Monday, May 11, 2009
Making A Difference
Cesar Chavez worked hard to make the lives of the migrant farm workers a lot easier. He wanted them to have the rights they deserved. They deserved the right to health care, sanitary living conditions and increased wages. The migrant workers faced many challenges along with racism and discrimination. Against all odds Cesar never gave up, he believed in their cause, they could make a difference. Cesar was a strong believer of non violence. Many of his followers agreed in his peaceful manner. He changed laws, and fought for their rights by organizing boycotts, strikes and pickets.
My parents as well as many of these migrant workers have faced many challenges in the United States. I was not aware of all the great things that Cesar had done to fight for the rights of so many people. After doing this project I am prouder to say that I am Mexican American, and proud of my parents for all their hard work. “Si Se Puede” it means “Yes We Can.” Cesar Chavez continued his devotion to gain rights for all the farm workers till the day of his death. He will always be remembered as a Hero.
Cesar Chavez worked hard to make the lives of the migrant farm workers a lot easier. He wanted them to have the rights they deserved. They deserved the right to health care, sanitary living conditions and increased wages. The migrant workers faced many challenges along with racism and discrimination. Against all odds Cesar never gave up, he believed in their cause, they could make a difference. Cesar was a strong believer of non violence. Many of his followers agreed in his peaceful manner. He changed laws, and fought for their rights by organizing boycotts, strikes and pickets.
My parents as well as many of these migrant workers have faced many challenges in the United States. I was not aware of all the great things that Cesar had done to fight for the rights of so many people. After doing this project I am prouder to say that I am Mexican American, and proud of my parents for all their hard work. “Si Se Puede” it means “Yes We Can.” Cesar Chavez continued his devotion to gain rights for all the farm workers till the day of his death. He will always be remembered as a Hero.
Cesar Chavez cofounded the United Farm Workers of America labor union. He was a Mexican American labor leader who worked to retain nationwide attention for the migrant workers, helping them improve their working and living conditions.
Cesar Chavez was born in the year 1927, near Yuma Arizona. His father lost his farm during the Great Depression. After losing their farm Chavez’ family became migrant farm workers. Chavez was forced to leave school during the eighth grade so he could help his family by working in the fields. Cesar’s life growing up was tough; while he was in school he faced segregation as well as racist remarks from his classmates. He was not allowed to speak Spanish in school, only English. If the rule was broken they would face physical punishment. Even though he faced difficult times in school, he was not discouraged. Education became one of his biggest passions. Chavez joined the navy during World War II at the age of seventeen, serving two years. Once again Chavez faced discrimination and strict regiment.
He began as a community organizer in 1952. He joined Community Service Organization, which was a Latino Civil rights group. His job was to coordinate voter registrations and campaigns against racial and economic discrimination, which he faced. By the early 1960s he became the CSO’s national director.
Along with Dolores Huerta, in 1962 they founded the farm workers Union, known as the NFWA. They wanted to better the working conditions of the workers. Chavez and Huerta wanted to change the labor laws which would offer more rights to the workers. They began by recruiting members and registering the farm workers to vote. They wanted increases in wages, and better housing. By 1965 they had recruited about 2,00o members. Chavez led the NFWA members on a strike to support their cause. They were supporting the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee. In 1966 Chavez led a march from Delano to the state capital of Sacramento. This march brought national attention to their cause.
During the 1966 march, the farm workers carried banners to show support. These banners had sayings such as “Huelga” meaning strike or “Viva La Causa,” long live the cause. Their flag symbol was a black eagle. "A symbol is an important thing. That is why we chose an Aztec eagle. It gives pride . . . When people see it they know it means dignity." (The Story of Cesar Chavez)
The purpose for these strikes was to make people aware of the struggles that the farm workers were facing. They were fighting for their right for better pay and safer working conditions. Cesar believed in peaceful resolutions, thus his boycotts, pickets and strikes were all peaceful. The main supporters were organized labor, religious groups as well as minorities and students.
Cesar was very devoted to helping the farm workers. Chavez would put his life at risk, to prove a point. He would do so by fasting, in 1968 he went on only water for 25 days. He repeated these several times. When asked why he was doing so, he answered “Farm workers everywhere are angry and worried that we cannot win without violence. We have proved it before through persistence, hard work, faith and willingness to sacrifice.” (The Story of Cesar Chavez) He believed they would overcome, and get the rights they all wanted and deserved.
By the year 1975, a poll showed that 17 millions adults honored the grape boycott after Cesar called for a worldwide boycott. This brought fourth the 1975 Agricultural Labor Relations Act. Farm workers were making progress after their hard work and dedication. The UFW was winning many union elections in which it participated. By the 1980s the numbers of the farm workers under the UFW numbered in the tens of thousands. Under the contracts made by the UFW, the workers gained higher pay, family health coverage as well as pension benefits.
