I was scrolling on social media the other day and came across a quote I really liked. “Kindness and compassion towards all living things are a mark of a civilized society.
Conversely, cruelty, whether it is directed against human beings or against animals, is not the exclusive province of any one culture or community of people.” Cesar Chavez
Growing up I knew when my dad was stressed at work. Since he worked for Kroger whenever there was a strike or boycott it affected his job. In 1973 I knew he was stressed. I remember hearing the name Cesar Chevez. Chavez was a civil rights leader and labor organizer who fought for the rights of farm workers. He co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), which became the United Farm Workers (UFW).
In 1965, Mexican and Filipino grape workers in Delano, California walked off the job. Chavez sent representatives throughout the country to coordinate boycotts at grocery stores, targeting A&P and Kroger since they were the largest grocery chains at the time.
For the next five years, the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee decided to boycott all table grapes; receiving wide public support. The boycott was the most successful in American history and in 1970, the pressure of the ongoing boycott resulted in the signing of 3-year contracts that provided many farm workers with better conditions.
In April 1973, there was another boycott due to the 3-year contracts running out. The grape growers joined with lettuce growers to try and break the UFWA. The growers invited the Teamsters Union in to sign contracts. The Teamsters did not represent the workers and refused to let them vote.
The farm workers went on strike. They were beaten by hired guards and sheriff’s deputies but remained non-violent. In August two striking farm workers were murdered. Faced with violent attacks and the jailing of 4,000 strikers the UFWA turned to the American people for help. Due in part to the violence, the UFW called off the strike and instead, launched a second national boycott of table grapes, as well as lettuce and Gallo wines. A
t the height of the boycott, 17 million Americans participated. The second boycott ended in 1977 with the passage of legislation in California strengthening labor laws that were considered the strongest in the country at the time. This was the nation’s first and still the only law guaranteeing farm workers the right to organize, choose their own union representative and negotiate with their employers.
Cesar’s motto, “Si se puede!” (“Yes, it can be done!”), embodies the uncommon legacy he left for people around the world. Since his death, hundreds of communities across the nation have named schools, parks, streets, libraries, and other public facilities, as well as awards and scholarships in his honor.
His birthday, March 31st, is an official holiday in 10 states. In 1994, President Clinton posthumously awarded Cesar the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The U.S. Navy named a ship after him in 2011.
He was a vegetarian because he believed that animals feel pain and fear, just like humans. He said that his dog, Boycott, helped him question the right of humans to eat other sentient beings.
Cesar was willing to sacrifice his own life so that the union would continue, and that violence was not used in the protests. Cesar fasted many times. In 1968 Cesar went on a water only, 25 days fast. He repeated the fast in 1972 for 24 days, and again in 1988, this time for 36 days. Cesar Chavez completed his 36-day Fast for Life on August 21, 1988.
The Reverend Jesse Jackson took up where Cesar left off, fasting on water for three days before passing on the fast to celebrities and leaders. The fast was passed to Martin Sheen, actor; the Reverend J. Lowery, President SCLC; Edward Olmos, actor; Emilio Estevez, actor; Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert Kennedy, Peter Chacon, legislator, Julie Carmen, actress; Danny Glover, actor; Carly Simon, singer; and Whoopi Goldberg, actress.
Cesar Estrada Chavez died peacefully in his sleep on April 23, 1993, near Yuma, Arizona, a short distance from the small family farm in the Gila River Valley where he was born more than 66 years before.
As an ordinary person with an uncommon vision, Cesar Chavez stood for equality, justice, and dignity for all Americans. His universal principals are still as relevant and inspiring today as they were when he first began his movement.
Cesar Chavez left our world better than he found it, and his legacy inspires us still.
Spicy Bean Burritos (vegetarian)
For the bean filling:
2 tsp. canola or vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. minced chipotle in adobo sauce
1 tsp. ground cumin
¼ tsp. kosher salt
Dash of cayenne pepper
1/3 cup water, vegetable broth or chicken broth
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
6 tbsp. fresh salsa
For serving:
6 (9- or 10-inch) flour tortillas, warmed
Shredded cheese
Diced tomatoes
Shredded romaine lettuce
Chopped green onions
Low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt
To make the bean filling, heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, chili powder, chipotle, cumin, salt, and cayenne; stir, cooking just until fragrant, 30-60 seconds. Add the beans and the water or broth to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove the skillet from the heat, stir in the salsa and mash the mixture with a spoon or fork. Spoon about a third of a cup of the bean mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top each serving with a pinch of shredded cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, green onions, and sour cream. Roll the tortilla up tightly, burrito style, and serve immediately.
