Happy birthday, Cesar
Cesar Chavez would have been 81 today. I wish I could have met him. Even from his pictures he seemed warm and real and personable, approachable despite the daunting accomplishments linked to this American leader.
Last week, I met his grandson Anthony at the Azusa City Library, where he spoke about his memories of his "Tata" and what his grandfather believed in, worked toward and hoped for.Cesar Chavez did not finish high school, never earned more than $6,000 a year, and never owned a home, yet when he died at age 66, he was already hailed an American hero.
That's why I brought my 6-year-old son to meet Anthony Chavez, who at 22 has the self-possession and easy amiability of his grandfather. I wanted Joseph to hear about a time when Mexican and Filipino Americans had to sit in a separate section of a movie theater from whites, when hotels did not allow you in, when you worked so hard for so little it was hard to think of a future.
Last week, I met his grandson Anthony at the Azusa City Library, where he spoke about his memories of his "Tata" and what his grandfather believed in, worked toward and hoped for.Cesar Chavez did not finish high school, never earned more than $6,000 a year, and never owned a home, yet when he died at age 66, he was already hailed an American hero.
That's why I brought my 6-year-old son to meet Anthony Chavez, who at 22 has the self-possession and easy amiability of his grandfather. I wanted Joseph to hear about a time when Mexican and Filipino Americans had to sit in a separate section of a movie theater from whites, when hotels did not allow you in, when you worked so hard for so little it was hard to think of a future.
We also watched actor Fred Blanco perform his one-man show, "The Stories of Cesar Chavez," tailored for the younger crowd but no less emphatic and compelling. In the end, No. 1 Son fidgeted a bit and eyed the chocolate chip cookies on a back table, but he very politely shook Anthony's hand and posed for a picture, one I promised him he'd appreciate better when he's older.
But the message got across anyway. Joseph said he learned that Cesar Chavez prayed to Mary, he helped poor people be treated better and he started the clapping. (Anthony used clapping as a way for the kids to envision what Cesar did, how one man can enjoin others and how many people can then make a difference if they work together.) On the ride home, I explained how hard it was to do the work Cesar Chavez did, to stand up for your rights when it was scary and dangerous to do so, and to help people even if you don't have a lot of money, just your beliefs. "Si se puede," Anthony Chavez told his audience. "It's important to use our life to help those around us."
Thank you, Cesar, for clapping.
Pray we all join in.
But the message got across anyway. Joseph said he learned that Cesar Chavez prayed to Mary, he helped poor people be treated better and he started the clapping. (Anthony used clapping as a way for the kids to envision what Cesar did, how one man can enjoin others and how many people can then make a difference if they work together.) On the ride home, I explained how hard it was to do the work Cesar Chavez did, to stand up for your rights when it was scary and dangerous to do so, and to help people even if you don't have a lot of money, just your beliefs. "Si se puede," Anthony Chavez told his audience. "It's important to use our life to help those around us."
Thank you, Cesar, for clapping.
Pray we all join in.
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