Historians Support Cesar Chavez

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.

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.

The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. devastated a large majority of people around the world. His works of nonviolent acts against racism motivated many, including civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, to solve matters without resorting to inhumane behaviors. Inspired by Dr. King Jr.’s work, Chavez and his union of labor workers devoted themselves to helping those in need through peaceful protests. Similar methods are proven to be successful; Mahatma Gandhi, for instance, gained a great deal of supporters because of his pacifism and tranquil methods of boycotting against British domination. Despite brutal and savage methods of persuasion slowly gaining support, Chavez proves that nonviolent actions are superior; he does so by using ethos in order to uphold moral standards, logos (in reference to the past), and pathos to appeal to the emotions of his audience.

One of Chavez’s most well-known protests is the Delano Grape Strike. Chavez is well known for this individual strike because he was specifically asked from the Filipinos, who were the peoples that were affected so they started the strike because of bad pay (90 cents an hour) and horrible working conditions. Cesar accepted the invitation from the Filipinos because he felt as though this strike could have been helpful towards his protesting causes. This strike focused on the pay, working conditions, and the land owner’s violent actions towards the farm workers. Cesar new the fight for these rights was not going to end anytime soon. The most challenging factor in this strike was keeping all the other farm workers fighting for their right as Mexican American farm workers. Some of the supporting men on the strike were starting to resort to the same violence they received from their employers. Cesar devoted this thought from his head as well as the men who came up with it, because he believed that nonviolent actions forced you to be more creative, in other words, it lets you keep control of the offensive, which is highly important in winning any contest, or in this case protest,

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’s deal with discrimination since 1962, schools, minorities, and farmers were the main target, this guide Chavez to create the National Farm Workers Association, now the United Farm Workers Union. Featured by his nonviolent actions (boycotts, pickets, and strikes), Chavez accomplished his last fight in 1988, in a 36-day fast. Risking his life, he inspired people who supported to believe in a world of equality. Furthermore, Chavez accomplishments brought a new community and environment to Mexican

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.

One of the reasons why Cesar Chavez was an effective leader was because he created a union. If Cesar would not have created the union then there would be no support for farm workers to have rights. During this time period many reporters became skeptical about this because many people in the past had tried this before but failed. Cesar had some supporters who believed that he could do it his

Throughout his speech there is a determined and insistent tone. Chavez asserts repeatedly that nonviolence is the only way for change to happen. The repeated use of “we”, “us” and “our” conveys the message to the audience that he is one of them. Chavez can relate to the farm workers based on his credibility (ethos) because of his past. Chavez went to work on the farm fields at a young age and knew exactly how the frustrated workers felt. In addition, referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the text further established Cesar Chavez’s ethos. King was someone who was revered by proponents of civil rights. Associating an audience with a prominent figure such as Dr. King adds to the credibility in the rhetor.

The story says that “The Association was a group of people who helped farm workers have better rights and better pay.” Chavez and his supporters successfully improved the lives of farmers and farm workers. The story states, “Through boycotts, hunger strikes, and marches, they made a difference for everyone.”These days he still inspires community activists and politicians. The story states, “His speeches about justice, community, and education still resonate…” In 2008 Barack Obama adopted Chavez’s motto “Si, Se Puede.”The story says, “Barack Obama adopted it as his campaign slogan.” Obama used it because he wanted to inspire people like Chavez. Senator Robert F. Kennedy described him as one of the best heroic figures of all time.”

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.

Does violence actually ever accomplish anything? Some people seem to think that it does. Cesar Chavez on the other hand, disagrees. In an article that Chavez wrote for a magazine and made some excellent points and arguments about why nonviolence is so much more effective as opposed to violence. He covers topics such as morality, or lack thereof, shown by violence and nonviolence, as well as honor. Chavez’s rhetorical choices made in favor of his argument seems to have a lasting effect as people today still resort to nonviolent acts of resistance against their government.