College honors Hispanic icon

Thursday, March 31 in the east campus quad area a celebration for Cesar Chavez's accomplishments, attributions to the farm workers was commemorated. Students gave speeches of his cultural impact on us, what he did as well as his importance. Posters decorated the lawn of pictures of Chavez as well as "Las Soldaderas" (women who were also a part of the Mexican Revolution) and other symbolic pieces to "La Causa" (the cause).

Amongst the many speeches given by students one that spoke of the cultural impact of Chavez was Isabel Speechan. Speechan spoke of the cultural impact Chavez had on not just the Mexican farm working community but also on the Filipino farm working community.

Chavez united with the Filipino cause in 1965 when the NFWA (National Farmworkers Association) which Chavez didn't want to call a union due to negative connotations an agricultural union came with. However, it was at this time when the Agricultural Workers Organization Committee (AWOC) a mostly Filipino union got hit when Delano grape grower cut pay rates during harvest. Chavez's organization joined the strike and he soon became the leader.

His tactics to get his message across were simple and non-violent, "he can almost be compared to a Martin Luther King" said Francisco Muniz. Chavez's didn't use violence, he was well aware he couldn't, he didn't have the man power nor monetary fund's to really hurt farm growers in radical ways. Instead, what he did was side by side with his organization and supporters he not only worked the picket lines but also moved shoppers at grocery stores to not purchase grapes, explaining to them why and what was happening to labor workers.

Over 13 million Americans ended up supporting the cause of the Delano grape farm workers by "helping the farm workers not buy grapes." Due to the large amount of pressure the boycotts put on the growers in 1969 in Delano historic contracts were signed with the united Farmworkers Organization committee which later became the UFW.

Another interesting fact learned from the speeches was of the many symbolic items attached to the "la causa" (the cause). The cause that is referenced to is that of the agricultural farmworkers that from the beginning of the day to the end work our fields tending and caring for our fruits and vegetables we consume at home. La Virgen de Guadalupe (the virgin Mary) is also symbolic of the farmworkers as their protector as many see it as the one who takes care of them in their long days.

El "Malcriado" a Spanish reference to spoiled child/person was also back then during the prime time of the farm workers revolution the newspaper through which news were passed through from laborers to activists on what was going on and being achieved. Through that newspaper as with so many now; the pirateslog being included issues were raised, news on accomplishments and failures passed on and victories celebrates and defeats taken.

The commemoration day of Chavez for some was a day of remembrance of who he was and what he did; for others it was a day to also reflect on what can still be done for "la cause" to continue with the fight that for some may be cuts, others inhumane working condition with poor pays and others overall abuse. At MJC it was celebrated in different manners with vendors selling typical Mexican knick knacks, food, speeches and information of his message of "si se puede" yes, you can. Si se puede vences obstaculos (yes you can overcome obstacles) and above all fight for what's important to you and what's right.