Cesar Chavez - Revision history

imported>Smasongarrison: +Category:20th-century American trade unionists, (-Category:20th-century American people), (-Category:20th-century trade unionists), (-Category:American trade unionists); QuickCategories batch #11671

2025-12-29T13:27:26Z

+Category:20th-century American trade unionists, (-Category:20th-century American people), (-Category:20th-century trade unionists), (-Category:American trade unionists); QuickCategories batch #11671

← Previous revision		Revision as of 13:27, 29 December 2025
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	Chavez became a controversial figure. UFW critics raised concerns about his autocratic control of the union, the purges of those he deemed disloyal, and the [[personality cult]] built around him, while farm owners considered him a [[Red-baiting\|communist]] subversive. He became an icon for organized labor and leftist groups in the U.S. Posthumously, he became a "folk saint" among Mexican Americans. His birthday is [[Cesar Chavez Day\|a federal commemorative holiday]] in several U.S. states, while [[List of places named after Cesar Chavez\|many places are named after him]], and in 1994 he posthumously received the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]].		Chavez became a controversial figure. UFW critics raised concerns about his autocratic control of the union, the purges of those he deemed disloyal, and the [[personality cult]] built around him, while farm owners considered him a [[Red-baiting\|communist]] subversive. He became an icon for organized labor and leftist groups in the U.S. Posthumously, he became a "folk saint" among Mexican Americans. His birthday is [[Cesar Chavez Day\|a federal commemorative holiday]] in several U.S. states, while [[List of places named after Cesar Chavez\|many places are named after him]], and in 1994 he posthumously received the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]].

			{{Progressivism US\|activists and intellectuals}}

	==Early life==		==Early life==
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	Chavez abhorred poverty,{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=195}} regarding it as dehumanizing,{{sfn\|Ospino\|2013\|p=415}} and wanted to ensure a better standard of living for the poor.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=195}} He was frustrated that most farmworkers appeared more interested in money and did not appreciate the values that he espoused.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=358}} He was concerned that, as he had seen with the CSO, individuals moving out of poverty often adopted middle-class values; he viewed the middle classes with contempt.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=195}} He recognized that union activity was not a long-term solution to poverty across society and suggested that forming co-operatives therefore might be the best solution.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=195}} In Chavez's view, workers' [[cooperatives]] offered a middle ground economic choice between the failed system of capitalism and the [[state socialism]] of Marxist-Leninist countries.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=196}} His son Paul recalls "My father's basic premise was that capitalism was not going to work because it was too harsh and always took advantage of those least able to defend themselves".<ref>{{cite book \|last1=Levy \|first1=Jacques E. \|title=Cesar Chavez: Autobiography of La Causa \|publisher=University of Minnesota Press}}</ref> He also embraced ideals about communal living, and saw the La Paz commune he established in California as a model for others to follow.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=238}}		Chavez abhorred poverty,{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=195}} regarding it as dehumanizing,{{sfn\|Ospino\|2013\|p=415}} and wanted to ensure a better standard of living for the poor.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=195}} He was frustrated that most farmworkers appeared more interested in money and did not appreciate the values that he espoused.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=358}} He was concerned that, as he had seen with the CSO, individuals moving out of poverty often adopted middle-class values; he viewed the middle classes with contempt.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=195}} He recognized that union activity was not a long-term solution to poverty across society and suggested that forming co-operatives therefore might be the best solution.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=195}} In Chavez's view, workers' [[cooperatives]] offered a middle ground economic choice between the failed system of capitalism and the [[state socialism]] of Marxist-Leninist countries.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=196}} His son Paul recalls "My father's basic premise was that capitalism was not going to work because it was too harsh and always took advantage of those least able to defend themselves".<ref>{{cite book \|last1=Levy \|first1=Jacques E. \|title=Cesar Chavez: Autobiography of La Causa \|publisher=University of Minnesota Press}}</ref> He also embraced ideals about communal living, and saw the La Paz commune he established in California as a model for others to follow.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=238}}

