Karla Sorto
Monday was a day dedicated to Cesar Estrada Chavez, the most persistent Hispanic civil rights leader of the 20th century.
Born March 31, 1927, on a small farm near Yuma, Ariz., Chavez has become a symbol for the Hispanic community’s struggle for equality, justice and respect.
Raised in a poor family that lost its farm during the Depression, he was forced into migrant farm laborer life at a young age.
As a boy, Chavez had little time for school and leisure activities. He frequently experienced racial prejudice due to his Mexican-American heritage.
Despite these obstacles, Chavez rose to become a gifted leader and organizer who inspired thousands of people to better their lives.
His motto, “Si se puede” – which means, “Yes, it can be done,” – not only exemplifies his life, but also his mission to create better conditions for farm workers everywhere.
He founded the United Farm Workers in the 1960s, an organization that led its members to fight for the improvement of working conditions.
“Finally it was acknowledged that a leader of that sort should be recognized by an entire nation,” said Spanish professor Fernando Oleas. “He deserves the same respect as other leaders that have encouraged and have left a mark with their hard work and struggles.”
Across the country, many public institutions, cultural centers, libraries, schools and streets have been named in his honor. Murals on buildings pay tribute to his memory and the movement he led.
Life for migrant farm workers was incredibly difficult. They suffered in the hot sun for hours picking crops such as grapes, cucumbers and tomatoes.
Their wages began from 20 cents to 50 cents, depending on the amount of crops they had picked during the week.
Many of the migrant laborers were of Mexican or Mexican-American descent and knew little English. Farm owners often took advantage of the language barrier, harassing them about the money they had rightfully earned for their work.
Chavez became the leading voice for the American farm workers.
His tireless leadership focused on improving working conditions.
English professor Aurora Reynoso said, “As a Latina, it gives me great pride and makes me feel that we as a community can have a picture of a great role model who stood to his principles and fought for the rights of humanity.”
Chavez and his UFW union battled California grape growers by conducting nonviolent protests, such as a hunger strike protest in 1968, when he fasted for 25 days in support of the laborers.
“His leadership skills, especially as the defender of the civil human rights, are needed in today’s societies,” Oleas said.
“We have reached a point in which we are headed into regression rather than progression,” said Oleas.
As a result of his peaceful tactics and public support for the union, Chavez and the UFW union organizing committee were able to negotiate contracts with the grape producers of California for higher wages and better treatment of agricultural workers.
“As a Mexican-American, I only know the brief details of what he is known for; however, I attended a Chicano leadership conference where his name was emphasized,” said Lillian Jimenez, a 20-year-old mathematics major.
“I learned that he suffered and fought for a change, and he is someone who deserves recognition,” said Jimenez.
Jimenez feels a connection to Cesar Chavez because she shares her date of birth with him.
Chavez’s movement helped many people, yet a great amount of students – even Hispanics – don’t know much about Cesar Chavez, or how the civil rights and union movement he led lifted Mexican-Americans and other immigrant workers.
“I pardon the fact that young people are beginning their education and might not know about Cesar Chavez,” Reynoso said.
“That is why this holiday provides a learning experience to those who don’t know about him,” said Reynoso.
Although it recently became an official holiday in California, many people are protesting to make it a national holiday, raising awareness by organizing marches.
The Chavez Foundation Web site states that “the Cesar Chavez National Holiday Coalition is gathering signatures and petitions to ask Congress to designate March 31, Cesar’s birthday and the day the UFW was founded, as a national Cesar Chavez holiday.”
A vast amount of events took place across California in recognition of Chavez’s birthday, an example being the 10th annual Cesar Chavez walk that occurred in Los Angeles.
“Humanitarian Cesar Chavez demonstrated that organization is key to winning any fight without violence, and his work will go on forever,” said Andrea Elizabeth Chavez, a 17-year-old nursing major.
Cesar Chavez died April 23, 1993, at the age of 66.
More than 40,000 people participated at his funeral at Delano, Calif.
He was laid to rest at La Paz in Keene, Calif., where the union has its headquarters.
Performers at Santa Rosa Church in San Fernando commemorate Cesar (Jared lorio)