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Cesar Chavez in civil rights movement
Cesar Chavez in civil rights movement
Cesar Chavez in civil rights movement
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The reflection writing assignment for the movie titled “Cesars Last Fast” was delightful experience. In this reflection paper, I will discuss the main theme of the presentation film along with some highlights, the importance of the main character Cesar Chavez’s story, and some advocacy strategies he displayed as he went about the organization of comforting the issues for farm workers. Also, I will discuss how this issue is still relevant today, and how I can how I can begin to advocate. In addition, in this reflection paper I will discuss how I can learn some of the strategies used by Cesar Chavez into my own advocacy and efforts towards community building. At the conclusion of this reflection I will to have a competent understanding of the …show more content…
dedication and implementation of advocacy efforts that can uplift communities. The documentary “Cesars Last Fast” was written and directed by Richard Ray Perez and Lorena Parlee, released in 2014.
The documentary was written to showcase the Cesar Chavez’s personal conviction and dedication to improving farm worker rights. The documentary features raw footage of Cesar Chavez’s water only hunger fast in which he did for 36 days. Chavez decided to do this fast in order to shift attention towards the horrendous effects pesticide use has on farm workers, their families and communities. During this time period, there was no scientific proof of the chemical effects that pesticide use on crops had on people; many believed the effects connected to birth defects and cancer. In particular, cancer clusters began to form in which had negative health effects on children in the area, and yet, Chavez still advocated.
The documentary starts off by showing raw footage of Ceaser Chavez’s protest; this footage showed the challenges Chavez and his supporters faced. For instance, the footage showed police brutality during their marches. Viewing this only began to trigger thoughts about its resemblance to civil rights marches, such as the Selma march. Chavez’s hunger strike was profound; this sacrifice connected with his desire to lead by example and positively impact the health issues that pesticide was connected to. His mindset was always on the improvement of his community, he valued the community’s health more than his
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own. Also, the documentary showcases personal interview access to Chavez’s community (family, coworkers, etc.). This documentary provides a unique blend between raw footage and community narration. As Chavez heavily valued community, he also believed in personal penance, an act in which a personal makes individual sacrifice that connects to the greater good of people. Many of the Spanish and Mexicans dealt the much discrimination that other minorities dealt with, such as being prohibited from places. Chavez remained persistent with penance approach of advocating for social change.
He had an intimate connection with the issues of farmworkers as he grew up in a family that experienced the same issues. This upbringing and experience gave him the opportunity the advocate for issues people in his Latino culture experienced. In 1960s, Chavez was on a strike, which led to his co-founding the United Farm Workers Association (UFW). From there is when his organizing and advocacy begin to take shape. In 1970s, followed grape boycotts that gave UFW the opportunity to begin to renegotiate contracts for improved work conditions. This movement was based in inclusion, advocacy, and leadership. They were able to not only advocate for social issues, but also, they negotiated with growers and found ways to facilitate economic
development. Similar to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Chavez believed in non-violent techniques for social and civil reform. In 1975, the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act was established, this was law that protected farmworkers’ right to form a union. In this film, it highlights the how stubborn Chavez was. Chavez had a conviction like none other, one that ultimately led to the decline of his health. During day 30 of his hunger fast it was announced that his health had made a serious decline and it was advised that he had brought it to a halt. He was very in tune with the risks, and all of the attention was on him at this point. His strategy was intentional as it attracted national media attention and support for other activists. Ultimately, Chavez’s martyr-like act led to his death. His death was not one of deepen sadness or sorrow, but one of honor that showcased the ultimate connection of spirituality and community. Chavez dedicated his life towards to betterment of others when others did not have the courage to. He was an inspiration to his people to become involved with social and civic issues in a grassroots and political manner. He proved that his penance and dedication to service was worth the social and economic improvement his community gained. Chavez’s story enhances my passion for advocating for serious community issues, and understanding the value of personal sacrifice for progress. This documentary is reflection of what this world can become when they selflessly stand with one another to fight against social and civic injustices our world.
In today's world there is kids in child labor and many people struggling with poverty. It is important that Francisco Jimenez tells a story of migrant farm workers because many people don't understand the struggles the workers go throw.This is relevant to our lives because people who aren't struggling with poverty or are in child labor take most things for granted and those who struggle would be more than grateful for the most slightest
3. Dolores Huerta was the main negotiator during the Delano grape strike. In 1965 Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez were approached by Filipino members of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee ("AWOC"). AWOC wanted higher wages from the Delano are grape growers. AWOC wanted to negotiate new contracts with their employers but they needed the help of Huerta and Chavez. The NFWA was still new and growing although Huerta thought that NFWA was not ready to attack corporate America she could not refuse to help AWOC. The two unions formed into one union called United Farm Workers union. Under this the union Dolores began the battle with the Delano grape growers. Dolores organized over 5,000 workers to walk off their job and to strike until they could reach an agreement with their employers.