	Chavez kept a large portrait of Gandhi in his office,{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=60\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2p=190}} alongside another of Martin Luther King and busts of both [[John F. Kennedy]] and [[Abraham Lincoln]].{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=190}} Influenced by the ideas of Gandhi and King, Chavez emphasized non-violent confrontation as a tactic.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=46\|2a1=Wells\|2y=2009\|2p=8}} He repeatedly referred to himself as the leader of the "non-violent Viet Cong", a reference to [[Viet Cong\|the Vietnamese Marxist-Leninist militia]] that the U.S. was combating in the Vietnam War.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=260}} He was interested not only in Gandhi's ideas on non-violence but also in the Indian's voluntary embrace of poverty, his use of fasting, and his ideas about community.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=157}} Fasting was important for Chavez.{{sfn\|Ospino\|2013\|p=410}} He saw it not as a tactic to pressure his opponents, but rather to motivate his supporters, keeping them focused on the cause and on avoiding violence.{{sfn\|Wells\|2009\|p=8}} He also saw it as a sign of solidarity with the suffering of the people.{{sfn\|Ospino\|2013\|p=411}} Chavez was also interested in Gandhi's ideas about sacrifice, noting that "I like the idea of sacrifice to do things. If they are done that way they are more lasting. If they cost more, then you will value them more."{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=157}}		Chavez kept a large portrait of [[Gandhi]] in his office,{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=60\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2p=190}} alongside another of Martin Luther King and busts of both [[John F. Kennedy]] and [[Abraham Lincoln]].{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=190}} Influenced by the ideas of Gandhi and King, Chavez emphasized non-violent confrontation as a tactic.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=46\|2a1=Wells\|2y=2009\|2p=8}} He repeatedly referred to himself as the leader of the "non-violent Viet Cong", a reference to [[Viet Cong\|the Vietnamese Marxist-Leninist militia]] that the U.S. was combating in the Vietnam War.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=260}} He was interested not only in Gandhi's ideas on non-violence but also in the Indian's voluntary embrace of poverty, his use of fasting, and his ideas about community.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=157}} Fasting was important for Chavez.{{sfn\|Ospino\|2013\|p=410}} He saw it not as a tactic to pressure his opponents, but rather to motivate his supporters, keeping them focused on the cause and on avoiding violence.{{sfn\|Wells\|2009\|p=8}} He also saw it as a sign of solidarity with the suffering of the people.{{sfn\|Ospino\|2013\|p=411}} Chavez was also interested in Gandhi's ideas about sacrifice, noting that "I like the idea of sacrifice to do things. If they are done that way they are more lasting. If they cost more, then you will value them more."{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=157}}

	Apart from Catholic social teaching, the movement of Chavez was also based on [[liberation theology]], emphasizing liberation of the poor and self-sacrifice in the pursuit of justice.<ref>{{cite journal \|doi=10.1177/0008429816654427e \|last=Pontoriero \|first=Eleanor \|year=2016 \|title=Book Review: The Political Spirituality of Cesar Chavez: Crossing Religious Borders \|journal=Studies in Religion/Sciences \|volume=45 \|issue=3 \|publisher=University of California Press \|page=446}}</ref> Liberation theology sought to centralize Catholic faith on the perspective and plight of the excluded, marginalized, poor and oppressed;<ref name="dalton_38">{{cite book \|title=The Moral Vision of Cesar Chavez \|first=Frederick John \|last=Dalton \|year=2003 \|publisher=Orbis Books \|isbn=1-57075-458-6 \|pages=38–39}}</ref> basic points of liberation theology was the belief that God speaks directly for and to the poor, and that socioeconomic systems that oppress the poor are morally unacceptable.<ref>{{cite journal \|page=41 \|title=César Chávez and the Secularization of an American Prophet of Social Reform \|url=https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1352&context=cmc_theses \|volume=346 \|journal=CMC Senior Theses \|year=2012 \|first=Chelsee Lynn \|last=Cox \|publisher=Claremont McKenna College}}</ref> [[Gustavo Gutierrez]], who provided much of the theoretical basis for liberation theology, stated that the "theology of liberation represents the right of the poor to think". Frederick John Dalton argues that Chavez was the reflection of liberation theology, writing: "The moral vision of Cesar Chavez is the moral vision of a Mexican-American migrant farm worker and labor organizer with no formal education beyond the eighth grade. It is the moral vision of a man who knew the indignities of being impoverished and excluded. A field laborer of Mexican descent, he experienced life as a nonperson, as little more than an agricultural implement, a cost to be minimized."<ref name="dalton_38"/> Similarly, Mark R. Day, a member of UFW, remarked that "in many ways we were practicing liberation theology in Delano in the late 1960s."<ref>{{cite book \|page=151 \|title=The Political Spirituality of Cesar Chavez: Crossing Religious Borders \|first=Luis D. \|last=León \|year=2015 \|publisher=University of California Press \|isbn=978-0-520-95948-4}}</ref>		Apart from Catholic social teaching, the movement of Chavez was also based on [[liberation theology]], emphasizing liberation of the poor and self-sacrifice in the pursuit of justice.<ref>{{cite journal \|doi=10.1177/0008429816654427e \|last=Pontoriero \|first=Eleanor \|year=2016 \|title=Book Review: The Political Spirituality of Cesar Chavez: Crossing Religious Borders \|journal=Studies in Religion/Sciences \|volume=45 \|issue=3 \|publisher=University of California Press \|page=446}}</ref> Liberation theology sought to centralize Catholic faith on the perspective and plight of the excluded, marginalized, poor and oppressed;<ref name="dalton_38">{{cite book \|title=The Moral Vision of Cesar Chavez \|first=Frederick John \|last=Dalton \|year=2003 \|publisher=Orbis Books \|isbn=1-57075-458-6 \|pages=38–39}}</ref> basic points of liberation theology was the belief that God speaks directly for and to the poor, and that socioeconomic systems that oppress the poor are morally unacceptable.<ref>{{cite journal \|page=41 \|title=César Chávez and the Secularization of an American Prophet of Social Reform \|url=https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1352&context=cmc_theses \|volume=346 \|journal=CMC Senior Theses \|year=2012 \|first=Chelsee Lynn \|last=Cox \|publisher=Claremont McKenna College}}</ref> [[Gustavo Gutierrez]], who provided much of the theoretical basis for liberation theology, stated that the "theology of liberation represents the right of the poor to think". Frederick John Dalton argues that Chavez was the reflection of liberation theology, writing: "The moral vision of Cesar Chavez is the moral vision of a Mexican-American migrant farm worker and labor organizer with no formal education beyond the eighth grade. It is the moral vision of a man who knew the indignities of being impoverished and excluded. A field laborer of Mexican descent, he experienced life as a nonperson, as little more than an agricultural implement, a cost to be minimized."<ref name="dalton_38"/> Similarly, Mark R. Day, a member of UFW, remarked that "in many ways we were practicing liberation theology in Delano in the late 1960s."<ref>{{cite book \|page=151 \|title=The Political Spirituality of Cesar Chavez: Crossing Religious Borders \|first=Luis D. \|last=León \|year=2015 \|publisher=University of California Press \|isbn=978-0-520-95948-4}}</ref>
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	==Reception and legacy==		==Reception and legacy==
	[[File:Portrait of Cesar Chavez by Manuel Gregorio Acosta, 1969.jpg\|thumb\|left\|An illustration of labor leader [[César Chávez]], by [[Manuel Gregorio Acosta]], was on the cover of ''[[Time (magazine)\|Time]]'', published July 4, 1969.\|alt=Illustration of labor leader César Chávez by Acosta, was on the cover of ''Time', published July 4, 1969.]]		[[File:Portrait of Cesar Chavez by Manuel Gregorio Acosta, 1969.jpg\|thumb\|left\|An illustration of labor leader [[César Chávez]], by [[Manuel Gregorio Acosta]], was on the cover of ''[[Time (magazine)\|Time]]'', published July 4, 1969.\|alt=Illustration of labor leader César Chávez by Acosta, was on the cover of ''Time'', published July 4, 1969.]]

