Identify with Chavez or not, we cannot deny his impact
One of the strengths of public education is the voice of its community. Here in Kern County, we are fortunate to have an active and caring community that advocates for the rights of all children and adults. Among the many voices in our county that raised awareness about equity and access was that of Cesar E. Chavez. Chavez established the largest farmworker organization across America in our neighboring city of Delano. In 1971, Chavez’s homegrown organization became the United Farm Workers of America. He used principles of nonviolence with strikes and boycotts aimed at improving working conditions for farmworkers. Chavez remained president of the UFW until his death on April 23, 1993.
One of the greatest legacies Chavez left us all was his principle of nonviolence. He was able to create social change through the power of relationships and finding commonalities in the human spirit in spite of our differences. He relentlessly campaigned against racial and socioeconomic discrimination; he was committed to social justice and respect for human dignity. Chavez’s trademark phrase, "Si se puede!" (yes we can!), has been widely cited and continues to inspire young children and adults in this country to overcome life’s challenges through persistence in achieving the American dream.
Through advocacy, Chavez challenged historical inequalities and insisted that all individuals share in the basic human rights afforded to us in this country. In this same way, public education, the great equalizer, shares in the hope that regardless of personal and social background, we all are entitled to a free, quality public education. The significance therefore of naming a school in the Bakersfield City School District and in the Delano Joint Union High School District after Cesar E. Chavez represents more than simple memorials. Those schools represent public symbols of our community’s values, attitudes, and principles that both commemorate who he was as an individual and honor his dedication to improving the quality of life in our local communities.
The naming of two schools after the civil rights leader also represents the collective commitment we have made to carrying on his legacy, to preserve and recognize the historical experiences of the struggle for human rights in general. While some may argue that they have difficulty in personally identifying with Chavez and his legacy, we can all identify with the importance of struggling for what is right and advocating for social justice regardless of our cultural background.
Schools play a critical role in shaping the collective memory and identity of our young students and the larger community. The naming of schools after historical figures is a significant way of communicating past accomplishments and the realm of possibilities ahead. The marriage of our history to the physical environment is a prominent way to demonstrate the vision Chavez had for all people of Kern County and the nation. His message was simple yet powerful: "Si se puede!"
Lillian Tafoya is a trustee for the Bakersfield City School District.
Lillian Tafoya