Cesar Chávez & Mother Frances Cabrini -
Two Americans who Dedicated their Life Helping Immigrants. They should be Recognized Nationally! April, 2014.
1. Cesar Chávez is an American who hasn’t yet been recognized (not well-known) and appreciated (valued, respected) on a national level, here in our country, the USA.
(Cesar Chávez. Google Image)
2. Chávez was the 2nd of 5 children. He was born on March 31, 1927; he grew up on a farm, in Arizona’s North Valley, near Yuma, the borders of California and Mexico, and the Colorado River. After his parents lost their farm, during the Great Depression (a difficult economic time in US history-from the 1930’s to 1940), he had to work in the fields as a migrant worker/farmer.
3. During the 1960’s, Chávez and thousand other farm workers picked fruits and vegetables from morning until evening in the scorching (hot) California fields. They had the lowest wages (pay), and no water, didn’t have any legal rights; they were not allowed (not permitted) to organize and vote for better working/pay conditions (circumstances). In addition, they had no clean drinking water, no access to portable toilets (movable bathrooms), no lunch breaks, and/or short rest breaks during the workday. They neither had a minimum wage (pay), or any employment (work) insurance. Benefits such as health insurance, pensions, and paid vacations were unheard of; they were only dreams for them. In addition, their housing was terrible (not good, very bad), and most migrant worker's kids (children of workers that moved at each picking season/time) didn’t have a chance (opportunities) of finishing high school. However (but), at that time nobody seemed to care, and if they complained they could be fired, beaten up and/or even killed.
4. In order to overcome these injustices (wrongs bad actions), in 1962 Cesar established (formed, created) the National Farm Workers Association. His dream was to improve (to make better) the lives of his fellow farm workers in a non-violent (no violence) and peaceful way. And in 1967 he co-founded (with someone else) the United Farm Workers union with his wife Dolores Huerta. In the same year he led an historic 350 mile march from Delano to the steps of the California Capitol, in Sacramento. Here thousands of supporters (helpers) joined him on Easter Sunday to demand (to ask for) better pay and working conditions for all farm workers.
5. But this wasn’t all. To show his commitment (promise, vow, pledge) to La Causa (The Cause), Cesar would go on hunger strikes (not eating). This action attracted support (help, understanding) from around the world. However, it took him 5 years - of fasting, jail time (for him and other leaders), marches, picketing and bargaining - before most of the largest Delano grape-growers gave in.
6. I often wonder; what motivated (inspired) Chávez? It was his mother’s teachings – they were a big influence (effect) on him. He also had strength from his religious beliefs, his Mexican traditions, and his heroes, Saint Francis of Assisi (an Italian saint), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (who lead the African American civil rights movement); and Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the nonviolent fight for India’s independence from Great Britain.
7. Chávez died in 1993, at the age of 66, after a 36 day hunger strike (no food). He was a controversial (divisive, not everyone agreed with him) figure (person) for those who resisted (didn’t like) change and didn’t want better conditions (life) for migrant (moving) workers and immigrants (people who come from other countries). Even today some don’t like him because of his efforts (work) in helping poor migrant farm workers, and for his activist ideas (new/liberal ideas). Many have never heard of him, others continue to work for the same ideals (ideas, dreams) and hopes.
8. But many people, including myself (me too), think he is a hero because he used peaceful ways to improve (make better) the life of the needy (poor), and for his sincerity (honesty) and his commitment (promise, vow) and self-sacrifice (much work) for a just cause (reason, issue). That is why I wrote about him in this essay (story) - he accomplished his goals and dreams with kindness (good deeds)- he sacrificed (worked very hard) so that others could live a decent (good) life. 
9. Chávez is one of my favorite American leaders because I have several things in common (similarities, the same). Hence, I feel a connection (relationship, link, something in common) with him - because of the following facts (realities). I am an immigrant, my mother’s moral (just, right, good, ethical) and religious teachings were also a strong force (inspiration) to me- her compassion (feeling sorry, pity) toward the needy (poor people) had a positive (good) effect on me. Her lessons, the things she taught me, left an indelible (unmovable, forever) and significant (important) mark (sign) in my life, in my heart. I also feel compelled (I feel obliged, responsible) to help those in need because of my mother’s example (ways, model) and words. Like Chávez, I also didn’t have it easy when I arrived in the USA from Italy. At the time (back then) I didn’t know English, I went to high school, but I also had to work 6 days a week, so I could support (help) my family. And like Chávez I also was bullied (intimidated, scared) when I was attending (going to) school. Thank God my dad defended (protected, stood up for) me! He wasn’t violent (aggressive, brutal, mean)! He just yelled (scream, hollered) at the principal! Who in turn yelled and warned (told, advised, forewarned) the kids who scared and bullied me! They never bothered (disturbed, upset) me again! And finally (lastly), just like Chávez, my family and I were looking for a better future in America. So, immigrants (people who come to the USA) know from experience (living life) that starting a life in a new country is very challenging (difficult, not easy). I know - I’m one of them! I understand their struggles (problems, issues).
The Emigrant. Acrylic on plywood (wood board). (c) Ottavio Lo Piccolo, 1976.
10. I completely understand Chávez struggles (battles) and dreams (wishes) because they were mine too! They are the dreams of all hard working and honest immigrants who come to America. And today it hurts to see that many people (in our country and also in other rich industrialized nations, e.g. Europeans), do everything they can to oppose (stop, fight) and eventually expel (kick out), deport (send back home), immigrants who are honest and hardworking. Many people, and many Americans, have forgotten that once they also were immigrants in this land!