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	[[Category:United Farm Workers people\|Cesar Chavez]]		[[Category:United Farm Workers people\|Cesar Chavez]]
	[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II]]		[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II]]
			[[Category:20th-century American trade unionists]]

imported>Exec8: image

2025-10-23T10:43:32Z

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← Previous revision		Revision as of 10:43, 23 October 2025
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	{{~~short~~ description\|American ~~farm worker, labor leader, and~~ civil rights activist (1927–1993)}}		{{Short description\|American civil rights activist (1927–1993)}}
	{{other uses}}		{{other uses}}
	{{pp-semi-indef}}		{{pp-semi-indef}}
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	[[File:Dolores Huerta (25854563002).jpg\|thumb\|right\|Dolores Huerta (pictured in 2016) was a key ally of Chavez's in his formation of the NFWA.]]		[[File:Dolores Huerta (25854563002).jpg\|thumb\|right\|Dolores Huerta (pictured in 2016) was a key ally of Chavez's in his formation of the NFWA.]]

	In April 1962, Chavez and his family moved to [[Delano, California]], an agricultural community in the southern San Joaquin Valley, where they rented a house on Kensington Street.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=31\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2pp=77, 79}} He was intent on forming a labor union for farm workers but, to conceal this aim, told people that he was simply conducting a census of farm workers to determine their needs.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=77}} He began devising the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), referring to it as a "movement" rather than a [[trade union]].{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1pp=31–32\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2pp=81–82}} He was aided in this project both by his wife and by [[Dolores Huerta]];{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=34\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2pp=80–81}} according to Pawel, Huerta became his "indispensable, lifelong ally".{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=91}} Other key supporters of his project were the Reverend Jim Drake and other members of the [[California Migrant Ministry]]; although as a Roman Catholic Chavez was initially suspicious of these [[Protestantism\|Protestant]] preachers, he came to view them as key allies.{{sfn\|Bruns\|2005\|p=35}}		In April 1962, Chavez and his family moved to [[Delano, California]], an agricultural community in the southern San Joaquin Valley, where they rented a house on Kensington Street.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=31\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2pp=77, 79}} He was intent on forming a labor union for farm workers but, to conceal this aim, told people that he was simply conducting a census of farm workers to determine their needs.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=77}} He began devising the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), referring to it as a "movement" rather than a [[trade union]].{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1pp=31–32\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2pp=81–82}} He was aided in this project both by his wife and by [[Dolores Huerta]];{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=34\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2pp=80–81}} according to Pawel, Huerta became his "indispensable, lifelong ally".{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=91}} Other key supporters of his project were the [[Jim Drake (labor organizer)\|Reverend Jim Drake]] and other members of the [[California Migrant Ministry]]; although as a Roman Catholic Chavez was initially suspicious of these [[Protestantism\|Protestant]] preachers, he came to view them as key allies.{{sfn\|Bruns\|2005\|p=35}}

