Topic > The Life and Work of Cesar Chavez

Today, Cesar Chavez is known as a civil rights leader who spoke out for the privileges of migrant workers in America and had a major impact on today's agricultural policy. Chavez took part in agricultural slavery in the United States and fought for what he and other migrant workers believed was right. Many of his colleagues agreed that they deserved much more in return for their work, and Chavez and his followers banded together to start a revolution to make their voices heard. Chavez and the unions and organizations he helped form are known for their devotion to nonviolence. These civil tactics helped create an understanding between immigrant workers and their economy that would lead to greater equity in agricultural employment. If it weren't for Cesar Chavez, modern civil rights would be very different than we know them today. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Cesar Chavez was born in the agricultural town of Yuma, Arizona, right near the Mexican border, where many immigrants went in search of 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) Eventually his family also lost their home and, desperate for an income, Chavez's parents realized that they needed to go to California and work in the fields to provide for their family and start a new life. Cesar Chavez and his family worked in the fields of California for years in an attempt to make a living. As a teenager, Cesar found it necessary to leave school to become a full-time field worker, to relieve his mother. After four years in the camps, Cesar Chavez decided to join the United States Navy. His time in the military allowed him to travel around the world and see things from a new and broader perspective. However, Chavez ended up leaving after two years and considered it the worst time of his life. When he returned to the camps, Chavez tried to convince migrant workers to stand up for their beliefs and register to vote so they could have a say. “Cesar Chavez knew their difficulties firsthand. (Grossman, 3) Cesar Chavez encouraged migrant workers to unionize and fight for their freedom peacefully to see results. His encouragement instilled hope in the minds of migrant workers that together they can make a difference and that their voices can be heard. Cesar Chavez was gradually gaining followers who shared many of his beliefs, which helped him grow in popularity, thus gaining power. As Chavez became more powerful, he began encouraging people to do something about the problems and began mass strikes against major agricultural companies. “From the beginning of the strike, Chávez has underlined the importance of nonviolence in his strategy.” (Garcia, 46) Cesar Chavez and the many organizations that supported his ideals gained supporters over time until an entire revolution began. Many of the migrant workers in the field were Catholic, as was Cesar Chavez, so he used that unity to his advantage, making it one of his tactics to spread 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) Sharing religious beliefs with his group of followers gave aChavez the opportunity to use religion to support his views towards human equality and peace. “Chavez's Catholic faith and the writings of his hero, Gandhi, transformed the agricultural worker leader into a staunch champion of nonviolence” (Martin, 748). Chavez incorporated prayer into some of his meetings and collaborated with the bishops of the Catholic Church, who raised his credibility and trustworthiness. Cesar Chavez helped organize the Community Service Organization in 1952 which brought together Latin Americans who wanted to gain rights and freedoms. He then founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1962. These organizations eventually banded together to fight agricultural standards together in California, resulting in improved conditions for workers that would last for many years to come. Chávez, who had organized agricultural workers to protest low wages and rising rents in migrant labor camps, joined other organizations in 1965 to support a strike against winemakers in Delano. Organized by Filipino workers of the Farm Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), the strike was also supported by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Congress for Racial Equality (CORE). (Garcia, 1) Chavez and his large group of supporters won many other small battles that would soon give birth to an entire revolution. All protests in this uprising were peaceful, such as hunger strikes and peaceful protests. The impact Cesar made in California was much needed at the time, when many migrant families struggled with extreme poverty. “Chavez became the first person to successfully organize California farm workers.” (Prouty, 30) Many people immigrated to America for work in the early 1900s, and farming was a labor-intensive career that always seemed to have opportunities, as crops were constantly growing. As the demand for field workers has grown, their days have become longer and harder, but as more and more migrants arrive to work in the United States, their wages have also fallen. This combination created a one-sided economy in favor of American farmers who abused these migrants. Cesar Chavez did everything in his power to open these workers' eyes to the unjust standards under which they worked so they could stand with him for justice. News of the Cesar Chavez riots spread across the nation, inspiring migrant workers elsewhere in the world. the United States to follow his tactics and defend their freedom. In states like Texas and Ohio, which also have a lot of agricultural work, many similar unions had formed, and migrant workers fought the same battle that Chavez and his organizations had started on the West Coast. Chavez has attracted attention for his causes through boycotts, marches and hunger strikes.” Chavez's tactics worked so well because they were nonviolent and relatable to his audience. “The influence of Chavez and his union continues to extend far beyond the camps. They are credited with inspiring generations of Latinos and other Americans to social and political activism.” (Martin, 750) Chavez's influence and that of his organizations gave hope to so many American workers in 1900 that revolutions broke out across the United States. One of the largest and most successful strikes led by Cesar Chavez was the Bowl Shot salad strike. This strike saw the participation of thousands of people who protested and boycotted to make their opinion heard against unfair treatment and make a difference. In 1970, the workers.