Mini Bio: Cesar Chavez - YouTube Video (4 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns5NMHTk-yY
Born near Yuma, Arizona, on March 31, 1927, Cesar Chavez employed nonviolent means to bring attention to the plight of farm workers, and formed both the National Farm Workers Association, which later became United Farm Workers. As a labor leader, Chavez led marches, called for boycotts and went on several hunger strikes. It is believed that Chavez's hunger strikes contributed to his death on April 23, 1993, in San Luis, Arizona.
Cesar Chavez: From the Fields to Victory
YouTube Video (24 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb93EX94q1w
Covers Chavez's rise to leader. Briefly recaps early life and then focuses on strategies, setbacks and victories that culminated in the grape boycott
(Mother Cabrini. Google Image)
11. Another hero I admire is Saint Frances Cabrini, also known as Maria Francesca Cabrini. She is one of my favorite American hero because she helped poor and immigrants. She was born in a small Italian village on July 15, 1850. She was the youngest of 13 children. Her parents died when she was 18 and decided to become a nun, but she was turned down because of poor health. For a while she worked in an orphanage (a place for children without parents). Her bishop was impressed by her dedication (love, commitment) that he invited her to establish (to start/begin) a community (a group of people) to teach young girls. So Maria, along seven other young women, founded (created/established) the Missionary sisters of the Sacred Heart. The community was successful (good, grew bigger/better) and vocations were plentiful (many women wanted to be nuns/sisters like her). In 1889, Pope Leo XII asked her to go to New York and work with poor Italian immigrants. So she arrived (went, got to) at Ellis Island on March 3 of that year with 6 six other missionary sisters (nuns who travel/work in other countries). Within 2 years she founded an orphanage (a home for children w/out parents) and also opened Columbus Hospital in New York. In 1909 Mother Cabrini became a U.S. citizen.
12. She established (started, built) schools, hospitals and orphanages (homes for children without parents) throughout the United States. Mother Cabrini died on December 22, 1922. Pope Pius XII canonized her (declared her a saint) in 1946, and named her Patroness (protector) of immigrants. She was the first U. S. citizen to be declared a saint. I believe that this Christian sister of ours can be our spiritual/moral support in helping the immigrant struggle here in the U.S.A. That’s another reason (explanation) why she’s on my favorite list of leaders and hero (brave, courageous, not afraid, kind) of our times.
Questions for Discussion, and my answers.
1. What is that greatest attribute (quality, factor), or the most important characteristic (quality, personality) of a hero?
I think it is his/her willingness (wish) to sacrifice (do good even when it isn't easy) for others. Heroes are willing to suffer, even to the point of death (to die), and to give their life, so that others can live, can be safe, and/or can have a better life and reach their dreams/goals (objectives, wishes).
2. Do you know any other hero? from the USA or from your native country? Tell us about him/her?
I know one from my native country, Italy. His name is Giuseppe Garibaldi. He was an army general who fought for the unification and freedom of Italy in the 1800s. After he liberated Italy from the Bourbons (Austrian-Hungarians) he was offered a position of power from the Italian King, but he refused it. He left for South America where he fought for their independence (freedom from the domination of other countries).
3. Do you think that honest hard working immigrants should be allowed to have work permits so they can work in the USA?
I think they should because they help our economy and our country grow. We also need their experience and knowledge. Immigrants also pay taxes, hence this money helps our government and our economy. With more money the government can provide (give), create services like schools, hospitals, build roads/bridges, etc.
4. Do you think that immigrants take jobs from Americans?
Maybe, but the fact is that many American businesses need immigrants because they work hard, they are reliable and consistent, they know how to sacrifice. And they don't get paid a lot of money for their work. So they help the American economy, and help business survive (live) stay open for business/work!
You should watch this movie: Fighting for Freedom, which is based on (about) a true story. A Mexican family crosses into the USA illegally (unlawfully, without permission) and works for many years on a fruit farm, called Love Farm. The immigrant family has three children, but one-day immigration officials find them and want to send them back to Mexico. However, the owner of Love Farm defends them in court. The farm ownwer's daughter, is the lawyer who defends them. They try to convince (persuade) the judge that this Mexican family deserves (merits/should) to stay, because they have worked hard, are honest, reliable (dependable, trustworthy) good, loving, and friendly people who helped Love Farm survive from going under (closing, out of business). This film must shows the struggles (difficulties, problems) of honest and hard working immigrant families, who contribute (add, help) to the survival (life) and success of American business (commerce, trade, jobs, farms). Immigrants do all kinds of jobs that most Americans do not want to do, because they (jobs) are physically (bodily) too hard. Immigrants work on farms; they pick crops, tend (take care, look after) animals, they clean and feed them. They work in restaurants, where they clean, cook and serve people. And in construction they do the hardest jobs, etc.
In 2014 I created the Cesar Chavez / Mother Cabrini ESL Scholarship. It's for my adult ESL students (at the Adult Education of the Capital Region BOCES campus, in Albany). ESL students are immigrants who have to learn English and work at the same time, in order to support their families. This is little financial help.
I awarded (presented) 2 scholarships for $150 each in June 2014. Funds for this scholarship will be raised by selling/raffling some of my artworks and the sale of Letters from America (a collection of my writings).
If you would like more info, and/or to make a donation (receipts will be provided on request) email me at Ottaviolopiccolo5@gmail.com
or call; me at home (518) 370-4476
You can make your check to:
Cesar Chavez / Mother Cabrini ESL Scholarship
and mail it to me Ottavio Lo Piccolo,
1467 Kingston Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12308.
Thank you!
All writings/images are © Copyrighted by Ottavio Lo Piccolo (unless otherwise specified). All rights reserved. No part of these writings, images/artworks, may be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the authors’ written permission. Classroom teachers may copy individual articles with the images included in each piece, but only for instructional purposes and only for their classroom students. Images are from Google images, unless otherwise specified.
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