	Chavez spent his days traveling around the [[San Joaquin Valley]], meeting with workers and encouraging them to join his association.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1pp=33–34\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2p=81}} At the time, he lived off a combination of unemployment benefit, his wife's wage as a farmworker, and donations from friends and sympathizers.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|pp=82–83}} On September 30, 1962, he formalized the Association at a convention in Fresno.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=34\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2pp=86–87}} There, delegates elected Chavez as the group's general-director.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=88}} They also agreed that, once the association had a life insurance policy up and running, members would start paying monthly dues of $3.50.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=35\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2p=88}} The group adopted the motto "viva la causa" ("long live the cause") and a flag featuring a black eagle on a red and white background.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=34\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2pp=88–89}} At the organization's constitutional convention held in Fresno in January 1963, Chavez was elected president, with Huerta, [[Julio Hernandez]], and [[Gilbert Padilla]] its vice presidents.{{sfn\|Bruns\|2005\|p=36}}		Chavez spent his days traveling around the [[San Joaquin Valley]], meeting with workers and encouraging them to join his association.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1pp=33–34\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2p=81}} At the time, he lived off a combination of unemployment benefit, his wife's wage as a farmworker, and donations from friends and sympathizers.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|pp=82–83}} On September 30, 1962, he formalized the Association at a convention in Fresno.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=34\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2pp=86–87}} There, delegates elected Chavez as the group's general-director.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=88}} They also agreed that, once the association had a life insurance policy up and running, members would start paying monthly dues of $3.50.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=35\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2p=88}} The group adopted the motto "viva la causa" ("long live the cause") and a flag featuring a black eagle on a red and white background.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=34\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2pp=88–89}} At the organization's constitutional convention held in Fresno in January 1963, Chavez was elected president, with Huerta, [[Julio Hernandez]], and [[Gilbert Padilla]] its vice presidents.{{sfn\|Bruns\|2005\|p=36}}
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	[[File:Phoenix-Santa Rita Hall-1962-1.JPG\|250px\|thumb\|right\|The Santa Rita Hall was used as a meeting place for a local Chicano group; Chavez undertook his Arizona fast there.]]		[[File:Phoenix-Santa Rita Hall-1962-1.JPG\|250px\|thumb\|right\|The Santa Rita Hall was used as a meeting place for a local Chicano group; Chavez undertook his Arizona fast there.]]

