Overview
This lecture traces Cesar Chavez's life, detailing his transformation from a migrant farm worker to a leader of the farm workers' movement, emphasizing his commitment to nonviolence and union organization.
Early Life and Migrant Experience
- Chavez's family struggled with poverty and discrimination after moving to California as migrant workers known as "fruit tramps."
- Farm worker families faced poor living conditions, sometimes sheltering under trees due to a lack of housing from growers.
- Chavez witnessed racism against Mexican Americans and his family's hardships harvesting food while often going hungry.
- At 17, Chavez joined the Navy, later returning to work the fields in California.
Path to Organizing
- After the war, Chavez married Helen Fabella and settled in San Jose, but continued to face bleak labor conditions.
- Chavez met Fred Ross from the Community Service Organization (CSO), who became his mentor and taught him grassroots organizing.
- Chavez spent a decade registering voters, teaching citizenship classes, and building leadership skills.
Founding a Union
- Chavez aimed to organize farm workers into their own union, founding the National Farm Workers Association with Dolores Huerta.
- Early efforts faced skepticism and resistance from both workers and growers.
- The first effective strike in Delano was initiated by Filipino workers; Chavez’s association joined, creating a unified front.
The Delano Grape Strike and National Attention
- The growers violently resisted strikes; workers risked losing jobs and endured intimidation.
- Chavez's leadership inspired workers to demand negotiation as equals, overcoming racial prejudice and low self-esteem.
- Innovative tactics included a union newspaper, a food co-op, and symbolic use of a flag and theater (Teatro Campesino).
- National support grew with involvement from civil rights leaders, students, and union solidarity like that from Walter Reuther.
Political and Social Impact
- Congressional hearings on farm labor were prompted by the strike, with support from Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
- Chavez led a 300-mile march to Sacramento, growing the movement’s visibility and support.
Commitment to Nonviolence
- Facing pressure as violence grew in the movement, Chavez responded with a public fast, reaffirming nonviolent protest.
- His fast rallied thousands in a vigil and gained national attention and unity.
The Grape Boycott and Victory
- The grape boycott targeted growers economically, spreading the movement nationwide and internationally.
- By 1969, grape sales fell significantly as millions joined the boycott.
- In 1970, growers recognized the United Farm Workers, agreeing to better wages and conditions.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Migrant Worker — A person who moves to different locations to find seasonal agricultural work.
- Grassroots Organizer — Someone who mobilizes ordinary people to take collective action.
- National Farm Workers Association — Union founded by Chavez to represent farm laborers.
- Huelga — Spanish for "strike."
- Teatro Campesino — Farm Workers' Theater used for cultural protest and empowerment.
- Boycott — Refusal to buy goods (e.g., grapes) to pressure producers for change.
- Nonviolence — Commitment to social change without using physical force.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the story of the Delano Grape Strike and the role of boycotts in labor movements.
- Study the impact of nonviolent protest and political advocacy in the farm workers’ movement.