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
Cesar Chavez on the tenth anniversary of Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr's assassination, wrote an article in a religious organization's magazine. In his article, he accentuates his argument on nonviolent resistance. By the use of specific examples and rhetorical devices. He appeals to his crowd and provides his argument as to why nonviolence should be used to accomplish their goals. One of the specific examples being that Dr.Kings life exemplifies the farm workers movement. Dr.Kings death giving them the opportunity to remember the principles of which their struggle has matured. Further, into the article, he infers that the use of nonviolence poses the opposite effect of violence. The effect being the attraction of support from people that would
He insists on the fact that inhumane vengeance will lead to injury and death, as well as “demoralization”. This argument is greatly supported by the death of Dr. King Jr; his view of nonviolence helped to grow and mature the farm worker’s movement. Civil workers are guilted into supporting their fallen hero in order to fulfill his dying wish. Chavez instructs them to “overcome… [their] frustrations” and support their causes through methods of peaceful protests. Chavez, appealing to their sense of emotion, manages to persuade a disconnected society by desperately wanting to avenge Dr. King’s untimely
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 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.
In a magazine article by Cesar Chavez on the 10th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, Chavez discusses the advantages of nonviolent resistance versus violent resistance, arguing that “nonviolence is more powerful than violence.” Chavez successfully develops his argument for nonviolent resistance by utilizing the rhetorical strategies of repetition and allusion.
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.
To begin with, Chavez uses logos in his speech through a rhetorical question, “Who gets killed in the case of violent revolution? The poor, the workers.” The people who are arguing for violent revolutions are mostly poor workers whom Chavez refers to. Chavez uses logic to show these people that if they use violent revolts, they are most likely the ones going to be killed which for the most part will deter the people who are aiming for this. Another appeal Chavez uses is ethos to show everyone as people we are expected to do the right thing. In the speech he says, “We are convinced that when people are faced with a direct appeal from the poor struggling nonviolently against great odds, they will react positively.” This appeals to peoples’ morals by saying people are expected to react in a positive way when dealing with struggling
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.”
Research on Cesar Chavez helps me because it gives me information about his life and what amazing things he did to help his people. Cesar Chavez was important to me because of the way he talked to bring his people up and make them stronger, he said “We draw strength from the very despair in which we have been forced to lired” ().. To me he was a hero because he made his people feel like humans and he always speaked up for them and made them feel equal, Cesar Chavez said “The fight is never about grapes or lettuce, It is always about people.”
Cesar Chavez was a great role model and activist for farmers with bad working conditions. He stood up to large fruit-growing organizations who would not provide well-paying jobs to local citizens. For his actions, he was given numerous awards.
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.