1. How did Cesar Chavez personally influence your life? How did this translate to the community?
"I worked for the farm workers in 1973 and 1974 and the beginning of '76, so I learned the real nut and bolts of organizing through my work with them. I really learned the value of the importance of the farm workers union. They provide the fruits and vegetables for all of us, and if there was no justice for farm workers, there wasn't going to be any justice for the rest of us. That's what I learned from Cesar. He had a great impact on my life- both personally and professionally.
2. What aspect of Chavez's work do you believe should be remembered and incorporated within society?
"There are couple of things. One, the need for constant efforts to create social justice and a more perfect society, a better society for all people. These are the people who work everyday and provide for others. The other thing I think of Cesar's lasting legacy is that he gave so much and trained a whole generation of activists and organizers. The best example is the most recent Obama Campaign of 2008 and 2012. Many of the people who worked in those campaigns were influenced and trained by Cesar Chavez."
The Obama campaign slogan "Yes We Can" also stemmed from the motto of the United Farm Workers.
"Yes, the whole Si, Se Puede approach that came out of the role farm workers played in changing society was used during the election as well."
3. What opposition did the UFW face and what was the reason behind such motives? Is this still an issue faced by the union today?
"Opposition came from growers who simply did not want to recognize that the people whom they employed provided a valuable service for them. Some of the resistance grew out of a racist attitude because the thinking was that these Latino farm workers did not deserve rights. The second opposition that came was because farm workers began to get the kind of rights that all working Americans had, and that's what had an impact on workers all across the country."
Thank you for your time. We truly appreciate the responses.
"Glad I could help. Good luck on your project."
"I worked for the farm workers in 1973 and 1974 and the beginning of '76, so I learned the real nut and bolts of organizing through my work with them. I really learned the value of the importance of the farm workers union. They provide the fruits and vegetables for all of us, and if there was no justice for farm workers, there wasn't going to be any justice for the rest of us. That's what I learned from Cesar. He had a great impact on my life- both personally and professionally.
2. What aspect of Chavez's work do you believe should be remembered and incorporated within society?
"There are couple of things. One, the need for constant efforts to create social justice and a more perfect society, a better society for all people. These are the people who work everyday and provide for others. The other thing I think of Cesar's lasting legacy is that he gave so much and trained a whole generation of activists and organizers. The best example is the most recent Obama Campaign of 2008 and 2012. Many of the people who worked in those campaigns were influenced and trained by Cesar Chavez."
The Obama campaign slogan "Yes We Can" also stemmed from the motto of the United Farm Workers.
"Yes, the whole Si, Se Puede approach that came out of the role farm workers played in changing society was used during the election as well."
3. What opposition did the UFW face and what was the reason behind such motives? Is this still an issue faced by the union today?
"Opposition came from growers who simply did not want to recognize that the people whom they employed provided a valuable service for them. Some of the resistance grew out of a racist attitude because the thinking was that these Latino farm workers did not deserve rights. The second opposition that came was because farm workers began to get the kind of rights that all working Americans had, and that's what had an impact on workers all across the country."
Thank you for your time. We truly appreciate the responses.
"Glad I could help. Good luck on your project."