Cesar Chavez Day - March 31
Who was Cesar Chavez and what did he have in common with Mahatma Gandhi?
Cesar Chavez has become a symbol of hope for the poor and powerless. He remains an inspiration for Latino’s everywhere, and a strong yet peaceful advocate in the fight against racism in America. Cesar proved that people who come together and speak with one voice can be much stronger when they are united than when they stand alone.
He was born in Arizona to a family of sharecroppers where they worked as migrant farmworkers. He began picking crops at the early age of twelve. In 1962 he co-founded the National Farm Workers Association. He became the most famous Latino American civil rights activist. It was more than the start of a union; it was the beginning of a movement – a group of like-minded people working together to share an idea and bring about change. Their motto was Viva La Causa – Long Live the Cause. He advocated for better pay from the organizations that employed farm workers so that they could earn a decent wage and provide for their families.
Chavez was inspired by a Catholic priest who instilled in him the need for all people to be treated fairly and with respect. These learnings included the life of a political leader by the name of Mahatma Gandhi, a political leader in India who believed in peace and nonviolence. Gandhi became interested in the struggle for civil rights while working as a lawyer in South Africa.
He was shy and not a good public speaker, but he was determined and hard-working man. He believed in sacrificing time and money to help others. He believed in protesting, but always in a peaceful manner.
Cesar Chavez Day was declared by President Barack Obama, March 31 which is also his birthday. He called upon all American’s to celebrate the achievements of Cesar Chavez across the United States, by helping out in their communities. What a great legacy and message to inspire us all to love our neighbor, gain perspective and rekindle what would bring everyone together. To speak with one voice … united, just like Chavez endeavored to do.
God bless you
Brent M
Learning Help Centers of Charlotte
March 2021
