In Lak Ech Affirmation
The following is also based on In Lak Ech (love, unity, mutual respect) and Panche Be (seeking the roots of the truth) as is elaborated by Roberto Cintli Rodriguez in Our Sacred Maiz is Our Mother: Indigeneity and Belonging in the Americas. However, this chant goes a level deeper into the Nahui Ollin (Four Movements), as taught by Tupac Enrique Acosta of Tonatierra, and integrated by ELA teacher Curtis Acosta formerly of the Mexican American Studies Department of Tucson Unified School District (before Arizona HB 2281). This is an adaption of the Nahui Ollin, into poetic, rhythmic, hip hop song form.
Tú eres mi otro yo.
You are my other me.
Si te hago daño a ti,
If I do harm to you,
Me hago daño a mi mismo.
I do harm to myself.
Si te amo y respeto,
If I love and respect you,
Me amo y respeto yo.
I love and respect myself.
in lak ech, (feel empathy) panche beh, panche beh panche beh (think critically)
Seeking the roots of the truth, seeking the truth of the roots, elders and us youth, (youth), critical thinking through:
Tezkatlipoka, Tezkatlipoka, x2
smoking mirror, self-reflection
We must vigorously search within ourselves be reflective, introspective by silencing distractions and extensive comprehensive obstacles in our lives, (in our lives),
in order to be warriors of love, of love,
for our gente representin’ justice, (justice)
local to global global to local eco-logical, & social, (social), justice (justice).
Quetzalkoatl, Quetzalcoatl, x2
the morning & evening star of venus double helix of human beings
fearless here it’s, precious blessed
beautiful knowledge, gaining perspective,
on events & experiences our ancestors endured,
allows us to become more realized human beings learn
ing to be listening to each other’s hearts and our elders with humility, dignity, indigenous
brilliance & wisdom in our hearts and our energies, remembering... ancestral memories, planning, future trajectories,
la cultura cura, with remedies of knowledge,
healing epistemologies, ecologies
in life, home, streets, school, work, & life, fueled by...
Huitzilopochtli, huitzilopochtli, x2
hummingbird to the left, yollotl,
corazon, heart, ganas, the will to action as we grow in,
consciousness must be willing to be proactive,
not just thinkin' and talkin' but makin' things happen,
with agency, resiliency, & a revolutionary spirit
that’s positive, progressive, creative, native,
Passion everlasting work hard in action,
tap in, to the spark of our universal heart,
pulsating creation huitzilopochtli cause like sunlight, the light inside of us, in will to action’s
what brings...
Xipe Totek, Xipe Totek, x2
transformation, liberation, education, emancipation. imagination revitalization, liberation, transformation, decolonization, liberation, education, emancipation,
changin’ our situation in this human transformation,
the source of strength that allows us to transform and renew.
We must have the strength to shed naive or self-sabotaging views,
which may hinder us hold us back more than we ever knew,
amazing when embracing emanating r new & improved, critical compassionate creative consciousness
we’re here to transform the world we’re spiraling, rotating & revolving in,
giving thanks daily, tlazokamati, giving thanks daily, tlazokamati,
healing & transforming as we’re evolving in this universe, universe, of
Hunab Ku, Hunab Ku, x2
Nahui OlIin Lak Ech - Panche Beh, Ethnic Studies For All, Represent!!