Students celebrate life of Cesar Chavez
Many are thrilled to receive an extra day off from school to get a head start on their spring vacation, but this Friday is not just another day off. It’s set aside to honor a man who changed the lives of farm workers.
César E. Chávez co-founded the United Farm Workers, a union that aimed to get laws set in place so that farm workers would not be abused.
Workers were paid very little, and simple things such as water and restroom breaks were prohibited. These conditions resulted in many illnesses and deaths of people who were willing to work hard in order to have better lives for themselves and their children.
Norma Lara, a nursing and Chicano and Latin American Studies major, is appreciative of the dedication Chávez had to improving the lives of farm workers.
Her parents were farm workers when she was young, and her grandparents were a part of the Bracero Program, which allowed Mexican farm workers to work in the fields of this country.
“I got to meet César Chávez when I was little,â€? Lara said. “It didn’t seem significant at the moment, but I learned that he was an extraordinary man and that his movement was significant because it’s where I came from.â€?
Sarina De La Rosa, a sociology and Chicano and Latin American Studies major and MEChA member, said Chavez was a man who taught others that they did not have to be taken advantage of.
“He was a voice for those that were afraid to have a voice,â€? De La Rosa said.
He also inspired the youth to get an education so that they would not have to experience what their parents did.
“César Chávez opened the door for a lot of students to go to school and go beyond the fields,â€? De La Rosa said.
The activities that will be held in honor of Chavez include poetry readings, art exhibits and various student presentations.
Wednesday’s “Flor y Canto Night: ‘When Dreams Become Arte,’â€? includes poetry and an art exhibit put on by Fresno State students.
A large celebration will be held Thursday that includes entertainment, an altar display, a garlanding ceremony and the announcement of the poetry and essay contest winners.
Friday, some students will be traveling to the National Chávez Center to visit Chávez burial site.
Ambar Alvarez, Trabajadores de la Raza president, is excited about the turnout for these events.
“I have a deep appreciation for what he’s done,â€? Alvarez said. “I admire the strength and courage it took for him to do that and I’m glad to give him the celebration he deserves.â€?
Related Content
A verified e-mail address is required to post a comment.
Views expressed in the comments section are not representative of The Collegian unless so specified. Comments must be approved by a moderator before they are published. Comments that are inflammatory, profane, libelous and/or posted under a false name may be removed at the discretion of The Collegian. Comments may be used in the print edition of the newspaper. Be sure to pick up next Friday's issue of The Collegian for featured comments.
75 Responses to Students celebrate life of Cesar Chavez
Leave a Reply
Connect with us »
Recent Posts »
- Legalizing same-sex marriage gets step closer
- Eighth-inning comeback vaults ‘Dogs past alumni
- Daughter of iconic Mexican painter, muralist visits campus
- Fun ideas on a budget for that special someone on Valentine’s Day
- Notes & Asides, 2/13/12
- Fast Forward [comic]
- Fresno State Softball vs. University of Toledo Rockets [video]
- ASI prepares recommendations for Task Force
- Bulldogs run north
- Campaign to help premature babies asks for students help
- Researchers seek alternative to ozone depleting pesticide; collaboration key to success
- Jimmy Collier: activist, musician
Senor Santoyo,
That’s all you have? An insult instead of a logical or sensicle argument. And you have a college degree already? Man, that scholarship went to waste.
Dee
Pete,
What are you, Little Cesar Chavez’s best pal? What information about his life do you know that we are not privy to or worthy of comprehending? Illegal immigrants, like any other population of people, are out to better their own situation. Bully for them if they are “feeding America” in the process of improving their own and their family’s situation. The ones who should be locked up are the farm owners and CEO’s of companies that are complicit in paying these people slave wages and ruining any productive and wise policy to enforce our border protections. No illegal immigrant amnesty or activist group holds the corporate world accountable for their treatment of immigrant labor. What’s up with the religion thing, too. Why does this Mexican-American population get such a boner for an oppressive religion like Roman-Catholicism. The picture of the Aztec with the Virgin Mary doesn’t really add up………………..i’ve done the math.
Pete,
What are you, Little Cesar Chavez’s best pal? What information about his life do you know that we are not privy to or worthy of comprehending? Illegal immigrants, like any other population of people, are out to better their own situation. Bully for them if they are “feeding America” in the process of improving their own and their family’s situation. The ones who should be locked up are the farm owners and CEO’s of companies that are complicit in paying these people slave wages and ruining any productive and wise policy to enforce our border protections. No illegal immigrant amnesty or activist group holds the corporate world accountable for their treatment of immigrant labor. What’s up with the religion thing, too. Why does this Mexican-American population get such a boner for an oppressive religion like Roman-Catholicism. The picture of the Aztec with the Virgin Mary doesn’t really add up………………..i’ve done the math.
