Many know of Cesar Chávez, the brave man who fought against the maltreatment of farmworkers by large agriculture companies in California during the 1960s until his death in 1993. He founded the National Association of Farmworkers—later named the United Farmworkers or UFW—and organized many effective marches, boycotts, and hunger strikes in collaboration with other leaders, such as Dolores Huerta. In addition to these political feats, Chavez did something even more profound for racial minorities in the United States—he showed us how racial unity and pride can dismantle even the strongest social injustices.

Born in Yuma, Arizona in 1927, Chávez spent much of his childhood traveling across California helping his parents find work in the fields. School was difficult for him; segregation in classroom was rampant and it was prohibited to speak Spanish. These restrictions, in combination with his father falling ill, caused Chávez to drop out of school in the 8th grade and go to work in the fields instead. During the next few years, Chávez witnessed and became a victim to the immense discrimination posed by landowners. Rather than suffer silently, however, Chávez would use these injustices as motivation to work towards social and political change.

Three years after the establishment of the UFW in 1965, Filipino-American farmworkers were protesting against unfair wages and bad working conditions imposed upon them by grape companies in Delano, California. They wanted Chávez and the UFW to combine forces with them to create a large-scale strike. Chávez agreed because he wanted to illustrate that all farmworkers, despite racial and cultural differences, were united and ready to fight for justice in the fields. During the next 5 years, Chávez helped lead a boycott of grapes, a dangerous hunger strike that lasted 25 days, and a 300 mile march from Delano to Sacramento in which images of the Virgin Mary and black and red UFW eagle gave strength and inspiration to Latino farmworkers. Finally, in 1970, the company signed a contract with the union and the farmworkers that promised better wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Only one example of many accomplishments, the grape strike in Delano signified Chávez’s dedication to peaceful protest and his belief of strength in cultural unity and pride. Though he died in his sleep during yet another hunger strike, Chávez fought for the legitimization and inclusion of the marginalized. There is no doubt that many will continue to learn and appreciate the significance of his work in the years to come.