Cesar Chavez Essay Example

to move to California in search of work as temporary farm laborers, much like other rural families in the southwest. (Griswold del Castillo; Jusko)

The Chavez family frequently relocated to find seasonal work, with Cesar Chavez joining his parents in the fields to pick carrots, cotton, and grapes amidst the sweltering California heat. It was during these years that Chavez witnessed firsthand the unscrupulous labor contractors, abysmal pay rates, and shoddy living and working conditions faced by migrant workers. It was also during this time that he was exposed to union organizing through his father's participation in various union endeavors.

(Ramakrishnan; Russell) According to beliefs, Chavez gained knowledge about strikes, organizing operations, and picket lines from his father and uncle who actively supported unions. Chavez and his followers contributed significantly to society during his lifetime and he witnessed the outcome of his non-violent actions.

Chavez began organizing workers in the fields in 1952 and was supported by the California-based Community Service Organization (CSO), which provided recruitment and training. Over the next ten years, Chavez helped build new CSO chapters, led voter registration drives, and assisted Mexican-Americans in addressing issues related to police and immigration abuse. In 1958, he became general director of CSO. However, Chavez resigned four years later with $1,200 in savings to establish the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) in 1962. Despite challenges, Chavez was a determined man who succeeded in all endeavors he pursued. (Gale Encyclopedia)

Russell states that the NFWA successfully convinced two major California growers to raise the wages of migrant workers by 1965, resulting in 1,700 families joining the organization. The NFWA later merged with an organization of Filipino workers to form

the UFWOC, which launched the La Huelga (The Strike) campaign in 1966, picketing grape growers in Delano who paid low wages. This five-year strike against grape growers in the San Joaquin, Imperial, and Coachella valleys came to be known nationally as The Strike and became a defining moment in Chavez's work as a labor activist. The campaign raised awareness of the conditions faced by migrant workers throughout the country and world.

Chavez became an emblem of civil disobedience, as demonstrated by his hunger strikes, marches, sit-ins, and self-imposed arrests, which caused California's grape growers to suffer significant financial losses. These efforts led to the granting of rights and increased minimum wage for migrant workers by the growers in 1970.

Russell claims that Cesar Chavez broke his fast by sharing bread with Senator Robert Kennedy, who was then running for the United States presidency. According to DISCovering World, Chavez made history by establishing a functional and effective union for California's farm workers that resulted in signed contracts from the agricultural industry. Additionally, Jusko suggests that Chavez fought for civil rights of various marginalized groups including African Americans, women, gays, and lesbians, and that La Huelga was merely the first of many successful boycotts that Chavez organized on behalf of grape and lettuce pickers. Chavez remained a beloved figure in the Mexican American community and symbolized the struggle for fairness and equality for all people, despite a decline in membership in the UFWOC over time.

(Russell) Despite encountering difficulties, Cesar Chavez accomplished numerous feats with his peaceful approach and magnetic personality. He imbued farm workers with self-respect and resilience, significantly influencing Americans' outlook. (Chavez Forms) As one of the

most remarkable Mexican-Americans in history, he will always be remembered. Even after death, his unparalleled legacy endures as people from various countries still recognize his contributions. La Causa, which sparked the Hispanic American civil rights movement, is his crowning achievement. Not only did UFW members receive better compensation, but they also became eligible for medical insurance, employer-paid pensions, and unemployment benefits.

Although he died at 66 years old on April 23, 1993, Chavez's influence still motivates Latino activists, union organizers, community leaders, and civil rights activists. The passing of Chavez was recognized by The New York Times with a front-page obituary and national and international leaders offered condolences. Furthermore, in 1994 President Clinton bestowed upon Chavez the Medal of Freedom - the ultimate civilian honor in the United States - as noted by Ramakrishnan.

Ramakrishnan and Jusko state that Chavez was recognized for his endeavors in enhancing the treatment of agricultural laborers. In 1999, he was added to the U.S. Labor Department's Hall of Fame and awarded Mexico's highest distinction, known as the Aguila Azteca ("Aztec Eagle"), for Mexicans who have made noteworthy contributions beyond their nation's borders. Furthermore, California declared his birthday an official holiday in August 2000 as a tribute to his moral guidance and unwavering commitment towards promoting social justice.

Cesar Chavez's impact is visible throughout the US, with various events and establishments named in his honor. In 2005, a gathering in San Antonio acknowledged his contributions to farm workers. Schools in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Madison, Wisconsin have been renamed after him alongside the Cesar Chavez Community Center in Racine, Wisconsin. Additionally, I-196 Highway's business loop in Grand Rapids, Michigan has been designated

as "Cesar E Chavez Blvd". Furthermore, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver honored Chavez posthumously by including him into The California Museum for History, Women, and the Arts' California Hall of Fame on December 6th of 2006.

Wikipedia states that the University of Texas at Austin revealed a statue of Cesar Chavez on October 9, 2007. Despite not possessing traditional qualities of a labor leader, such as material wealth or formal education and earning only $6,000 annually, Chavez was remarkably effective in organizing movements throughout American history. His legacy continues through physical tributes erected in his honor and as a guiding principle for the enduring influence of the Mexican-American civil rights movement today, highlighted by Castillo.

Enders notes that Chavez held a distinct vision for the UFW. He aimed to create a social movement capable of transforming the lives of Mexican-Americans as a whole, rather than just being another labor union. Following the 1970 grape strike, Chavez observed that most strikers had lost their homes and cars - but he believed this experience led them to self-discovery. Griswold del Castillo highlights how Chavez's inspiring leadership via El Movimiento revolutionized American perspectives on farm workers and elevated the social and economic issues facing Mexican-Americans into national attention. Despite any conscious intention, his actions would have long-lasting effects on future generations of farm workers.