However important the struggle is and however much misery and poverty and degradation exist, we know that it cannot be more important than one human life. Cesar Chavez More Quotes by Cesar Chavez More Quotes From Cesar Chavez These observations tie in directly with the whole question of organizing. Why do we have leaders? We put some people out in the fields and all of a sudden they hit, they click. Everyone's happy with them and they begin to move mountains. With other people there are problems and heartaches. They just don't go. When we look and see what's happening, almost invariably the differences are along the lines of willingness to sacrifice and work long hours. Cesar Chavez sacrifice leadership moving Farm workers everywhere are angry and worried that we cannot win without violence. We have proved it before through persistence, hard work, faith and willingness to sacrifice. We can win and keep our own self-respect and build a great union that will secure the spirit of all people if we do it through a re-dedication and re-commitment to the struggle for justice through non-violence. Cesar Chavez hard-work struggle commitment I think one of the great, great problems...is confusing people to the point where they become immobile. In fact, the more things people can find out for themselves, the more vigor the organization is going to have. Cesar Chavez organization people thinking Our union represents a breaking away...represents sharing a power, represent questioning, represents a new force...however long it takes, we are geared for a struggle. Cesar Chavez breaking-away struggle long If they had $2.00 for food, they had to give $1.00 to the union. Otherwise, they would never get out of the trap of poverty. They would never have a union because they couldn't afford to sacrifice a little bit more on top of their misery. Cesar Chavez sacrifice littles giving We are tired of words, of betrayals, of indifference...they years are gone when the farm worker said nothing an did nothing to help himself...Now we have new faith. Through our strong will, our movement is changing these conditions...We shall be heard. Cesar Chavez betrayal tired strong If you win non-violently, then you have a double victory, you have not only won your fight, but you remain free. Cesar Chavez victory fighting winning This is the beginning of a social movement in fact and not in pronouncements. We seek our basic, God - given rights as human beings...We shall do it without violence because it is our destiny. To the growers and to all who oppose us, we say the words of Benito Juarez: `Respect for another's right is the meaning of peace.' Cesar Chavez destiny movement rights In this world it is possible to achieve great material wealth, to live an opulent life. But a life built upon those things alone leaves a shallow legacy. In the end, we will be judged by other standards. Cesar Chavez legacy commitment world I have met many, many farm workers and friends who love justice and who are willing to sacrifice for what is right. They have a quality about them that reminds me of the beatitudes. They are living examples that Jesus' promise is true: they have ben hungry and thirsty for righteousness and they have been satisfied. They are determined, patient people who believe in life and who give strength to others. They have given me more love and hope and strength than they will ever know. Cesar Chavez sacrifice believe jesus If you're outraged at conditions, then you can't possibly be free or happy until you devote all your time to changing them and do nothing but that. But you can't change anything if you want to hold onto a good job, a good way of life and avoid sacrifice. Cesar Chavez sacrifice want jobs We're going to pray a lot and picket a lot. Cesar Chavez praying We shall strike. We shall organize boycotts. We shall demonstrate and have political campaigns. We shall pursue the revolution we have proposed. We are sons and daughters of the farm workers' revolution, a revolution of the poor seeking bread and justice. Cesar Chavez daughter justice son We don't know how God chooses martyrs. We do know that they give us the most precious gift they possess - their very lives. Cesar Chavez martyr precious-gifts giving The road to social justice for the farm worker is the road of unionization. Our cause, our strike against table grapes and our international boycott are all founded upon our deep conviction that the form of collective self-help, which is unionization, holds far more hope for the farm worker than any other single approach, whether public or private. This conviction is what brings spirit, high hope and optimism to everything we do. Cesar Chavez optimism self justice When poor people get involved in a long conflict, such as a strike or a civil rights drive, and the pressure increases each day, there is a deep need for spiritual advice. Without it, we see families crumble, leadership weaken, and hard workers grow tired. Cesar Chavez day tired leadership people We learned many years ago that the rich may have money, but the poor have time. Cesar Chavez rich poor money time It is my deepest belief that only by giving our lives do we find life. I am convinced that the truest act of courage, the strongest act of manliness is to sacrifice ourselves for others in a totally non-violent struggle for justice. Cesar Chavez i-am struggle courage life Without a union, the people are always cheated, and they are so innocent. Cesar Chavez without always innocent people There is no law for farm labor organizing, save the law of the jungle. Cesar Chavez farm jungle labor law
