April 2, 1999
On March 31st we recognized and honored Cesar E. Chavez.
From the barrio of Sal Sí
Puedes in San Jose, California, Cesar Chavez rose to heights that
have only been reached by few men. Chavez stands alongside men
such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Ghandi, and President John Kennedy,
to name a few.
Chavez rose from the fields to lead millions of Mexican Americans, to break bread with presidents, to sit across the table with captains of industry, to raise awareness around the world about the plight of the farmworker, and to serve as an inspiration/hope to the Chicano/Hispanic people.
From an informal meeting in a neighbor's home, about workers rights, Chavez went on to form the United Farm Workers Union which he was to lead for three decades. Chavez came to symbolize Chicano pride and empowerment. Chavez came to galvanize the Chicano movement, to create the blueprint by which the movement marched. Chavez gave a voice to the voiceless. Through picketing, boycotts, and hunger strikes Chavez was able to rise above the dust of the fields and force better wages for the workers, safety standards, pesticide awareness, and power - Chicano Power - Sí Se Puede.
The legacy, spirit of Cesar Chavez lives on through the cadre of Chicanos/Hispanos who learned and were inspired to become involved politically and within their community. Chavez' legacy continues to shape political thought. The Speaker of the House, Antonio Villaraigosa, speaks of how Chavez and the Chicano movement shaped him as a young man. Assemblywoman Sarah Reyes of Fresno speaks of the plight of farmworkers. And, Assemblymember Abel Maldonado, a Republican, speaks of farmworkers rights and talks about believing in the man, Chavez, for standing up for what was right. In local political and social circles Chavez is revered and looked to as STILL the leader of the Chicano community.
Cesar Chavez died in 1993 and with him for all intents and purpose the Chicano movement went with him. Since 1993 no Chicano leader has stepped forth to provide the leadership, to provide the inspiration, or to provide the vision. What was once the Chicano leadership has grown old and the young leaders have chosen to follow a different blue print.
The death of Chavez was not only the passing of a great man, but also the passing of a movement, a movement that defined a people and brought the Chicano community to the forefront of politics.
Cesar Chavez passed away on April 23, 1993. He was laid to rest at La Paz in a rose garden at the foot of the hill he often climbed to watch the sun rise. And there the sun now rises on the new Chicano/Hispano as we move forward to a new day.
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