	Arizona became the first state to pass a bill that was designed to keep the UFW out of their state; this would criminalize boycotts and make union elections among farm-workers almost impossible.{{sfnm\|1a1=Street\|1y=1996\|1p=374\|2a1=Bruns\|2y=2005\|2p=77\|3a1=Pawel\|3y=2014\|3p=239}} In response, Chavez drove to Arizona and demanded a meeting with [[Governor of Arizona\|Governor]] [[Jack Williams (American politician)\|Jack Williams]], who refused.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=77\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2pp=239, 240}} They subsequently launched a campaign to gain a recall election to remove Williams from office.{{sfnm\|1a1=Street\|1y=1996\|1pp=374–375\|2a1=Bruns\|2y=2005\|2p=78\|3a1=Pawel\|3y=2014\|3p=241}} This started the UFW's first major farm-worker campaign outside California.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=239}} Farmworkers rallied outside Williams' office while Chavez embarked on a fast in the [[Santa Rita Center]], a hall used by a local [[Chicano]] group.{{sfnm\|1a1=Street\|1y=1996\|1p=375\|2a1=Bruns\|2y=2005\|2p=77\|3a1=Pawel\|3y=2014\|3p=240}}<ref name="Shaw, R. 2008 p.92">Shaw, R. (2008) ''Beyond the Fields: Cesar Chavez, the UFW, and the struggle for justice in the 21st century'' University of California Press, p. 92.</ref> On the nineteenth day of his fast, Chavez was hospitalized.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=241}} He then broke the fast at a memorial Mass on the anniversary of Robert Kennedy's death, where he was joined by the folk singer [[Joan Baez]].{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=7\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2pp=241–242}} It was during the Arizona campaign that the UFW started using the slogan "Si Se Puede" ("It Can be Done"), which subsequently became closely associated with it.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=78\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2p=241}}		Arizona became the first state to pass a bill that was designed to keep the UFW out of their state; this would criminalize boycotts and make union elections among farm-workers almost impossible.{{sfnm\|1a1=Street\|1y=1996\|1p=374\|2a1=Bruns\|2y=2005\|2p=77\|3a1=Pawel\|3y=2014\|3p=239}} In response, Chavez drove to Arizona and demanded a meeting with [[Governor of Arizona\|Governor]] [[Jack Williams (American politician)\|Jack Williams]], who refused.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=77\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2pp=239, 240}} They subsequently launched a campaign to gain a recall election to remove Williams from office.{{sfnm\|1a1=Street\|1y=1996\|1pp=374–375\|2a1=Bruns\|2y=2005\|2p=78\|3a1=Pawel\|3y=2014\|3p=241}} This started the UFW's first major farm-worker campaign outside California.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=239}} Farmworkers rallied outside Williams' office while Chavez embarked on a fast in the [[Santa Rita Center]], a hall used by a local [[Chicano]] group.{{sfnm\|1a1=Street\|1y=1996\|1p=375\|2a1=Bruns\|2y=2005\|2p=77\|3a1=Pawel\|3y=2014\|3p=240}}<ref name="Shaw, R. 2008 p.92">Shaw, R. (2008) ''Beyond the Fields: Cesar Chavez, the UFW, and the struggle for justice in the 21st century'' University of California Press, p. 92.</ref> On the nineteenth day of his fast, Chavez was hospitalized.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=241}} He then broke the fast at a memorial Mass on the anniversary of Robert Kennedy's death, where he was joined by the folk singer [[Joan Baez]].{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=7\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2pp=241–242}} It was during the Arizona campaign that the UFW started using the slogan "[[Si Se Puede]]" ("It Can be Done"), which subsequently became closely associated with it.{{sfnm\|1a1=Bruns\|1y=2005\|1p=78\|2a1=Pawel\|2y=2014\|2p=241}}

	Chavez increasingly pushed for the UFW to become a national organization, with a token presence being established in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Texas, and Florida.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=244}} Parts of the union expressed concern that it was now overstretching its resources.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=244}} Chavez also pushed for the [[California Migrant Ministry]], which supported the UFW, to transform into a [[National Farm Worker Ministry]] (NFWM), insisting that the UFW should have the power to veto decisions made by the NFWM.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=242}}		Chavez increasingly pushed for the UFW to become a national organization, with a token presence being established in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Texas, and Florida.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=244}} Parts of the union expressed concern that it was now overstretching its resources.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=244}} Chavez also pushed for the [[California Migrant Ministry]], which supported the UFW, to transform into a [[National Farm Worker Ministry]] (NFWM), insisting that the UFW should have the power to veto decisions made by the NFWM.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=242}}
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	Synanon provided the UFW with $100,000 worth of cars and materials;{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=389}} building links with Chavez's movement burnished Dederich's reputation with rich liberals who were among Synanon's core constituency.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|pp=354–355}} Dederich suggested that Synanon and the UFW establish a joint communal farm, and although the option was explored, it did not materialize.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|pp=255–356}} Following Dederich's advice, Chavez began grooming young people who had grown up in the movement to remain committed to him and his ideals.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=363}} He created a curriculum for them to follow, which included the Game.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=363}} Whereas Chavez had previously refused to accept government money, he now applied for over $500,000 in grants for a school and other projects.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|pp=363–364}} Formal celebrations and group rituals became an important part of life at La Paz,{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=360}} while Chavez also declared that on Saturday mornings all residents of La Paz should work in the vegetable and flower gardens to improve sociability.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=369}} A rule was passed that everyone at La Paz had to wear a UFW button at all times on penalty of a fine.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=371}} After attending a course in Los Angeles, Chavez began claiming that he could heal people by laying on his hands.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=387}}		Synanon provided the UFW with $100,000 worth of cars and materials;{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=389}} building links with Chavez's movement burnished Dederich's reputation with rich liberals who were among Synanon's core constituency.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|pp=354–355}} Dederich suggested that Synanon and the UFW establish a joint communal farm, and although the option was explored, it did not materialize.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|pp=255–356}} Following Dederich's advice, Chavez began grooming young people who had grown up in the movement to remain committed to him and his ideals.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=363}} He created a curriculum for them to follow, which included the Game.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=363}} Whereas Chavez had previously refused to accept government money, he now applied for over $500,000 in grants for a school and other projects.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|pp=363–364}} Formal celebrations and group rituals became an important part of life at La Paz,{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=360}} while Chavez also declared that on Saturday mornings all residents of La Paz should work in the vegetable and flower gardens to improve sociability.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=369}} A rule was passed that everyone at La Paz had to wear a UFW button at all times on penalty of a fine.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=371}} After attending a course in Los Angeles, Chavez began claiming that he could heal people by laying on his hands.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=387}}

