections/units
FROM: LA CNM Community Section Committee
RE: Criticisms of LA District Committee
The LA Chicano National Movement Community Section Committee (CNM CSC) wishes to reaffirm that it upholds and has always upheld the democratic process of the organization, in order to promote unity for the whole organization, the CNM CSC sees the necessity to follow process and through it promote suggestions or criticisms that will move us forward as an organization. We acknowledge that the pre-Congress period is a difficult time for all cadres. In light of this, we must all work towards promoting an atmosphere where political dialogue on all proposals can occur. We understand that cadre have political differences during this time, but to reach organizational unity on a proposal that move us all forward will only occur based on a dialogue of respect, faith and not mistrust.
We do recognize mat a recommendation made by an individual for a co-chair at the recent Districtwide should have been raised to the CNM CSC and to the LA DO prior to the meeting. It was a mistake for that individual to not follow that process. The brother has accepted the criticism of not following process. However, as the CNM CSC we did not unite with the LADC’s memo because the brother acted on his own behalf, and was not part of any pre-planned deceitful process to subvert the meeting or the organization. His suggestion was a reflection of his sincere desire to promote a democratic process. It is unfortunate that premature conclusions were drawn regarding “preplanned meetings” and stated in such a way as to foster an atmosphere of suspicion, distrust, paranoia, and divisions among cadres raising the ugly spec tor of factionalism into what it already a trying pre-Congress period. Moreover, it was unfortunate that the concerns the LADC had regarding alleged meetings were not raised to the CNM CSC prior to the circulation of its memo so that we could approach cadres’ misunderstandings and frustrations together and united. In hearing the reasoning behind the accusations, it became clear that members of the LADC were confusing two approved and well know meetings to give cadres the opportunity for input into an alternative viewpoint with something secretive that no one has acknowledged or is aware of. The two meetings that did take place in July were held in accordance with our existing structure and were common knowledge, the last one being publicized at the Districtwide and attended by some members of the LADC along with cadres from different areas. The discussions at these two meetings dealt with cadre input into a proposal meant to move the organization forward.
It is the CNM CSC’s view that no other “meetings” have occurred secretive or otherwise, and certainly not for any disruptive purposes. As some of our cadres have explained, on an individual basis people engage each other to have an exchange of opinions and this has always characterized the pre-Congress period. These are not “meetings”. In seeking out opinions, a variety of views are encountered and welcomed in this exchange. We all approach our exchanges with the view that we want a united organization. At this point, not everyone will agree on what that organization will look like and we all have the right to struggle for what we think is best for us but we certainly will try to come to terms with that together – as comrades in one organization.
As the CNM CSC, we will continue to put forward suggestions to the LADC to further this process as we have in the past. For example, our suggestion to the LADC that a Districtwide be planned to discuss the proposed changes back in the end of June. We conclude by reaffirming with the LADC that we will continue to work to ensure that there be opportunities for everyone to be heard and for everyone to have input in this pre-Congress period. We feel that everyone must struggle to maintain a constructive, productive and inclusive atmosphere of struggle. Where an individual’s comments may fail to uphold this tone, then it is the responsibility of every cadre to struggle with the comrade to correct this failure. We have faith that we can emerge from this trying period with a deeper understanding of our task in the future.