Brenda Ramirez

Social Movements

M/W 530-645

Chicano rights activism

The 1960s was a raging decade in American history, anxious with conflicts over issues from Civil Rights. The Mexican American Civil Rights Movement, one of the least studied social movements of the 1960s, included a broad cross section of issues—from restoration of land grants, to farm workers' rights, to enhanced education, to voting and political rights. And all of it was trying to fight for peace, the people didn't have a voice to make what was happening to them known, to make the cause known. The struggle of land made Chicanos think they were 2^nd person, always put aside and never taken serious. But for some there was a difference between Mexican and Chicano and other thought of them as a unit together they will stand strong and fight for their rights, together they can become one and fight against the Americans who think of them as nothing other than labor workers. But one particular person, mentioned that he hated being Mexican, not because of the race but how his family raised him, Mexico was nothing to him, what was the point of being Mexican if they were only needed for labor work and nothing else. But people from Mexico were seeking the United States for the opportunities that were given to others, but little did they know about their rights and what they could have done since the beginning. But some were eager to work and if it meant to work in the fields in the hot burning sun, then they would do so.  But as years went on, and situations were being known Caesar Chavez came in the picture, he mentions decades upon decades of nothing being down, we have to fight for all at once, everything that was never given attention too, (Labor work, education, welfare.) But we are going to do our justice. And it comes to show how united one race can become by the words of a man that wants to make a difference even with his own struggles with his family. It is one thing not accepting what the situation was, but realized the farmers were used and abused for unhuman labor rights.

            As I have mentioned before, the farmers came into the United States hoping for a better life, work and provide for their families. They had little to no education, so they came in not knowing the rights they had or the voice to make situations known. But a voice of Caesar Chavez wanted to make action and make the labor rights equal pay, better living conditions, and better care for the people. And Tijerina's fight to convince the federal government to honor the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, but they didn't realize what more than just labor rights was involved. The political opportunity behind the Labor rights movements, Caesar Chavez did not have a plan of his own, all he knew he wanted to create a voice for the people. No time was the right time in the 60's, Americans did not want the Mexicans to prevail in life or get their victory out of it. Although the boycott failed numerous times, C.C never gave up and ended up creating his own union and made things happen with the right people behind him.

            The language behind the people that had no voice, was to make peace and get everyone on the same page and see what injustice was being done. With the bad people that wanted the Mexican to end their strikes and go back to work, Alfonso for example was one of the many people who was going to take over if it meant with force. He also mentioned that instead of bothering the capitol they should seek justice in their own government. The framing behind the protests were peacemaking they made their way to other fields workers starting from Delano, and would make issues known. Even with threats being made against the Mexicans, they still held in strong and continued their path. There was no violence from the Chicanos (Mexicans) just words of wisdom were being made from local fields to school seminars and finally in front of the state capitol.

            The success behind it all, was finally the word was made clear, and someone finally stood up and said "You know what, someone can and will make a change". Being liberated and labor rights being made, with the right voice, tactics, and the right people behind the boycott made the union stronger. Till his last day Caesar Chavez when he passed away the President Clinton was going to award him with such a courageous life and fighting for the people's rights.  His legacy stands strong; people draw their strengths. Even when he received good he never spoke about it he continued to fight for whatever was next in his path.