	~~[[File:Ferdinand E. Marcos.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Chavez's support for the Filipino government of [[Ferdinand Marcos]] (pictured) brought strong criticism.]]~~

	In the field elections, the UFW was largely rebuffed by Filipino-American workers. Seeking to remedy this, in 1977 Chavez traveled to the Philippines as the guest of its president, [[Ferdinand Marcos]]. There, he was treated as a high-ranking dignitary, and received both an award from Marcos and an honorary doctorate from the [[Far Eastern University]] in [[Manila]].{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=367}}<ref>{{cite book \|title=Beyond the Fields: Cesar Chavez, the UFW, and the Struggle for Justice in the 21st Century \|last=Shaw \|first=Randy \|year=2008 \|publisher=University of California Press \|location=Los Angeles \|isbn=978-0-520-25107-6 \|page=253 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IWa8A9GwRd4C&q=Cesar%20Chavez%20%22Ferdinand%20Marcos%22&pg=PA253 \|access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book \|title=The Union of Their Dreams: Power, Hope, and Struggle in César Chávez's Farm Worker Movement \|last=Pawel \|first=Miriam \|year=2010 \|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA \|location=New York\|isbn=978-1-60819-099-7 \|page=233 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DmRyQiRP16YC&q=Cesar%20Chavez%20%22Ferdinand%20Marcos%22&pg=PA233 \|access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref> He then spoke to a reporter from ''[[The Washington Post]]'' where he spoke positively about Marcos' introduction of [[martial law]].{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=367}} This generated outcry in the U.S., especially among religious groups, who argued that Chavez was overlooking the human rights abuses taking place under Marcos' administration.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=368}} Chavez then organized an event on Delano for five senior Filipino government officially to speak to an assembled audience.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=368}} The incident eroded support among religious organizations, a key constituency for Chavez and the UFW.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=368}}		In the field elections, the UFW was largely rebuffed by Filipino-American workers. Seeking to remedy this, in 1977 Chavez traveled to the Philippines as the guest of its president, [[Ferdinand Marcos]]. There, he was treated as a high-ranking dignitary, and received both an award from Marcos and an honorary doctorate from the [[Far Eastern University]] in [[Manila]].{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=367}}<ref>{{cite book \|title=Beyond the Fields: Cesar Chavez, the UFW, and the Struggle for Justice in the 21st Century \|last=Shaw \|first=Randy \|year=2008 \|publisher=University of California Press \|location=Los Angeles \|isbn=978-0-520-25107-6 \|page=253 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IWa8A9GwRd4C&q=Cesar%20Chavez%20%22Ferdinand%20Marcos%22&pg=PA253 \|access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book \|title=The Union of Their Dreams: Power, Hope, and Struggle in César Chávez's Farm Worker Movement \|last=Pawel \|first=Miriam \|year=2010 \|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA \|location=New York\|isbn=978-1-60819-099-7 \|page=233 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DmRyQiRP16YC&q=Cesar%20Chavez%20%22Ferdinand%20Marcos%22&pg=PA233 \|access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref> He then spoke to a reporter from ''[[The Washington Post]]'' where he spoke positively about Marcos' introduction of [[martial law]].{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=367}} This generated outcry in the U.S., especially among religious groups, who argued that Chavez was overlooking the human rights abuses taking place under Marcos' administration.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=368}} Chavez then organized an event on Delano for five senior Filipino government officially to speak to an assembled audience.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=368}} The incident eroded support among religious organizations, a key constituency for Chavez and the UFW.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=368}}
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	}}		}}

