Denis O'Leary
By Denis O’Leary / Guest contributor
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the United Farm Workers. Oxnard has benefited greatly, as has the nation from the advocacy and laws that have come about from the UFW.
César Chávez was the catalyst of the movement, but many others were on the front line with the labor leader from the very beginning. Dolores Huerta still fights for justice in the farm worker ranks, as do UFW President Arturo Rodriguez, and every worker and volunteer who considers themselves an organizer.
I once had a conversation with Paul Chávez while visiting the UFW office in La Paz, California. As Paul opened a small box to show me the Medal of Freedom his father had received, he mentioned that César had very few victories in his life and that most of these were short lived. True. Perhaps it was the struggle that made this man great.
Our community will be celebrating the life of César Chávez on Sunday, April 1st in La Colonia in Oxnard.
Oxnard was the city where César Chávez started his labor movement with Fred Ross. César found difficulties at every turn, but his words were exciting and people listened. Mr. Ross wrote about this time in Oxnard of the late 1950’s in the book, “Conquering Goiath.”
Over the years the United Farm Workers helped better the working conditions for field workers across the country and brought better securities to families and our community in general.
César lived in our Oxnard. He worked in our fields and slept on our beaches. César spoke to many laborers at the side of our fields, in school cafeterias and door-to-door. This internationally known icon was in our community.
César Chávez was never alone. Many people became unrecognized heroes in our community. Even after the passing of César in 1993, his struggle and the organizers who have fought for respect and better conditions for the field workers have peacefully continued to call for the positive change called for by Cesar.
On April 1st, 2012 we will gather once again to show all that the struggle for justice and respect for the people who provide food on our tables are not just empty shadows of a man who once lived amongst us.
The United Farm Workers will also recognize “50 in 50” or fifty people who have supported the movement over the years. The true number is far greater and the UFW and our community are grateful to all who have taken up “la causa”.
I agree with Paul Chávez. The United Farm Workers has had too few victories in its 50 years. Many are still calling for better conditions in the fields. The message and work of César Chávez and that of many others is still heard today. Perhaps it is the passion of the organizer and the justice being called for that still allows us to ‘march with César’ and hear the cries of “Sí se puede” through the streets and fields of Ventura County.
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- 9 a.m. Sunday, April 1 — Mass for the fieldworkers at Cristo Rey Church, 531 Cooper Road, Oxnard.
- 10 a.m. Sunday, April 1 — March starts at Cristo Rey Church and ends at César Chávez School, 301 North Marquita St., Oxnard.
- 11 a.m. Sunday, April 1 — Celebration of 50 years the UFW with union President Arturo Rodriguez.
— Denis O’Leary is an educator and a member of the board of trustees for the Oxnard School District.