In 1965, a Filipino union group called The Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee “struck when the Delano grape growers cut the pay rates during harvest” (Rick Tejada-Flores PBS). Because of this, the strike went on, and Chavez became the leader, according to PBS. As a result, the grape strike began and lasted for five years (Encyclopedia of World Biography). Because Chavez learned writings from St. Francis and Gandhi, he decided to put that into play. According to PBS, Chavez’ group would fight without the use of violence. Also found in PBS, it states that many people went around asking them to stop buying grapes for the farmers’
Cesar Chavez was a profoundly excellent leader that changed the lives of thousands of immigrant labor workers. Labor Unions have been a fundamental part of the lives of labor workers all throughout history and in these groups the marginalized people experienced exploitation and discrimination. The businesses increased their profits by over working and not providing basic labor rights to the workers such as hygiene. Chavez empathized with the workers since he experienced the hardships of being overworked and not being paid fairly. For this he stayed committed to society and took many actions against the injustices. He believed in better working conditions for the farmworkers which led him to start huge protests to get to his goal. In order to better the lives of these immigrant people Chavez displayed bravery to do what no else had the courage to do, to help others, and for that reason he displayed exceptional leader characteristics. He wasn’t afraid to stand by his views and throughout his fight for civil rights he displayed vision, concern and courage, which later led to a better future for the farmworkers.
This article is a great primary source. It contains a series of interviews conducted by Bob Fitch with Cesar Chavez. It focuses on the grape boycott of California and the tactics Chavez used. Bob Fitch visited Cesar Chavez and the farm workers and explained their plight. The words of the workers were important in supporting the thesis of this research. This article focuses on why Chavez did what he did, why he took matters into his own hands, and risked everything he had to help the migrant farm workers. This was a very valuable source for that reason. The article gave me a look at the life of a farm worker and the need for reform from
Mexican-American Cesar Chavez (1927-1993) is known as an American farm worker, a prominent union leader, labor organizer, and a civil rights activist. By having much experience since he was a migrant worker when he was very young, Chavez with another co-founder created The National Farm Workers Association in 1962 that later became United Farm Workers. As a union leader, his union and the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee made their first strike against grape growers in California. Having been through many hardships as a migrant farm worker, the Latino American civil rights activist led marches, called for boycotts, and made strikes to raise and recover conditions for farm workers. His contributions led to numerous improvements for
The video I chose to review is “Viva la Causa” by Teaching Tolerance. This movie is very educational and it covers a lot of important topics about how farm workers fought for their rights in the fields. I believe this movie was created to show and explain to minorities and farm workers that marching and boycotting for human rights can lead to a better outcome working in the fields. Cesar Chavez was a string and intelligent Chicano man that believed farm workers were being treated poorly in the fields. They would get sprayed with pesticide, lack of clean water, no bathrooms, and long hours of work with little pay that were not being acknowledged by the farm owners. Therefore, he gathered farm workers to join “Huelga” (strike) and fight for human rights without using violence.
Cesar Chavez had a great pride towards everything he stood for, whether it was his catholic beliefs or protecting his fellow man from the oppressor. Growing up in America, Cesar Chavez witnessed discrimination from being Mexican first hand. By growing up in a family oriented catholic home, he was raised to care about the well being of others and to approach life in a nonviolent manner. Having a father who was a farmer, he witnessed the poor living conditions and wages that were given to him and knew that something had to be done. Cesar Chavez’s fight for improving working conditions for farmers helped him gather a large following of Mexican Americans. By implementing elements of Catholicism and parts of his Mexican heritage into his rallies using The Virgen de Guadalupe as a symbol for protection, and by protesting through the use of nonviolence and self-sacrifice, Cesar Chavez managed to start a revolution in America to get first class citizenship for Mexican Americans.
Cesar Chavez influences poor labor workers that nonviolence is the best way to make a change. The rhetorical devices Chavez uses within the article catch the workers attention and helps make them feel as if they can make a change, and of all the devices, his militant diction influences the reader most.
In the end i think it's pretty clear why cesar chavez was a successful leader he possessed all the leading qualities and knew what to do in a time like that. He was a brave courageous guy with a goal to better the world for other people. He put others above himself and that's what made him such a great
Cesar Chavez explained nonviolence as a form of bringing awareness to not only the wages, working conditions and treatment of farm workers, but also the overall treatment of marginalized people in the United States. However, growing up with the perspective of the farmworker’s inspired him to spread the word of resistance against the growers and the government as a whole. Cesar Chavez purpose of La Causa not only inspired people to become a part of something so great, but to inflict change individually by encouraging his brothers and sisters to become mentally and physically strong. Which I believe is the backbone to a non-violence protest. It’s also the mentality a social worker should inhibit because dealing with change, it requires many of
Mexican immigration has been a controversy in the United States before 1980. According to Jie Zong and Jeanne Batalova, Mexican immigration can be divided in three waves: the first one, before World War two, the second one started with the Bracero program, and the last one after it. Nevertheless, Mexican immigration can be seen as something threat or as the opposite, a benefit to the country and it all depends on which side you want to be. The American, Cesar Chavez who was a farm worker, also creator/leader of the United Farm Workers Union, influenced ad contributed to United States history by using Mexican’s “dignity” and nonviolent strategies to showed Americans that Mexicans could accomplished hard work and being successful for the country.
Cesar Chavez wrote a piece in the magazine of religious organization on the ten year anniversary of Martin Luther King. He starts off saying that Dr. King was a very powerful man with nonviolent means. Throughout his writing he gives many example of why nonviolence will ultimately succeed over violent means, and give of many appeals of emotional, logical, creditable justification. Dr. King may have dies, but with his death only more power has come to the peaceful citizens of the world.
In the text his main purpose was to persuade farm workers not to use violence to get their (farm workers) demands met, and boycott grape farms. In doing so the farmers would have to give in to demands of labor leaders. However, due to the struggles of others
“Si, Se Puede” or “Yes, You Can” helped Cesar stand up for human rights by believing anything is possible. Nelson Mandela did all he could to stop segregation in South Africa. Cesar Chavez did all he could to help farm workers have better rights. Both Cesar and Nelson did all they could to help their community and never gave up. They impacted the world with their big efforts.
It was growing largely, having 1700 families as members by 1965. Grape pickers were paid about one dollar an hour in California. Another union was fighting against grape growers, too. They worked together to form the UFWOC (United Farm Workers Organizing Committee). Cesar led a 300-mile march of the grape growers. When that didn't work, he stopped eating. He drank only water and soda for 25 days. Robert F. Kennedy, a senator at that time, gave Cesar a piece of bread. Kennedy said, "I come here as an American citizen to honor Cesar Chavez. I honor him for his compassion, his honesty, his truth, and dedication." In 1970, the boycott ended and higher wages and health care were given to Cesar's union. He organized a boycott of lettuce. He was thrown in jail when he refused to end the boycott. After that, he refused to eat for twenty-four days. Poisonous chemicals were being sprayed on grapes at that time. Chavez led a boycott of the grapes and for thirty-six days he fasted.