Editor-In-Chief
AUSTIN, Texas - The fields of California's San Joaquin Valley still carry the blood, sweat and tears of farmworker saint Cesar E. Chavez. No one disputes that. Not even the farmers who once tried to quiet him, buy him and deport him. Chavez's battles for farmworkers are still vivid in the minds of Hispanics and other Americans who fought for a more humane treatment of the nation's crop pickers.
An article in yesterday's New York Times tells about a lawsuit filed by Chavez's youngest son, 51-year-old Anthony, against his older brother, Paul, 54, and the family's farmworker foundation. As explained, the lawsuit alleges Paul fired Anthony from his job after Anthony declined to fire an employee who had stolen $500,000 from the organization.
Anthony claims he is being squeezed out of the family enterprise.
It's been almost 20 years since Cesar Chavez's death in 1993, and the farmworker situation is not what it used to be in the 1960s and 1970s, when Chavez called harvest strikes against lettuce and grape farms while fighting for better pay and tools.
In the interim, the foundation now overseen by his sons has pretty much wallowed in nothing of any substance. "It has become a family-run organization that is sort of purpose-less and does little or nothing to help farm workers," writer Miriam Pawel, who has authored a book about the union, told The Times.
Some family members blame Paul Chavez for taking over the organization and, said one former employee in The Times report, is getting rid of those he does not get along with or who queston his decisions. Others in the organization charge that Paul Chavez has done little for farm workers and focused more on bringing in money from a variety of supporting sources.
"Paul cares more about building his assets than helping people," said Liz Villarino, one of Cesar Chavez's daughters. "He wants all the power, to be the go-to person whenever people have questions about his father and his legacy and create his own little empire."
Helen Chavez, Cesar's ailing 83-year-old widow, has been kept out of the loop.
Said Mike Davis, a former activist for the union and the crusade's historian, "We have this wonderful myth and a model for kids to emulate Cesar Chavez, but you could basically go to any field and rewrite 'The Grapes of Wrath' all over again."
It is a sad episode in a great man's life...
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17 comments:
exellent story. THankz. Chavez remains a big man in the Valley.
Dear Mr. Tyson,
Now that we see you are not so much just the right cross, but still have the left hook, the right uppercut and, what appears to be a left hook to the body, you my continue to pummel Fat Jesus for our delighted amusement.
Much more creative. Bravo!
The Peeps
He was just another Por and ignorant COMMUNIST / SOCIALIST ... according to the Ruling Anglo - Saxon Elite ruling Class !!!
What a scam, I worked as a Union employee for many years and believe me. It was like a breath of fresh air.
It always happens parents build something and the family destroys it.
Cesar Chavez was and is a giant. His kids are just spoiled. nice article.
Chapaneco is history. why bother with this flea? MyHarlingenNews II is much, much beter than chapete's dead blog. LOL!
Cesar Chavez, Looks very educated and sophisticated High - class Man
Mr. Editor, sometime back Chapaneco broadcasted, he was coming with something new. I have read the new blog in South Texas and the stuff is just the same old same old. I think i will stick to Jerry's blog and the Trib
Chapaneco would blame you. He is envious of you and everybody can see that. IGNORE HIM! that's what I do.
Chapaneco would blame you. He is envious of you and everybody can see that. IGNORE HIM! that's what I do.
The wings have to pay the rent in order for them to use Harlingen Field $40.000 dollars is a lot of Money.
I think Chapaneco's relative is running the new blog, nothing new, just the same old crap.
Sorry, Chapaneco you aren't fooling anyone, I noticed Jakestar is up to his filthy comments.
Has Chapa said where he's filing his complaint? I don't know of any agency that would bother. You play on the Internet you take your lumps, vato loco.
Still laughing about Chapa's second blog. THAT GUY NEEDS A JOB FAST! But the second one is better. Some comic, huh? love it.
Que for the people Que Nada. Just follow the money!!!!!!!!!!
Que for the people Que Nada. Just follow the money!!!!!!!!!!
I hope the Wings pay the light bill, and although the team is about as worhtless as they come. As a tax=payer I believve we must live up to our commitments, that includes the Wingers.re
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