Civil rights has too often been a catch phrase used by some politicians who cannot define what a civil right is But César Chávez, who was not a politician, knew the difference between right and wrong which is the foundation of all civil rights and moral behavior. He learned about justice and injustice early in life when his father was swindled out of their Arizona home when César was ten years old."

That indelible experience may have influenced César, one of America's great civil rights leaders, to never own a home. He always lived simply, owned few possessions, and never earned more than $6,000 in a year, Howeve, President Clinton, in posthumously awarding Cesar the Medal of Freedom in 1994, declared, "Cesar Chavez left our world better than he found it, and his legacy inspires us still. He was for his own people a Moses figure. The farm workers who labored in the fields pinned their hopes on this remarkable man."

In 1962 César founded the National Farm Workers Association, later to become the United Farm Workers (UFW). By 1970 the UFW was able to persuade grape growers to accept union contracts and had effectively organized most of that industry, at one point in time claiming 50,000 dues paying members. César made people aware of the struggles of farm workers for better pay and safer working conditions. He succeeded through nonviolent tactics (boycotts, pickets, and strikes). Cesar and the union sought recognition of the importance and dignity of all farm worker.

On August 23, 1970, the Salad Bowl strike began which was a series of strikes, mass pickets, boycotts, and secondary boycotts which led to the largest farm worker strike in US history. The strike was led by the United Farm Workers against the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The bitter strike ended on March 26, 1971 when the Teamsters and UFW signed a new jurisdictional agreement reaffirming the UFW's right to organize field workers. Afterwards César reminded everyone that “The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It is always about people.”

The 1980's saw a decline in the UFW’s size, and its national significance. Cesar and the UFW concentrated on educating the public on the dangers of pesticides, both to consumers and farmworkers. The farmworkers built a network of radio stations, and created low cost housing for farmworkers.

After his death in 1993, César became a major historical icon for the Latino community, and for liberals generally, symbolizing militant support for workers and for Hispanic power based on grass roots organizing. His supporters say his work led to numerous improvements for union laborers. His birthday has become César Chávez Day, a state holiday in eight US states. Many parks, cultural centers, libraries, schools, and streets have been named in his honor in cities across the United States.

So on César's birthday, an appropriate tribute might be lettuce soup as a reminder of the challenges that farmworkers have had to face to bring this staple to our tables. Enjoy it while watching The Fight in the Fields: Cesar Chavez and the Farmworkers' Struggle (2011).

Lettuce Soup