Cesar Chevez Day
I have a very early memory of this man. When I was but maybe 14 or 15 years old, I got involved with the plight of the migrant workers. Attending a very liberal Catholic all-girl high school, we were often allowed to take days off and participate in protests, marches and picket lines. One summer, every Saturday morning I put on my school uniform and walked to the local Safeway store where I met a few others from my school. We would haul out the picket signs, flyers and spend our mornings walking up and down the sidewalk with picket signs asking buyers to not buy grapes. I really understood only one thing, life was miserable for these workers and maybe somehow I might make a difference. The other girls were much more informed than I, but I was faithful.
Last night I went online to read more about him, since here in California, today is a State holiday to honor the man. He really was such a spokesman for community, and seemed to have a healthy perspective of culture and dignity.
Found some quotes I like a lot:
"People who have lost their hunger for justice are not ultimately powerful. They are like sick people who have lost their appetite for what is truly nourishing. Such sick people should not frighten or discourage us. They should be prayed for along with the sick people who are in the hospital."
"In this world it is possible to achieve great material wealth, to live an opulent life. But a life built upon those things alone leaves a shallow legacy, in the end, we will be judged by other standards."
"It is possible to become discouraged about the injustice we see everywhere. But God did not promise us that the world would be humane and just. He gives us the gift of life and allows us to choose the way we well use our limited time on earth. It is an awesome opportunity."
Viva Cesar Chevez!
Last night I went online to read more about him, since here in California, today is a State holiday to honor the man. He really was such a spokesman for community, and seemed to have a healthy perspective of culture and dignity.
Found some quotes I like a lot:
"People who have lost their hunger for justice are not ultimately powerful. They are like sick people who have lost their appetite for what is truly nourishing. Such sick people should not frighten or discourage us. They should be prayed for along with the sick people who are in the hospital."
"In this world it is possible to achieve great material wealth, to live an opulent life. But a life built upon those things alone leaves a shallow legacy, in the end, we will be judged by other standards."
"It is possible to become discouraged about the injustice we see everywhere. But God did not promise us that the world would be humane and just. He gives us the gift of life and allows us to choose the way we well use our limited time on earth. It is an awesome opportunity."
Viva Cesar Chevez!