Key Leaders During The Chicano Movement

Dolores Huerta did not lead on her own, she sought the help of other like-minded people such as Cesar Chavez. While Chavez was known a

During his lifetime, Cesar Chavez and his followers made many changes and contributions to society. While he was alive, he had the privilege to see what his non-violence actions produced; what they transpired. It is recorded that Chavez began actively organizing workers in the fields in 1952. The California-based Community Service Organization (CSO) recruited and trained for his work. Chavez built new chapters of CSO, led voter registration drives, and helped Mexican-Americans confront issues of police and immigration abuse during the next ten years. In 1958 he became general director of CSO. With $1,200 of his own savings, Chavez resigned four years later, to found the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) in 1962. (Gale Encyclopedia) He was a very determined man; strived in everything he put his mind to. Russell declares that by

One of the greatest civil rights activists of our time; one who believed the ways of Gandhi and Martin Luther King that “violence can only hurt us and our cause” (Cesar Chavez); a quiet, devoted, small catholic man who had nothing just like those he help fight for; “one of America's most influential labor leaders of the late twentieth century” (Griswold del Castillo); and one “who became the most important Mexican-American leader in the history of the United States” (Ender). Cesar Chavez; an American farm worker, who would soon become the labor leader that led to numerous improvements for union workers; it is recorded that Chavez was born near Yuma, Arizona on March 31, 1927 and died on April 23, 1993 in San Luis, Arizona. (Wikipedia) His

He simply wanted everybody to be treated equal and respect each other no matter their color, race, or heritage. He didn’t care if he was famous after impacting the world, in a time when racial equality was not in the question. Even the smallest things in life can impact someone’s mentality on a subject. For example, if you own an Apple product you might think it’s just a machine with a software that helps you out throughout your day. But in reality it’s much more than that, the Apple product you hold in your hands, is actually the result of one man’s dream to improve technology in many ways. That man’s name is Steve Jobs. If Steve Jobs have ignored the power that his intelligent mind holds within, you wouldn’t be holding an Apple product like you do today. Steve Jobs instead refused to listen to the people that would say, “it’s impossible,” or “you will never succeed like this.” And he went on to make a company that today is worth over $800 billion dollars, the way he did that is by standing for he what believes and never giving up on his dreams. Another important figure is Cesar Chavez and his mission on improving the treatment on workers who would get almost little or no pay, abusive labor, and nation wide struggle with the farming industry. He achieved to get the workers what they deserved in pay, as well as treatment, and moral support. And he did this the exact same way any other leader would do, by believing in himself as well as his community and

Throughout history, people have made sacrifices, changes, and big decisions that later sometimes result in something grand. These grand occurrences can either be good or bad. Usually as time goes on these events and most well-known people of this time are highlighted in history classes for students to learn and to honor those of that time. However, some of the smaller people that contributed to historical events aren’t as highlighted as those that were seen as the big leaders. For example, in the American Revolution, the people that usually come to mind are George Washington, Paul Revere, and Thomas Jefferson. What about the people who were injured, scared and killed because of this bloody war? They seem to be forgotten until they are highlighted once again. Another example of a person that was not really highlighted for their actions is Nina Simone. She made an impact on the Civil Right Movement that not many other artist or celebrity would have done. When you think of the Civil Rights Movement the first three that come to mind of course are, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, and Rosa Parks. So, when someone hears the name Nina Simone the two most common responses might be “Who’s that?” or “Oh the singer?”. But what is forgotten is how she, at such a high level, put her reputation at a risk. Nina Simone was a very well-known singer of the 1950s and 1960s especially for her song “Feeling Good”. She didn’t just use her popularity for fame and money but to express

David Montejano in his book Quixote’s Soldiers describes the Chicano movement as a way of helping the Mexican American community to be accepted in the United States. The book is

Tejano, Texans of Spanish and Mexican descent, formed several organizations in the early 20th century to protect themselves from official and private discrimination, but made only partial progress in addressing the worst forms of official ethnic discrimination. The movement to overturn the many forms of state-sponsored discrimination directed at Hispanic Americans was strongest in Texas during the first fifty years of the 20th century. It was just right after World War II that returning veterans joined the League of United Latin American citizens (LULAC) to end segregation. Their main goal was to have equal rights for Mexicans. “According to the U.S Census, tejanos comprised 32.4 percent of the workers in the state and owned 33 percent of its wealth”. (102)

The League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, states in its website that it “is the oldest and most widely respected Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States of America.” Established in 1929 by three virtually unheard of Mexican-American civil rights groups, it has served its Latino population for over 85 years. It was founded at a time when Mexican Americans needed a voice and, upon its arrival, sparked the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement. LULAC was able to transform itself through constant re-assessment of its goals and accomplishments, as it established itself as a Mexican-American champion and leader, while creating a legacy for coming generations to follow.

Cesar Chavez an American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist is remembered for his hard work and one of the most influential boycotts in United States. He overcame obstacles in his life and succeeded, due to his characteristics of tunneling, limelight effect, and unwavering commitment to public service and social

Cesar Chavez, an eighth grade dropout, proves to be a man of courage, honesty and honor. This notable union leader was toughened and prepared for the life ahead of him by his early experience as a migrant laborer. Facing injustices at an early age and commencing childhood as a poor farm worker, Cesar Chavez could have been a man of insignificance. Instead, Cesar never failed to be a loyal leader and strive for justice all while being a passionate worker to live out the American dream. His value for hard work and devotion for the less fortunate are attributes that justify why he is seen as the most important Latino leader who was triumphant in keeping the dream alive.

Whenever he would start a boycott or strike he would do it a way where there was no violence. Many immigrants would call Cesar Chavez their hero because of all the good things he

Moctesuma Esparza helped organize chicano students to do walkouts but no one ever listened to them, or actually took them seriously. ”He'd organize high school students, encourage

Chavez wanted to help immigrants and chicanos against discrimination because they weren’t getting the same amount of rights as the americans were getting and heard many complaints about it as he traveled between Arizona and California. As an immigrant and knowing the pain

The Chicano Movement arose during the Civil Rights era; it was a cultural and political movement, in order to

Lopez taught Chicano Studies at a local high school. The purpose of the class, according to Mr. Lopez, was to instill in his students a sense of pride in their Latino heritage, in the hopes that it would empower them.