	When Chavez returned home from his service in the military in 1948, he married his high school sweetheart, [[Helen Fabela Chávez\|Helen Fabela]]. The couple moved to [[San Jose, California]].<ref name="The Story of Cesar Chavez"/> With his wife, he had eight children: Fernando (b.1949), Sylvia (b.1950), Linda (b.1951), Eloise (b.1952), Anna (b.1953), Paul (b.1957), Elizabeth (b.1958), and Anthony (b.1958).{{sfn\|Bruns\|2005\|pp=13, 26}} Helen avoided the limelight, a trait which Chavez admired.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=146}} While he led the union, she focused on raising the children, cooking, and housekeeping.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|pp=146–147}} During the latter part of the 1970s, his infidelity with a range of women became common knowledge among senior UFW figures, who kept this knowledge quiet so as not to damage his reputation as a devoted [[Catholic Church\|Catholic]] family man.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=381}} After Helen read a love letter written to Chavez by another woman, she temporarily left La Paz and lived with one of her daughters in Delano.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|pp=375, 380}} Chavez's children resented the union and displayed little interest in it,{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=293}} although most ended up working for it.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=440}} Of these children, Chavez's eldest son, Fernando, was the only one to graduate college;{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=440}} Chavez's relationship with Fernando was strained, as he was frustrated with what he saw as his son's interest in becoming middle-class.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=192}}		When Chavez returned home from his service in the military in 1948, he married his high school sweetheart, [[Helen Fabela Chávez\|Helen Fabela]]. The couple moved to [[San Jose, California]].<ref name="The Story of Cesar Chavez"/> With his wife, he had eight children: Fernando (b.1949), Sylvia (b.1950), Linda (b.1951), Eloise (b.1952), Anna (b.1953), Paul (b.1957), Elizabeth (b.1958), and Anthony (b.1958).{{sfn\|Bruns\|2005\|pp=13, 26}} Helen avoided the limelight, a trait which Chavez admired.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=146}} While he led the union, she focused on raising the children, cooking, and housekeeping.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|pp=146–147}} During the latter part of the 1970s, his infidelity with a range of women became common knowledge among senior UFW figures, who kept this knowledge quiet so as not to damage his reputation as a devoted [[Catholic Church\|Catholic]] family man.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=381}} After Helen read a love letter written to Chavez by another woman, she temporarily left La Paz and lived with one of her daughters in Delano.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|pp=375, 380}} Chavez's children resented the union and displayed little interest in it,{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=293}} although most ended up working for it.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=440}} Of these children, Chavez's eldest son, Fernando, was the only one to graduate from college;{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=440}} Chavez's relationship with Fernando was strained, as he was frustrated with what he saw as his son's interest in becoming middle-class.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=192}}

	Chavez expressed traditional views on gender roles and was little influenced by the [[second wave feminism]] that was contemporary with his activism.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=146}} In his movement, men took almost all the senior roles, with women largely being confined to background roles as secretaries, nurses, or in child-care; the main exception was Huerta.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=146}} Chavez had a close working relationship with Huerta. They became mutually dependent, and although she did not hesitate to raise complaints with him, she also usually deferred to him.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=92}} During their working relationship, they often argued,{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=257}} something which intensified in the latter part of the 1970s.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=358}} Huerta stated that she was Chavez's "whipping girl" when he was under pressure.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=409}} He never had close friendships outside of his family, believing that friendships distracted from his political activism.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=180}}		Chavez expressed traditional views on gender roles and was little influenced by the [[second wave feminism]] that was contemporary with his activism.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=146}} In his movement, men took almost all the senior roles, with women largely being confined to background roles as secretaries, nurses, or in child-care; the main exception was Huerta.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=146}} Chavez had a close working relationship with Huerta. They became mutually dependent, and although she did not hesitate to raise complaints with him, she also usually deferred to him.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=92}} During their working relationship, they often argued,{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=257}} something which intensified in the latter part of the 1970s.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=358}} Huerta stated that she was Chavez's "whipping girl" when he was under pressure.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=409}} He never had close friendships outside of his family, believing that friendships distracted from his political activism.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=180}}
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	[[Category:Activists for Hispanic and Latino American civil rights]]		[[Category:Activists for Hispanic and Latino American civil rights]]
	[[Category:American anti–Vietnam War activists]]		[[Category:American anti–Vietnam War activists]]
	~~[[Category:American civil rights activists]]~~
	[[Category:American founders]]		[[Category:American founders]]
	[[Category:American human rights activists]]		[[Category:American human rights activists]]
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	[[Category:Roman Catholic activists]]		[[Category:Roman Catholic activists]]
	[[Category:Trade unionists from Arizona]]		[[Category:Trade unionists from Arizona]]
			[[Category:Civil rights activists from Arizona]]
	[[Category:Trade unionists from California]]		[[Category:Trade unionists from California]]
	[[Category:United Farm Workers people\|Cesar Chavez]]		[[Category:United Farm Workers people\|Cesar Chavez]]
	[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II]]		[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II]]

imported>GreenC bot: Rescued 1 archive link. Wayback Medic 2.5 per WP:URLREQ#pbs.org

2025-06-10T04:20:30Z

Rescued 1 archive link. Wayback Medic 2.5 per WP:URLREQ#pbs.org

← Previous revision		Revision as of 04:20, 10 June 2025
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	[[File:Cesar chavez visita a colegio cesar chavez.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Chavez visiting [[Colegio Cesar Chavez]]]]		[[File:Cesar chavez visita a colegio cesar chavez.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Chavez visiting [[Colegio Cesar Chavez]]]]

