The example of Cesar Chávez

Cesar Chávez set an example of spiritual strength, belief in the justice of his cause and facing adverse situations with a non-violent philosophy. This does not mean that he was a saint; he was a man with the virtues and defects of his times, who improved the lives of farmworkers with his efforts.

As we celebrate the birth of the farmworker’s leader, a recently launched movie recalls the beginnings of United Farmworkers (UFW) and the courageous struggle of Chávez and his followers to overcome the agricultural interests that were exploiting farmworkers. The film is a dignified homage that immortalizes Chávez the activist as a role model for younger generations.

The demonstrations, boycotts and hunger strikes that Chávez began resulted in major victories for farmworkers, like earning the right to organize and negotiate collectively, as well as better working conditions. The road was filled with obstacles and some controversy, like the belief back then that undocumented immigrants were hurting the union.

Chávez’s achievements are significant. However, even today, there is still the belief that the nature of farm work is so different from other types of work that it does not deserve the same rules. For example, in New York State, the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act is still at a standstill in the state Senate, even after the Assembly approved it. The bill only extends to farmworkers the same protections that workers in other industries already have.

The struggle that Cesar Chávez began has not ended. Today, in America’s fields, exploitation still exists among the more than 3 million farmworkers—75% of whom are immigrants. Let’s honor Chávez by defending the dignity at work of those who harvest on a daily basis the food on our nation’s tables.