Chapter 22: Voices Of Protest "Chávez and the UFW"

Introduction As you learned in this chapter, César Chávez organized the United Farm Workers (UFW), a union whose members are primarily Hispanic American, to provide better working conditions for farm workers. His mission was to restore dignity to not just the migrant farm worker, but to all Hispanic Americans. Chávez stated, "How could we progress as a people . . . while the farm workers—men and women of our color—were condemned to a life without pride?" Through strikes, boycotts, marches, arrests, and prison, he worked to organize farm workers and to make the Hispanic American voice heard. For his dedication, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom—America's highest civilian honor. Destination Title: Viva César E. Chávez! Note: Clicking on the link above will launch a new browser window. Need help using your browser for this activity? Click here for tips. Directions Start at the Viva César E. Chávez! Web site. Browse through the site, making sure to read the main links—Achievements, Biography, Chronology, and The Union & The Strike—on the page. If time permits, also click on and read through the links on the left side. After you have read through the information, answer the following questions. 1. Describe the social barriers that Chávez experienced early in life. 2. Describe the conditions under which farm workers labored as Chávez grew up. 3. In his call for a strike as outlined in The Union & The Strike, what specific conditions does Chávez want to change? 4. How have Chávez's achievements been recognized? 5. César Chávez passed away in 1993. Imagine you are a reporter who has covered the activities of Chávez since the grape strike in 1965. Write a biography to be placed in your newspaper after his death that summarizes the achievements of this labor leader.