	Bruns described Chavez as combining a "remarkable tenacity with a sense of serenity".{{sfn\|Bruns\|2005\|p=66}} A tireless worker, he was known for often working 18 hours a day;{{sfn\|Street\|1996\|p=363}} he used to start his working day at 3.30am and would often continue working until 10pm.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=278}} He stated that "I just sleep and eat and work. I do nothing else."{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=341}} Pawel stated that as a leader, Chavez was both "charming, attentive, and humble" as well as being "single-minded, demanding, and ruthless".{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|pp=143–144}} When he wanted to criticize one of his volunteers or staff members he usually did so in private but on occasion could berate them in a public confrontation.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=93}}		Bruns described Chavez as combining a "remarkable tenacity with a sense of serenity".{{sfn\|Bruns\|2005\|p=66}} A tireless worker, he was known for often working 18 hours a day;{{sfn\|Street\|1996\|p=363}} he used to start his working day at 3:30am and would often continue working until 10pm.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=278}} He stated that "I just sleep and eat and work. I do nothing else."{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=341}} Pawel stated that as a leader, Chavez was both "charming, attentive, and humble" as well as being "single-minded, demanding, and ruthless".{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|pp=143–144}} When he wanted to criticize one of his volunteers or staff members he usually did so in private but on occasion could berate them in a public confrontation.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=93}}
	He described his own life's work as a crusade against injustice,{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=2}} and displayed a commitment to self-sacrifice.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=50}} Pawel thought that "Chavez thrived on the power to help people and the way that made him feel".{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=39}} Ross, who was a friend and colleague of Chavez's for many years, noted that "He would do in thirty minutes what it would take me or somebody else thirty days".{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=136}} Pawel noted that Chavez was "openly ruthless" in his "drive to be the one and only farm labor leader".{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=247}} He was stubborn and would rarely back down once he had taken a stance.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=256}} He would not accept criticism of himself, but would deflect it.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=252}}		He described his own life's work as a crusade against injustice,{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=2}} and displayed a commitment to self-sacrifice.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=50}} Pawel thought that "Chavez thrived on the power to help people and the way that made him feel".{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=39}} Ross, who was a friend and colleague of Chavez's for many years, noted that "He would do in thirty minutes what it would take me or somebody else thirty days".{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=136}} Pawel noted that Chavez was "openly ruthless" in his "drive to be the one and only farm labor leader".{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=247}} He was stubborn and would rarely back down once he had taken a stance.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=256}} He would not accept criticism of himself, but would deflect it.{{sfn\|Pawel\|2014\|p=252}}

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	* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170223071842/http://www.chavezfoundation.org/pdf/LATimes5PartSeries.pdf Five Part Series on Cesar Chavez], ''Los Angeles Times'', Kids' Reading Room Classic, October 2000.		* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170223071842/http://www.chavezfoundation.org/pdf/LATimes5PartSeries.pdf Five Part Series on Cesar Chavez], ''Los Angeles Times'', Kids' Reading Room Classic, October 2000.
	* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111206061945/http://hnn.us/node/107517 "The study of history demands nuanced thinking", Miriam Pawel] from the ''Austin American-Statesman'', 2009/7/17. A caution that histories of Chavez and the UFW should not be hagiography, nor be suppressed, but taught "[[wikt:warts and all]]"		* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111206061945/http://hnn.us/node/107517 "The study of history demands nuanced thinking", Miriam Pawel] from the ''Austin American-Statesman'', 2009/7/17. A caution that histories of Chavez and the UFW should not be hagiography, nor be suppressed, but taught "[[wikt:warts and all]]"
	* [https://~~www~~.pbs.org/itvs/fightfields/index.html ''The Fight in the Fields: Cesar Chavez and the Farmworker's Struggle''], PBS Documentary.		* [https://web.archive.org/web/19990218072606/http://www2.pbs.org/itvs/fightfields/index.html ''The Fight in the Fields: Cesar Chavez and the Farmworker's Struggle''], PBS Documentary.
	* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091114163728/http://www.farmworkermovement.org/index.php Farmworker Movement Documentation Project]		* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091114163728/http://www.farmworkermovement.org/index.php Farmworker Movement Documentation Project]
	* [https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/24/obituaries/cesar-chavez-66-organizer-of-union-for-migrants-dies.html ''The New York Times'' obituary, April 24, 1993]		* [https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/24/obituaries/cesar-chavez-66-organizer-of-union-for-migrants-dies.html ''The New York Times'' obituary, April 24, 1993]

imported>A. Randomdude0000: /* External links */ alphabetical placement

2025-05-31T03:09:08Z

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