Cesar Chavez Non Violence Essay

Throughout much of the civil rights movement, protesters across America seized this time of opportunity to ameliorate change. In doing so, they fought for justice and expanded their righteousness as citizens. It is certain that in movements like these, people are met with violence. Activist Cesar Chavez provided support for the farm workers rights. This influence is portrayed in his article supporting nonviolence. Nonviolence, he argues, is more powerful than violence and has the ability to create change. At the outset of the article, Chavez appeals to Martin Luther King Jr. King shows use of nonviolent protest which Chavez believes “inspired much of the philosophy and strategy” (Chavez, 3-4) of the farm workers movement he advocates for. Chavez discusses social activism through King’s legacy without being egregious. By

With the repetition of “we”, he is advocating a group. This creates unity and brings people to justify over not just themselves, but the group as a whole. Since Chavez develops an audience that is dedicated to helping the poor, this use is significant in wanting liberty as a whole, for the farmers are the poor because they work with bad conditions some feel is indecorous. They need nonviolence the most, to change. Chavez also discusses violence as insignificant by contrasting between violence and nonviolence. It is possible that some people could think of nonviolence “as a strategy or tactic” (Chavez, 34) which could lead to violence. Chavez emphasizes this as being insignificant and instead believes we should “balance the strategy with a clear understanding of what we are doing” (Chavez, 35-36) because it will demonstrate a stronger development of nonviolence, which ultimately strengthens change. Chavez uses sligh imagery to let the audience know they can feel this and become stronger if they listened. Thus, Chavez demonstrating the use of nonviolent resistance as