Pete,
What are you, Little Cesar Chavez’s best pal? What information about his life do you know that we are not privy to or worthy of comprehending? Illegal immigrants, like any other population of people, are out to better their own situation. Bully for them if they are “feeding America” in the process of improving their own and their family’s situation. The ones who should be locked up are the farm owners and CEO’s of companies that are complicit in paying these people slave wages and ruining any productive and wise policy to enforce our border protections. No illegal immigrant amnesty or activist group holds the corporate world accountable for their treatment of immigrant labor. What’s up with the religion thing, too. Why does this Mexican-American population get such a boner for an oppressive religion like Roman-Catholicism. The picture of the Aztec with the Virgin Mary doesn’t really add up………………..i’ve done the math.
Mike Greyson is an arse!
Mike Greyson is an arse!
Mike Greyson is an arse!
In response to the article, I am pleased that such a short article can spark discourse regardless of the content of a couple of the responses. As a granddaughter and daughter of Farm Workers who have labored on both sides of American soil what Cesar did is Honorable and deserving of a State holiday (Mexico is North America and on the American continent).
Anisha D. Seals states “Many are thrilled…”, therefore you might either find yourself in the minority public opinion or the majority. Everyone has a right to believe whatever they have been taught or haven’t. La Lucha Del Campesino is something dear to my heart, in any part of the world the struggle is the same. Working with your hands, laboring the Tierra is honorable and therefore any man or woman who stands up against the oppression of campesinos, who fights for dignified living and working conditions, is Honorable. Cesar was an ordinary man who showed us that we can do extraordinary things (labor contracts, living wages, water breaks, bathroom breaks, environmental justice etc.).
We are all part of the human race, we have our differences of opinion, and we have our own ways of representing life…I would like to say that “Life without those who are different is empty and damns you to stagnation”.
Paz, Justicia y Libertad. Liberty and Justice for ALL!
In response to the article, I am pleased that such a short article can spark discourse regardless of the content of a couple of the responses. As a granddaughter and daughter of Farm Workers who have labored on both sides of American soil what Cesar did is Honorable and deserving of a State holiday (Mexico is North America and on the American continent).
Anisha D. Seals states “Many are thrilled…”, therefore you might either find yourself in the minority public opinion or the majority. Everyone has a right to believe whatever they have been taught or haven’t. La Lucha Del Campesino is something dear to my heart, in any part of the world the struggle is the same. Working with your hands, laboring the Tierra is honorable and therefore any man or woman who stands up against the oppression of campesinos, who fights for dignified living and working conditions, is Honorable. Cesar was an ordinary man who showed us that we can do extraordinary things (labor contracts, living wages, water breaks, bathroom breaks, environmental justice etc.).
We are all part of the human race, we have our differences of opinion, and we have our own ways of representing life…I would like to say that “Life without those who are different is empty and damns you to stagnation”.
Paz, Justicia y Libertad. Liberty and Justice for ALL!
In response to the article, I am pleased that such a short article can spark discourse regardless of the content of a couple of the responses. As a granddaughter and daughter of Farm Workers who have labored on both sides of American soil what Cesar did is Honorable and deserving of a State holiday (Mexico is North America and on the American continent).
Anisha D. Seals states “Many are thrilled…�, therefore you might either find yourself in the minority public opinion or the majority. Everyone has a right to believe whatever they have been taught or haven’t. La Lucha Del Campesino is something dear to my heart, in any part of the world the struggle is the same. Working with your hands, laboring the Tierra is honorable and therefore any man or woman who stands up against the oppression of campesinos, who fights for dignified living and working conditions, is Honorable. Cesar was an ordinary man who showed us that we can do extraordinary things (labor contracts, living wages, water breaks, bathroom breaks, environmental justice etc.).
We are all part of the human race, we have our differences of opinion, and we have our own ways of representing life…I would like to say that “Life without those who are different is empty and damns you to stagnation�.
Paz, Justicia y Libertad. Liberty and Justice for ALL!
And Norma,
he had thugs attack workers who did not join up with his farmworker’s union. He may embody certain American ideals——in other areas he was a poor example of an American hero. Yes, the earliest farmworkers were treated like crap. But to violently attack a man for trying to earn a dollar is not the way to initiate change.
And Norma,
he had thugs attack workers who did not join up with his farmworker’s union. He may embody certain American ideals——in other areas he was a poor example of an American hero. Yes, the earliest farmworkers were treated like crap. But to violently attack a man for trying to earn a dollar is not the way to initiate change.
And Norma,
he had thugs attack workers who did not join up with his farmworker’s union. He may embody certain American ideals——in other areas he was a poor example of an American hero. Yes, the earliest farmworkers were treated like crap. But to violently attack a man for trying to earn a dollar is not the way to initiate change.
The life of any man or woman is debatable and that includes leaders and heros. You have accused Cesar of having “Thugs” attack workers who did not join his union.
Cesar himself spoke out against these violent actions or threats to these workers, and blaming one man for actions that were taken by some are not validated.
And for “American hero or American ideals” you speak about, what he fought for is not exclusive to U.S citizens, these are human ideals to live in Justice and in Peace for all and not for some.
