Irene De La Cruz: Why we pay homage to Cesar Chavez

When an individual has profound influence on others so as to bring about positive change to society as a whole, we all gain something in the process. During the month of March, we pay homage to an individual who did just that, Cesar E. Chavez.

Cesar Chavez is one of those historical figures who changed my life and the life of thousands of others by what he did for people like myself and my husband. His commitment to improving the working conditions of American farmworkers and bringing awareness to the rest of the world of their plight was like no other.

It was a struggle and a suffering that he and his organization (the United Farm Workers) went through just to recognize the basic civil rights of farmworkers.

Chavez and the United Farm Workers union were able to organize the farm laborers to work for a more humane way of earning a living wage so they could support a family. This was especially important because they were the workforce that helped put food on the tables of all Americans.

Their efforts also included fighting for things that many other workers took for granted, such as providing restroom facilities, drinking water, a little shade for the 110-degree weather and breaks.

All the work done by Chavez and the union, including the sacrifices they endured, affected anyone working in the agricultural fields, not just Hispanics.

Some farmworkers played a more active role in the struggle; some refused to participate because of the fear of losing their jobs. Some just watched and let things play out, and others were not supportive. But that was OK, and Chavez was understanding of those who decided not to be part of his efforts, but his heart remained dedicated to helping as many as possible.

On a personal level, even though my brothers, sister, parents and I worked in the fields, it was local and we were able to livein one town. But other families followed different crops, going from one place to another year after year. My husband and his family were one of those.

They were what is referred to as “coast-to-coast” migrants who traveled from sunny Florida to the Golden State, working in the fields of the states in between. He and his brothers are fifth-generation Americans from Texas, so he is as American as they come and extremely proud of his heritage.

The experiences that my husband has shared with me about his family’s journey from labor camp to labor camp has always fascinated me. For example, he’s talked about how they survived thecamps of Florida, which sounded more like prisons because of the barbed-wired fences and treatment they received from those in charge.

He has compared these camps to those written about in the book “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck. As an adolescent when he read the book, he couldn’t believe how similar it was to his experiences as a farm laborer.

When he thinks back to what he saw and learned in the fields, and how they were treated as Americans, he also thinks about how things have changed and how much better the working conditions are today; and it was all because one man – Cesar E. Chavez – took a stand and spoke up for the American farmworker.

On Tuesday, we will celebrate his work and life through many activities and functions that will take place throughout the county, state, nation and even the world. And several events are planned for the area this weekend.

Many years ago, my husband and I had the opportunity to meet and march alongside Chavez when he came to Merced. We also marched and celebrated with him in Sacramento. It was something I will never forget. So I salute the accomplishments and the memories of this historic American figure who once walked the ground in Merced County.

This story was originally published March 26, 2015 at 5:37 PM with the headline "Irene De La Cruz: Why we pay homage to Cesar Chavez."