"The Story of Cesar Chavez." UFW: The Official Web Page of the United Farm Workers of
Since 1962, Chavez created and maintained a union for farm workers called the United Farm Workers of America. He went through many hard times and had to make very hard decisions but nothing stopped him from giving up on his dreams to help other people. In Document A, Dick Meister talks about how he saw the UFW through his point of view, a highly skeptical reporter from San Francisco. He says ...
...g statistics about the public’s health and make the future seem bleak, “the lifespan is shortening for new American children” (Pastor) and “ one in three children born after the year 2010 will develop type II diabetes” (Pastor). Pastor says that he is shocked by the impact and wants to break away from the cycle created. In his closing statements he convinces the audience to break away from the cycle away as well, by drawing on the seeds he planted with pathos, ethos, and logos. The film was well made and addressed all the issues of “organic” food and well informed the audience of what is occurring. Next time, an audience member goes to the supermarket to buy food they will probably remember what their children will look like in twenty years if they don’t take a more “organic” approach to their lives.
Chávez’s leadership was based on an unshakable commitment to nonviolence, personal sacrifice and a strict work ethic. He emphasized the necessity of adhering to nonviolence, even when faced with violence from employers and growers, because he knew if the strikers used violence to further their goals, the growers and police would not hesitate to respond with even greater vehemence. Despite his commitment to nonviolence, many of the movement’s ‘enemies’, so to speak, made efforts to paint the mo...
Even though, this is a fictional book, it tells a true story about the struggle of the farm worker to obtain a better life for themselves and their families. There are two main themes in this book, non-violence, and the fight for dignity. Cesar Chavez was a non-violent man who would do anything to not get in a fight while they where boycotting the growers. One, incident in the story was when a grower pulled out a gun, and he pointed it at the strikers, Chavez said, “He has a harder decision to make, we are just standing here in peace…” The picketer were beaten and put in jail before they would fight back and that is what why all farm workers look up to Cesar Chavez , along with his good friend Martin Luther King Jr. Non-Violence is the only way to solve anything. The growers in that time did not care about their workers, if people were striking, the growers would go to Mexico and bring in Braceros, mean that they would not have to sign the union contract and not take union workers, who were willing to work if the grower would sign the contract.
The Fight in the Fields: Cesar Chavez and the Farmworkers Movement. Hartcourt-Brace La Botz, Dan (2005). "The Species of the World." César Chávez and La Causa. Pearson Longman Moyer, John (1970).
Chavez was greatly supported the idea of equality the he “gained national stature as a labor union spokesman” with all the action he would take not only in his community but others as well. He was such an influential person that the people of the US Senate offered him to” have a testimony during an US Senate subcommittee hearing” . While he is there he lets the people know how these migrant farm workers are being treated and what people are able to do to help. His actions that he took changed US History by letting the people know what and how the migrant workers are treated.
...ocessed, un-chewable food from their childhood. Pastor uses logos best by providing to the viewers many facts that support his point of view. These facts ranged from effects on the human body to the environment, all supporting that organic food is healthy. Ethos was also used effectively by incorporating interviews with professionals. Pastor was able to gain respect and authority because he has done his research on the topic. Lastly, pathos was used in the documentary to appeal to the emotions of the audience. Pastor accomplishes this by interviewing people who have touching stories involving the issue of healthy eating. Pastor effectively uses rhetorical technique to convince the audience that organic food is the healthy choice, leaving the viewers with only one thought to consider: Why not go organic?
They believed that their approaches to making changes for the workers would work if they continued practicing the same method. Oftentimes their very own methods worked, and would result in the desired way. Sometimes however these methods would lead to quite a bit of anger from those that they opposed. The opposition would call on the courts to attempt to get the union leaders to stop whatever their union was doing. When the leaders did not do this, they were imprisoned. This was the main reason for Chavez's imprisonment. While this possibly partially led to Hoffa's imprisonment, his involvement with the mafia was most likely the main reason for his arrest.
To sum up, Chavez was a man that fought for farmers to be traded better. One of his quotes was “The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It is always about people”. With this, we can conclude that no matter the kind of strike he had lead, it was always for the people. For example, when he was fighting about the pesticide in grapes or lettuces, the true fight he was leading was always a fight for the people in order to make their lives easier. Maybe his life was not easy as a child working at a young age or maybe it got more complicated as he got older and enter the unions to defend the people that worked on farms, but he got to be a hero among the farmers. More importantly, Chavez got the farmers the momentum they needed in order for them to fight for what they wanted, and in the end, accomplished to get the rights they deserved.
Jusko, Adam. "Cesar Chavez." Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in History Resource Center. San Antonio College Lib., San Antonio, TX. 7 July 2014
...The use of pathos, facts and figures, and association persuade and motivate audiences of all ages to change their lifestyle habits, and prove that Hungry for Change is an effective, inspirational documentary.
By completing this objective, workers and their families will change in awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and skills of using pesticides.