Civil Right Leader- Cesar Chavez

Civil rights leaders are important personalities in any society. These leaders devote their life and input to fighting and agitating for the rights of the oppressed and those whom their human rights is not upheld by the society. One of the famous civil rights leader who is well remembered for his effort in ensuring that the oppressed are freed is Cesar Chavez. He left a legacy that every person admires. Cesar was a Mexican American labor leader born in 1927 and died in 1993 (United for Human Rights 1). He is one of the civil rights leaders who used non-violent methods infighting and agitating for the rights of the migrants who worked in the agricultural farms. Cesar contributed a lot in liberating the workers in the farms.

A civil rights leader should be a person who puts the interest of the subjects beyond his/her personal interests. This attributes are exhibited in Cesar. He was a devoted leader who worked tirelessly to ensure that farmers living and working conditions are improved. Workers worked under poor conditions; they were underpaid and over-worked. Though his initiative, he mobilized worker to form associations that aided them in calling for respect of their rights. He presided over the formation of a union called United Farm workers of America (EnchntedLearning.com 3). This union objective was to help address the adversaries that farm laborers went through. He recognized that workers were important people, were also human beings, and were entitled to good working condition and treatment from their employers.

The union helped to address economic injustices that workers suffered at their work place. They were exploited through payment of low wages that could not sustain them. These laborers were exposed to poor working condition such as exposure to pesticides, which could make them sick and develop complications. There wore no protective clothing. Through the union, Cesar helped to mobilize workers and compel the employers to provide good working conditions.

Cesar was a leader worth emulation in the manner he led the workers in agitating for their rights. He was a leader that believed in peace and most of his civil rights demands were done in a civilized way such as signing of memorandums, meetings and through consensus that were fully abiding to both parties.

Furthermore, Cesar as opposed to other civil leaders, helped in agitating for the rights of the minority and those that were discriminated by the majority. The issue of race, skin color was a big issue in many organizations. Cesar contributed in ensuring that all human beings irrespective of their race, skin color, status, cultures, language spoken, are able to be respected and provided with the required needs such as access to education and good working condition among many other rights enjoyed by the majority (Cesar Chavez Foundation 1).

Cesar has also contributed to the improvement of services and provision of better term of employment to many organizations. The courage and the selfless nature of Cesar inspire many young people who put on a spirited fight to fight for the rights of the oppressed people in either the government or in the private sector. Cesar employed many strategies in helping the oppressed workers and those discriminated through use of strikes, boycotts of work, hunger strike. These strategies aimed at triggering enforcement of laws by the legislatures; laws that would allow provision of good working condition and good working environment for employees. Other strategy that were used and which are still used to by other civil rights organizations and leaders is petitions and absconding of duties.

In conclusion, it is no doubt that Cesar actually helped or rather contributed in the uplifting of human rights. He is a person that is worth recognition and applause for his courage and selfless interest in fighting for a justice society, which is able to provide good-working environment for its employees. His commitment to social justice bored fruits and his determination acted as a role model to other countries that had poor laws and which undermined the rights of their workers. Hence, he indirectly impacted on the way employees and employers relate improving the workers conditions worldwide.

Works Cited

United for Human Rights. (2008). Champions of human rights (Cesar Chavez (1927-1993). Retrieved from http://www.humanrights.com/voices-for-human-rights/c%C3%A9sar- ch%C3%A1vez.html

Cesar Chavez Foundation. (2012). History and accomplishments. Retrieved from http://www.chavezfoundation.org/_page.php?code=014001000000000&page_ttl=History +and+Accomplishments&kind=1

EnchntedLearning.com (2005). Cesar Chavez: Labor leader. Retrieved from http://www.enchantedlearning.com/history/us/hispanicamerican/chavez/