This paper will introduce the Mexican American labour organizer Cesar Chavez to the reader. Since he was an important and inspiring person for the marginalized labour movement in the United States in the 1960s and 70s, his organization United Farm Workers Organization Committee (UFWOC), his achievements, beliefs and methods will be closely examined in this paper. His understanding of social change and shifting the power relations between workers and employers was closely linked with nonviolent action. Furthermore, the reasons for the non-violent actions will be analysed through the Ration Action Theory.
The paper consists of two parts: The first part will elaborate on the problems for foreigner field workers, how the organization and the social worker movement La Causa could be a solution to that and the meaning of Chavez persona and his methods. The second part of the paper follows the research question: Why is non-violence an adequate strategy to fight injustice on the farm fields?
At a glance
- Grade: 1.3 (1.0 is the best grade)
- Applies Rational Action Theory to farmworkers’ participation in nonviolent protest
- Examines the Delano grape strike and a boycott involving Schenley Industries
- 15 sources in the bibliography
Table of Contents
The document does not contain a table of contents.
Aims and Topics
This paper examines Cesar Chavez’s leadership of the farmworkers’ movement in the United States, focusing on his ideals, organizing methods and understanding of social change. It asks why nonviolence was an adequate strategy for fighting injustice in agricultural fields and uses Rational Action Theory to examine the incentives and constraints associated with participation.
- Farmworkers’ working and living conditions
- The organization and campaigns of the farmworkers’ union
- Chavez’s beliefs, religious influences and leadership
- Nonviolent strikes, boycotts, marches and fasting
- Social change and the mobilization of supporters
- Rational Action Theory and participation in protest
Excerpt from the Book
Cesar´s understanding of nonviolence
The commitment to nonviolence of the Union was the essential constant, facilitating the success of the worker union. The purpose of nonviolence will be further explained.
The use of force is the threat or infliction of physical injuries and the basis for exercising power and domination (Max Weber in Scherr 2006: 112). Violence or the use of force is to differentiate in “physical violence”, "psychological violence" and “structural violence”. Structural violence means the limitation of access to resources and opportunities for free speech. This is intended to emphasize that individuals can also be impaired in their physical and psychological integrity by social structures through body-related violence (idem).
Throughout his life, Chavez avoided academic theorizing, preferring instead to emphasize on actions that provide concrete social change. For this reason, he rarely said a word about nonviolence as a philosophy (Maya 2019: 613). But Chavez’s distrust with theories of elites and professionals disconnected from the lived realities of farmworkers did not prevent him from practicing them. “He clearly thought injuring or killing people and damaging or destroying property counted as violence” (Maya 2019: 611). Threats, name-calling, and even feelings of anger were also included in his definition of violence.
Cesar’s early commitment to nonviolence was influenced through his self-education in reading Gandhi and other pacifists, from Catholic teachings, especially by Father Donald Mc Donnell, and his mother’s guidance. He and the union used peaceful tools including strikes, boycotts, and marches to inform externals about their cause (B. Collard II 2010: 19). The Union was reaching for a nonviolent revolution (Scharff 2008: 5). From the beginning, they had pursued justice with the right intention and with a justified strategy (Maya 2019: 220). Even those who had a just cause could be in the wrong if they use violence to achieve this justice. “True justice should be open to reconciliation between oppressor and oppressed, and therefore, the struggle for justice must leave one open to reconciliation. (…) Hatred and revenge can begin to deform one’s character and the character of the movement“(Maya 2019: 220).
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: The paper introduces Chavez and sets out its research question about nonviolence as a strategy for farmworkers.
Farm workers in the U.S. during the 19th and 20th Century: This section describes agricultural labour conditions and Chavez’s experiences as a migrant worker.
The Worker Union: This section traces Chavez’s organizing work, the development of the union and campaigns including strikes and boycotts.
Cesar’s beliefs and objectives: This section discusses his personal commitments, religious influences, organizing goals and approach to inclusion.
Cesar´s understanding of nonviolence: This section examines his understanding of violence and nonviolence, the challenges facing the union and his use of fasting.
Chavez and social change: This section considers social change in relation to the movement’s educational efforts and public campaigns.
Nonviolence upon the Rational Action Theory: This section applies the theory to participation, considering perceived influence, state sanctions, social incentives and mass mobilization.
Conclusion: The paper revisits Chavez’s legacy and its research question, while noting possible directions for further research.
Keywords
Cesar Chavez, farmworkers, labour movement, nonviolence, Rational Action Theory, social change, United Farm Workers, Delano grape strike, boycotts, collective action, social incentives, state sanctions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this paper about?
It examines Cesar Chavez’s role in the American farmworkers’ movement and his commitment to nonviolent action.
What are its central themes?
Its themes include agricultural labour conditions, union organizing, nonviolence, social change and participation in protest.
What is the main research question?
The paper asks why nonviolence was an adequate strategy for fighting injustice in agricultural fields.
What scholarly method does the paper use?
It uses Rational Action Theory as a framework for analysing the incentives and constraints associated with nonviolent participation, drawing on published sources.
What does the main body cover?
It discusses farmworkers’ conditions, the union’s development, Chavez’s beliefs and tactics, social change and the application of Rational Action Theory.
Which keywords characterize the paper?
Key terms include Cesar Chavez, farmworkers, nonviolence, labour movement, social change and Rational Action Theory.
Which union campaigns does the paper discuss?
It discusses the Delano grape strike, a national boycott of grapes and wine, and a march to Sacramento.
How does the paper address Chavez’s use of fasting?
It describes his 1968 fast in the context of debate within the union over its commitment to nonviolent tactics.
Which factors does the theoretical analysis consider?
It considers dissatisfaction, perceived personal influence, state sanctions, social incentives and mass mobilization.
- Quote paper
- Sophia Khatri (Author), 2020, Cesar Chavez. Leader, Organizer and Mexican American Hero in Labour History, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/996793
