The events of September 8, 1965, sparked a movement that President Obama later honored with a National Monument, and that movement, in turn, produced a leader so inspiring that President Biden has a likeness of him in the Oval Office where he can see it every day.
The video below is a lively introduction to the events of Sept. 8, containing music, art, and photos that convey the strength and vigor of the movement. It shows the courage, energy, and creativity of ordinary people. It shows that while our focus is often on the leader of the movement, he is only a symbol of the thousands of others whose actions made it all happen. Please check it out. (Or you can skip down to my brief summary with links to further information).
On September 8, 1965, Filipino farmworkers of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee began a momentous strike when they walked out of the Delano, California, grape fields in a brave bid to get relief from inhumane working conditions, exploitation, and low wages.
A week later, the majority-Mexican National Farm Workers Association joined them. Together, the AWOC & NFWA became the United Farm Workers union, led by the great Cesar Chavez. Their strike lasted for 5 years and the movement that they created grew to involve an estimated 17 million people worldwide who actively boycotted grapes in support of the farmworkers (including my family and possibly yours, too).
Recognizing the inspirational leadership of Cesar Chavez, President Obama declared his his birthday a holiday and established the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument in his honor. Today, that Monument serves to commemorate not only Chavez himself, but also the movement as a whole.
So whenever you feel discouraged, remember: "Si se puede!" or, as President Obama put it, "Yes we can!" when we all work together.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Delano grape strike: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delano_grape_strike
Brief audio interview with the son & grandson of Larry Itliong, one of the original Filipino strike leaders:
https://storycorps.org/stories/remembering-a-father-who-fought-for-fairness/?fbclid=IwAR3BeWwIEUYVcTFO33Euw6blIV9adEHPLpcsyqpheDZjgn3E_RcN1vAsfUc
(At this time, I don't have any info on the artists and photographers whose works appear in the video, except that the music was performed by Los Lobos.)