The Life of Cesar Chavez

10 Questions

What was Cesar's experience like in integrated schools?

He felt like a monkey in a cage

Why did Cesar not attend high school?

His father was injured and his mother couldn't work in the fields

What was Cesar's passion later in life?

Education

Who influenced Cesar's views on nonviolence?

St. Francis and Gandhi

What was Cesar's first task as an organizer for CSO?

Registering voters

Where was Cesar Estrada Chavez born?

Yuma, Arizona

Why did Cesar's family move to California in 1938?

To find better job opportunities

What was Cesar's experience with school as a child?

He spoke only Spanish at home and was punished for speaking it in school

What was the name of the barrio where Cesar lived in San Jose?

Sal Si Puedes

What was Cesar's motivation for working hard and sending his kids to college?

To get out of the circle of poverty

Study Notes

Early Life

Cesar Chavez was born on March 31, 1927, near Yuma, Arizona.
He was named after his grandfather, Cesario.
Chavez grew up in Arizona, where his family faced injustices, including being swindled out of their home by dishonest Anglos.

Experiences with Racism and Injustice

Cesar's family had their adobe home taken away by a man named Justus Jackson due to a broken agreement.
His father was advised to borrow money to buy back the land, but ultimately lost it again to the original owner.
This experience taught Cesar about injustice at a young age.

Childhood and Education

Cesar moved to California with his family in 1938 and settled in La Colonia Barrio in Oxnard, later returning to Arizona and then back to California in 1939.
He lived in the barrio called Sal Si Puedes - "Get Out If You Can" in San Jose.
Cesar spoke only Spanish at home and faced difficulties in school due to language barriers.
He was punished for speaking Spanish in school and recalls racist remarks and segregation.

Career and Influences

Cesar graduated from the eighth grade in 1942 but didn't attend high school due to his father's accident and his mother's need to work.
He became a migrant farm worker and later joined the U.S. Navy in 1946, where he served for two years.
Cesar married Helen Fabela in 1948 and was influenced by Father Donald McDonnell and Fred Ross, who introduced him to nonviolent resistance and community organizing.

Community Organizing

Cesar began reading about St. Francis and Gandhi and became involved in community service and voter registration efforts.
He worked as an organizer for the Community Service Organization (CSO) and focused on improving the lives of farm workers.