Si Se Puede!
The life of any man or woman is debatable and that includes leaders and heros. You have accused Cesar of having “Thugs” attack workers who did not join his union.
Cesar himself spoke out against these violent actions or threats to these workers, and blaming one man for actions that were taken by some are not validated.
And for “American hero or American ideals” you speak about, what he fought for is not exclusive to U.S citizens, these are human ideals to live in Justice and in Peace for all and not for some.
Si Se Puede!
The life of any man or woman is debatable and that includes leaders and heros. You have accused Cesar of having “Thugs” attack workers who did not join his union.
Cesar himself spoke out against these violent actions or threats to these workers, and blaming one man for actions that were taken by some are not validated.
And for “American hero or American ideals” you speak about, what he fought for is not exclusive to U.S citizens, these are human ideals to live in Justice and in Peace for all and not for some.
Si Se Puede!
You’re sorely mistaken, Lara.
Tu no puede!!!
You’re sorely mistaken, Lara.
Tu no puede!!!
You’re sorely mistaken, Lara.
Tu no puede!!!
Goddamn Cinco De Mayo!!! July 4th is a one day celebration. When did Mexican Independence Day, Cesar’s Dia, Dia De Los Muertos, & Cinco De Mayo become week-long events? Multiculturalism is great…..but this ain’t it. Force feeding us this Mexican Heritage gobbledegook is getting to the point of absurd. Naming St. Patrick’s Day “San Patrico’s Dia” was hilarious though.
Goddamn Cinco De Mayo!!! July 4th is a one day celebration. When did Mexican Independence Day, Cesar’s Dia, Dia De Los Muertos, & Cinco De Mayo become week-long events? Multiculturalism is great…..but this ain’t it. Force feeding us this Mexican Heritage gobbledegook is getting to the point of absurd. Naming St. Patrick’s Day “San Patrico’s Dia” was hilarious though.
Goddamn Cinco De Mayo!!! July 4th is a one day celebration. When did Mexican Independence Day, Cesar’s Dia, Dia De Los Muertos, & Cinco De Mayo become week-long events? Multiculturalism is great…..but this ain’t it. Force feeding us this Mexican Heritage gobbledegook is getting to the point of absurd. Naming St. Patrick’s Day “San Patrico’s Dia” was hilarious though.
@ Nicolas Santoyo
Che Guevara killed people without trials, he was an arbitrary dangerous criminal and he was one of the most despicable persons hat has ever lived. He was a failed version of a dictator because he was stupid, arbitrary and murderous. He was a thrill seeking murderer. What have you to say to the widows and fatherless children whose working father were shot by Che without trial? Che is a symbol of hate, failure and youthful moronacy. Musicians wear his shirt, and they don’t even know that Che would have shot them for this. Che was so bad even Castro, another dictator criminal traitor to freedom marginalized Che.
Che was a
- mass-murderer
- shunned by the Church for his murderous ways
- hated and feared
- unsuccessful in his stewardships in Cuba and abroad
- aggressive against individual liberty and freedom
Santoyo, if you keep this love for Che up, one day you might get jumped by people who are emotionally motivated enough to beat the insulting, disgusting love of Che right out of you.
@ Nicolas Santoyo
Che Guevara killed people without trials, he was an arbitrary dangerous criminal and he was one of the most despicable persons hat has ever lived. He was a failed version of a dictator because he was stupid, arbitrary and murderous. He was a thrill seeking murderer. What have you to say to the widows and fatherless children whose working father were shot by Che without trial? Che is a symbol of hate, failure and youthful moronacy. Musicians wear his shirt, and they don’t even know that Che would have shot them for this. Che was so bad even Castro, another dictator criminal traitor to freedom marginalized Che.
Che was a
- mass-murderer
- shunned by the Church for his murderous ways
- hated and feared
- unsuccessful in his stewardships in Cuba and abroad
- aggressive against individual liberty and freedom
Santoyo, if you keep this love for Che up, one day you might get jumped by people who are emotionally motivated enough to beat the insulting, disgusting love of Che right out of you.
@ Nicolas Santoyo
Che Guevara killed people without trials, he was an arbitrary dangerous criminal and he was one of the most despicable persons hat has ever lived. He was a failed version of a dictator because he was stupid, arbitrary and murderous. He was a thrill seeking murderer. What have you to say to the widows and fatherless children whose working father were shot by Che without trial? Che is a symbol of hate, failure and youthful moronacy. Musicians wear his shirt, and they don’t even know that Che would have shot them for this. Che was so bad even Castro, another dictator criminal traitor to freedom marginalized Che.
Che was a
- mass-murderer
- shunned by the Church for his murderous ways
- hated and feared
- unsuccessful in his stewardships in Cuba and abroad
- aggressive against individual liberty and freedom
Santoyo, if you keep this love for Che up, one day you might get jumped by people who are emotionally motivated enough to beat the insulting, disgusting love of Che right out of you.