Monday, April 15, 1996
Library exhibit showcases César Chávez’s life and his
many contributions to the labor movementBy Toni Dimayuga
Daily Bruin Contributor
When Dolores Huerta spoke at the University Research Library
Saturday night, her strong voice and message commanded
attention.
"We can make noise today because we’re talking about
César’s life," the woman said. "¡Qué viva la
César Chávez! ¡Qué viva la raza! ¡Qué
viva la justicia!" she yelled as the crowd cheered with her.
"¡Abajo! Down with racism! Down with sexism! Down with
homophobia! Down with pesticides in grapes! Down with Newt and
Wilson!" she yelled, her fist in the air.
Huerta, first vice president and co-founder of the United Farm
Workers union, was the guest of honor at the opening reception for
a new University Research Library exhibit commemorating César
Chávez. The exhibit, titled "¡SÃ, se puede!
César Chávez and his Legacy," showcases Chávez’s
contribution to the labor movement in California and his
non-violent strategy for effecting social change.
Chávez, who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Huerta,
rallied farm workers and the public around the struggle for better
working conditions for farm laborers. Chávez passed away in
April of 1993.
The exhibit includes original documents he wrote. The letters
detail the use of harmful pesticides in fruits and vegetables
 especially grapes and lettuce  and the plight of
migrant farm workers. Books illustrating the leader’s life and work
and posters depicting the movement are encased in glass, and
pictures of Chávez canvas the walls.
In one glass case, a collection of buttons with varying slogans
such as "No uvas" (no grapes), and "Boycott lettuce" rest on red
cloth. Another bears a picture of Chávez alongside the
message, "No Violencia es Nuestra Fuerza" (Nonviolence is our
strength).
Roberta Medford, social science bibliographer at the library and
a member of the exhibit committee, said that she was "thrilled to
pieces," by the event. Mateo Latosa, a guest of one of the event’s
website designers, said that it was an honor to be at the reception
with Huerta, and praised the exhibit.
"I think the exhibit has a nice diverse collection of text and
things from the past. It was very inspiring," Latosa said.
Others believed the exhibit’s strength lies in its reminder to
the public that the United Farm Workers union is still an active
lobbying group. Paulina Gonzalez, a third-year sociology student
who worked with the United Farm Workers from 1993 to 1995, hoped
the exhibit will expose more people to activism.
"We’re getting the message across that the union is still alive.
A lot of people aren’t aware that the union is still very active
and as it becomes more and more public people will want to get
involved," Gonzalez said.
During her speech, Huerta emphasized the importance of keeping
Chávez’s legacy alive.
"It’s a very painful, and very sad history, in a way, but at the
same time we know that many thousands, hundreds of thousands of
farm workers have benefitted," Huerta said. "Many people thought
that when César was gone, that was going to be the end of the
union. But the mark of a great leader is what stays on after he
leaves … We can do anything if we organize and learn how to work
together."
After her speech, Huerta told The Bruin she believed Chávez
himself would have been pleased with the exhibit.
"He’s a very humble person, but I think he would have been glad,
because it shows the struggle of farm workers (and is) not so much
about himself," she said.
Huerta also explained that students can do their part by getting
involved, boycotting grapes, forming support committees and joining
the United Farm Workers union to learn how to organize and make a
commitment to other people.
UCLA is also hosting other exhibits focusing on César
Chávez and farm workers’ health issues. An exhibit focusing on
the use of the short-handled hoe and pesticides will appear in the
Biomedical Library in about two weeks, said Norma Corral, co-chair
of the César Chávez Exhibit committee. Another exhibit is
currently on display outside the Chicano Studies Library.
A website on César Chávez, which includes portions of
the exhibit, can be found at:
http://latino.sscnet.ucla.edu/research/chávez/
Check portions of the exhibit at
http://www.latino.sscnet.ucla.edu/research/chavez/
Dolores Huerta (above), first vice president and co-founder of
the United Farm Workers Union, speaks at the new César
Chávez exhibit in the University Research Library (below). The
exhibit opened Saturday night and garnered many positive responses
from reception guests.