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Essay / The Life and Work of Cesar Chavez
Today, Cesar Chavez is known as a civil rights leader who defended the privileges of migrant workers in America and had a major impact on current agricultural policy. Chavez was part of agricultural slavery in the United States and fought for what he and other migrant workers believed was right. Many of his peers agreed that they deserved much more in return for their work, and Chavez and his supporters unionized to start a revolution to make their voices heard. Chavez and the unions and organizations he helped create are known for their dedication to nonviolence. These civil tactics helped build understanding between immigrant workers and their economy, which would lead to more equity within agricultural employment. Without Cesar Chavez, modern civil rights would be very different from what we know today. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"?Get the original essay Cesar Chavez was born in the farming town of Yuma, Arizona, just near the Mexican border, where many immigrants settled. went to look for work in the fields. Growing up, Chavez's family owned a small ranch that was lost during the Great Depression. “Issues of ethnicity and citizenship have complicated all members of the Chavez family. » (Carnes, 5) His family also lost their home and, desperate for income, Chavez's parents realized they had to go to California and work in the fields to support their family and start a new life. Cesar Chavez and his family worked for years in the fields of California trying to make a living. As a teenager, César found it necessary to drop out of school to become a full-time field worker, in order to relieve his mother. After four years in the field, Cesar Chavez decided to join the United States Navy. His time in the military allowed him to travel the world and see things from a new and broader perspective. Chavez, however, ended up resigning after two years and considered it the worst period of his life. When he returned to the fields, Chávez tried to convince migrant workers to stand up for their beliefs and register to vote so they could express themselves. “Cesar Chavez knew their struggles personally. (Grossman, 3) Cesar Chavez encouraged migrant workers to unionize and fight for their freedom peacefully in order to achieve results. His encouragement instilled hope in the minds of migrant workers that together they can make a difference and their voices can be heard. Cesar Chavez gradually gained followers who shared many of his beliefs, which helped him increase his popularity and thus gain power. As Chávez became more powerful, he began to encourage people to do something about these problems and launched massive strikes against large agricultural companies. “From the start of the strike, Chávez emphasized the importance of non-violence in his strategy.” (Garcia, 46) Cesar Chávez and the many organizations that supported his ideals gained supporters over time until an entire revolution had begun. Many of the migrant workers on the ground were Catholic, as was Cesar Chavez. So he used this unity to his advantage, making it one of his tactics to expand his power. “Chavez consciously integrated the Catholic faith into his movement. In doing so, he endowed the union with a strong sense of collective identity. (Prouty, 23 years old) Sharehis religious beliefs with his group of followers gave Chávez the opportunity to use religion to support his views in favor of human equality and peace. “Chavez’s Catholic faith and the writings of his hero, Gandhi, transformed the agricultural union leader into a fervent champion of nonviolence” (Martin, 748). Chavez incorporated prayer into some of his rallies and associated himself with bishops of the Catholic Church, which raised his credibility and trustworthiness. Cesar Chavez helped organize the Community Service Organization in 1952 which brought together Latin Americans seeking rights and freedom. He then founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1962. These organizations eventually united to fight agricultural standards in California together, leading to improved conditions for workers for many years. Chávez, who organized farmworkers to protest low wages and rent increases in migrant worker camps, joined other organizations in 1965 to support a strike against Delano grape growers. Organized by the Filipino workers of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), the strike was also supported by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). (Garcia, 1) Chávez and his large group of supporters won many other small battles that would soon create an entire revolution. All manifestations of this uprising were peaceful, such as hunger strikes and peaceful demonstrations. The impact Cesar made in California was much needed at a time when many migrant families were struggling with extreme poverty. “Chavez became the first person to successfully organize farmworkers in California. » (Prouty, 30) Many people emigrated to America for work in the early 1900s, and farming was a very labor-intensive career that always seemed to have opportunities, because the crops were constantly increasing. With a growing demand for field workers, their days became longer and harder, but as more migrants came to work in the United States, their wages fell as well. This combination created a very one-sided economy in favor of American farmers who abused these migrants. Cesar Chavez did everything in his power to open the eyes of these workers to the unjust standards under which they worked so that they would join him in seeking justice. News of Cesar Chavez's revolts spread across the country, inspiring migrant workers in other parts of the country. the United States to follow his tactics and defend their freedom. In states like Texas and Ohio, which also have a lot of agricultural labor, many similar unions have formed and migrant workers have fought the same battle that Chavez and his organizations launched on the West Coast. Chávez brought attention to his cause through boycotts, marches and hunger strikes. Chavez's tactics worked so well because they were nonviolent and tailored to his audience. “The influence of Chavez and his union continues to extend far beyond the fields. They are credited with inspiring generations of Latinos and other Americans to social and political activism.” (Martin, 750) Chavez's influence along with that of his organizations gave hope to so many American workers in the 1900s that revolutions broke out across the United States. One of the largest and most successful strikes led by Cesar.