Even though they were moving forward in their battle, once Republican George Deukmejian was elected governor of California the laws ceased to be enforced. Cesar called for another boycott in the year 1984. Four years later he called for a 36 day “Fast for Life” protesting the pesticide poisoning of grape workers as well as their children. In 1991 Cesar received the Aztec Eagle (La Aguila Azteca). This award is presented to people with Mexican heritage who make contributions outside of the country.
On April 23, 1993 Cesar Chavez passed away in his sleep. He was 66 years old. Chavez was followed by 40,000 people during his funeral at Delano. In 1994, he became the second Mexican American to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This award is the highest civilian honor in the United States; it was presented to his widow by President Bill Clinton. Many declared that the union was dead after Cesar’s death. But to this day, the UFW continues to negotiate contracts and win elections to benefit workers. On March 31st in the year 1994, his son-in-law led a march 343 miles from Delano to Sacramento as remembrance to Cesar Chavez. To promote Cesar’s ideals his family along with the UFW created the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation. In 2000 California established Cesar Chavez day as a state holiday.
Cesar Chavez was born in the year 1927, near Yuma Arizona. His father lost his farm during the Great Depression. After losing their farm Chavez’ family became migrant farm workers. Chavez was forced to leave school during the eighth grade so he could help his family by working in the fields. Cesar’s life growing up was tough; while he was in school he faced segregation as well as racist remarks from his classmates. He was not allowed to speak Spanish in school, only English. If the rule was broken they would face physical punishment. Even though he faced difficult times in school, he was not discouraged. Education became one of his biggest passions. Chavez joined the navy during World War II at the age of seventeen, serving two years. Once again Chavez faced discrimination and strict regiment.
He began as a community organizer in 1952. He joined Community Service Organization, which was a Latino Civil rights group. His job was to coordinate voter registrations and campaigns against racial and economic discrimination, which he faced. By the early 1960s he became the CSO’s national director.
Along with Dolores Huerta, in 1962 they founded the farm workers Union, known as the NFWA. They wanted to better the working conditions of the workers. Chavez and Huerta wanted to change the labor laws which would offer more rights to the workers. They began by recruiting members and registering the farm workers to vote. They wanted increases in wages, and better housing. By 1965 they had recruited about 2,00o members. Chavez led the NFWA members on a strike to support their cause. They were supporting the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee. In 1966 Chavez led a march from Delano to the state capital of Sacramento. This march brought national attention to their cause.
During the 1966 march, the farm workers carried banners to show support. These banners had sayings such as “Huelga” meaning strike or “Viva La Causa,” long live the cause. Their flag symbol was a black eagle. "A symbol is an important thing. That is why we chose an Aztec eagle. It gives pride . . . When people see it they know it means dignity." (The Story of Cesar Chavez)
The purpose for these strikes was to make people aware of the struggles that the farm workers were facing. They were fighting for their right for better pay and safer working conditions. Cesar believed in peaceful resolutions, thus his boycotts, pickets and strikes were all peaceful. The main supporters were organized labor, religious groups as well as minorities and students.
Cesar was very devoted to helping the farm workers. Chavez would put his life at risk, to prove a point. He would do so by fasting, in 1968 he went on only water for 25 days. He repeated these several times. When asked why he was doing so, he answered “Farm workers everywhere are angry and worried that we cannot win without violence. We have proved it before through persistence, hard work, faith and willingness to sacrifice.” (The Story of Cesar Chavez) He believed they would overcome, and get the rights they all wanted and deserved.
By the year 1975, a poll showed that 17 millions adults honored the grape boycott after Cesar called for a worldwide boycott. This brought fourth the 1975 Agricultural Labor Relations Act. Farm workers were making progress after their hard work and dedication. The UFW was winning many union elections in which it participated. By the 1980s the numbers of the farm workers under the UFW numbered in the tens of thousands. Under the contracts made by the UFW, the workers gained higher pay, family health coverage as well as pension benefits.
Even though they were moving forward in their battle, once Republican George Deukmejian was elected governor of California the laws ceased to be enforced. Cesar called for another boycott in the year 1984. Four years later he called for a 36 day “Fast for Life” protesting the pesticide poisoning of grape workers as well as their children. In 1991 Cesar received the Aztec Eagle (La Aguila Azteca). This award is presented to people with Mexican heritage who make contributions outside of the country.
On April 23, 1993 Cesar Chavez passed away in his sleep. He was 66 years old. Chavez was followed by 40,000 people during his funeral at Delano. In 1994, he became the second Mexican American to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This award is the highest civilian honor in the United States; it was presented to his widow by President Bill Clinton. Many declared that the union was dead after Cesar’s death. But to this day, the UFW continues to negotiate contracts and win elections to benefit workers. On March 31st in the year 1994, his son-in-law led a march 343 miles from Delano to Sacramento as remembrance to Cesar Chavez. To promote Cesar’s ideals his family along with the UFW created the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation. In 2000 California established Cesar Chavez day as a state holiday.
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