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How Catholicism shaped Cesar Chavez's social justice
There is no question that Cesar Chavez is the most recognizable historical figure in the history of Latinos in the United States.
There is good reason for this. Chavez occupies a major place in U.S. history. As the leader of the farmworkers’ struggle for unionization and dignity beginning in the 1960s, Chavez accomplished what had never been done. He successfully organized farmworkers—mostly Mexicans and Filipinos—and achieved historic labor contracts with the big growers of California’s San Joaquin Valley. At the same time, Chavez inspired and encouraged the Chicano Movement’s civil rights struggles throughout the Southwest and Midwest.
In many ways, Chavez was the godfather of the Chicano Movement, the largest and most widespread civil rights movement by Mexican Americans in U.S. history.
While many have written about Cesar Chavez’s leadership qualities and abilities, unfortunately, these writers and historians have missed a crucial element of this leadership. They have ignored the deep religiosity and spirituality of Chavez. He was a brilliant organizer, but he was heavily motivated in expressing his leadership because of his faith—his Catholic faith. Chavez’s spiritual nature began with the influence of his grandmother and mother who taught him and his siblings never to hurt anyone, especially physically. This is what some refer to as abuelita theology or the theology of grandmothers. You do not harm another human being because they are God’s children. Cesar Chavez would expand what he learned from his matriarchs to include various other aspects of his faith and spirituality. This includes the following:
There is good reason for this. Chavez occupies a major place in U.S. history. As the leader of the farmworkers’ struggle for unionization and dignity beginning in the 1960s, Chavez accomplished what had never been done. He successfully organized farmworkers—mostly Mexicans and Filipinos—and achieved historic labor contracts with the big growers of California’s San Joaquin Valley. At the same time, Chavez inspired and encouraged the Chicano Movement’s civil rights struggles throughout the Southwest and Midwest.
In many ways, Chavez was the godfather of the Chicano Movement, the largest and most widespread civil rights movement by Mexican Americans in U.S. history.
While many have written about Cesar Chavez’s leadership qualities and abilities, unfortunately, these writers and historians have missed a crucial element of this leadership. They have ignored the deep religiosity and spirituality of Chavez. He was a brilliant organizer, but he was heavily motivated in expressing his leadership because of his faith—his Catholic faith. Chavez’s spiritual nature began with the influence of his grandmother and mother who taught him and his siblings never to hurt anyone, especially physically. This is what some refer to as abuelita theology or the theology of grandmothers. You do not harm another human being because they are God’s children. Cesar Chavez would expand what he learned from his matriarchs to include various other aspects of his faith and spirituality. This includes the following:
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/how-catholicism-shaped-cesar-chavezs-social-justice-religion/29335/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJX85VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHebN77eD4zn77_kudCHYUM_qJUFcBcXx5LVWuzllNm_vqIFvDZHQYKZ6ww_aem_SiSpaS_Bs0EKdMLPRYCsSw