Bernadette Matthews's Blog
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Si Se Puede! Yes We Can!
- Posted on 03.30.09
Si Se Puede! Yes We Can! Cesar Chavez reminds us that “We don’t need perfect political systems, we need perfect participation.” Tuesday, March 31 marks Cesar Chavez Day. Cesar was a Mexican American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the United Farm Workers.
In college, I ran the Farmer’s market on the Loyola Marymount University campus. I worked closely with farmers who would drive for hours from the valleys of their farms to sell their fresh produce to college students who were otherwise eating pizza and chicken tenders at the cafeteria. I saw jocks, punks and sorority girls volunteer to help at the market, saw these college kids forget their exams and social lives to weigh bellpeppers for a few hours and talk with the farmers about their lives. I heard migrants’ stories of leaving their homes, befriended their children whom they brought to the markets, and witnessed the joy they had in working the land and providing nourishment for their families and customers.
I spent a lot of time in college working with immigrants (I have a certain penchant for Mexico and her people) who came to downtown Los Angeles in search of a better future, only to find themselves screwed by bosses and companies and unions. I have met Dolores Huerta, seen the brilliant fight she fought with Cesar, and met people helped by their work. I’m ready to celebrate their legacy.
If you are in the LA area, join me and thousands of others in honoring the Chavez legacy by fighting for justice in the fields at the 11th Annual Cesar Chavez Day Walk & Festival, on Saturday, April 4 from 9am-3pm. The Annual Chavez Day Walk & Festival is the largest community celebration in honor of the California state holiday of service and learning commemorating Chavez’s life of service. The event includes a walk and a community education and entertainment festival for the whole family to educate, empower, and serve the community.
Olvera Street/El Pueblo Monument
125 Paseo de la Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Related causes: Community
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