I’m off work today for Cesar Chavez Day, so I decided to take a little time to honor him. Most of this information is from his Wikipedia entry. I’ve pulled out the facts most interesting to me.
First, Cesar Chavez Day is recognized in four states—besides California, there’s Texas, Arizona and Colorado. Most California state workers are given the day off with the intension of promoting service to the community in honor of Chavez. Hmm, nobody mentioned that part of the deal. Is cleaning my refrigerator community service?
Chavez came to national attention as one of the leaders of the United Farm Workers, but he began civil rights organizing in 1952 at the age of 25. I didn’t live in California at the time, but I remember reluctantly passing over many a bunch of grapes back in the 70s. His influence had spread all the way to the far-flung reaches of Virginia by that time. Like Obama today, his enthusiastic and persistent belief that change will happen with little sacrifices by many people strikes a chord in the hearts of those who want to help and don’t know how.
Chavez spoke out against illegal immigration (undocumented workers willing to work for low wages undermined the progress the UFW had made in improving workers rights), but he was also instrumental in getting amnesty provision in the 1986 federal immigration act. I also found it interesting that he was a vegan. His unflappable determination to address problems that still plague us today (immigration inequities, overturn of negotiated union benefits) certainly earns him a place of honor in American history.
Si se puede!
First, Cesar Chavez Day is recognized in four states—besides California, there’s Texas, Arizona and Colorado. Most California state workers are given the day off with the intension of promoting service to the community in honor of Chavez. Hmm, nobody mentioned that part of the deal. Is cleaning my refrigerator community service?
Chavez came to national attention as one of the leaders of the United Farm Workers, but he began civil rights organizing in 1952 at the age of 25. I didn’t live in California at the time, but I remember reluctantly passing over many a bunch of grapes back in the 70s. His influence had spread all the way to the far-flung reaches of Virginia by that time. Like Obama today, his enthusiastic and persistent belief that change will happen with little sacrifices by many people strikes a chord in the hearts of those who want to help and don’t know how.
Chavez spoke out against illegal immigration (undocumented workers willing to work for low wages undermined the progress the UFW had made in improving workers rights), but he was also instrumental in getting amnesty provision in the 1986 federal immigration act. I also found it interesting that he was a vegan. His unflappable determination to address problems that still plague us today (immigration inequities, overturn of negotiated union benefits) certainly earns him a place of honor in American history.
Si se puede!
