¡! letters to the editor
In response to: From the Jaws of Victory Arizona State University faculty
member Matthew Garcia delivers interesting conclusions in his new book From the Jaws of Victory. Garcia labels Chicano icon Cesar Chavez’s as unaccountable, “hollow and devoid of substance” and vengeful, then compares Cesar’s behavior to a cult leader. Cesar Chavez a cult leader? Cesar is responsible for leading a movement that continues after 50 years and has transcended not only his life but across issues, borders and communities. Cesar is responsible for developing the few leaders our community enjoys today (to be clear I do not place myself in that category) and continues to be a role model of resiliency, faith, and non violent resistance. Cesar also challenged the Chicano leadership of his generation, rebuking the standards of complacency and tolerance of patterns of abuse. So when Garcia plays Monday morning quarterback and insults Cesar Chavez by comparing him to a cult leader I, and many of my colleagues, are disgusted that Garcia could even attempt to tarnish his memory. Cults by definition are religious in nature, therefore the label is false on its face. Sociologists define cults as abnormal or bizarre. There is nothing abnormal or bizarre about pursuing justice for, and fighting oppression against, farm workers. Cesar’s efforts were in fact valiant, selfless and powerful! Was Cesar perfect? No, there is only one person that has walked this Earth that can claim that distinction. Nor is
Cesar beyond reproach, no one should be, but to deliver a less than complimentary image of Cesar while our community could benefit from Cesar’s example of empowerment is a clear demonstration of poor judgement and distant disconnection from our community. Garcia observes the many streets across the country bearing Cesar’s name, the holidays in Cesar’s honor and Cesar’s face on a postage stamp. Then Garcia reveals Cesar’s “flaws” and “miscalculation and failure” and asks, “Why is it that conditions on farms in California today still resemble those that existed before 1962?” Why would Garcia have this focus? Is it to give us the impression that somehow we have all been duped? Is it to illustrate that Garcia is so much smarter than the rest of us? That if it were not for Garcia’s work we would never have these revelations? For Garcia to assert that conditions on California farms resemble those before Cesar’s work is asinine. Not to say there isn’t room for improvement,
but if it were not for Cesar, farm workers would not have rest periods, clean water, protection from pesticides, better wages, improved living conditions and the right to organize. If it were not for Cesar, conditions on those farms would indeed be far worse. Further, the empowerment to Latinos from the farm worker movement extends well beyond agricultural settings. My answer to both Garcia’s question of “Why is it that conditions on farms in California today still resemble those that existed before 1962?” and my own question of why Garcia would have this focus is this - because we still have Malinches internally and selfishly undermining the fabric of our community’s greatness to promote themselves rather than celebrating our successes and demanding that we build on them. How very convenient and simple for Garcia to cast the blame on Cesar for conditions that really are all of our responsibility. And maybe that’s the real issue that needs to be studied, not enough people take responsibility for improving any condition that does not impact themselves directly. Truly tragic after Cesar struggled to teach us how to use our own purchasing power, voices and votes as a means of empowerment. Cesar sacrificed, worked hard and loved unconditionally. These are the real revelations Cesar leaves with us and what should be promoted. The very examples that we need to advance our community and ourselves.
latinopm.com
¡ November 2012!
– George H. Díaz Phoenix Latino Perspectives Magazine
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