Arch-Bishop Gomez on César Chávez
We could not be happier in L.A. to have our new Archbishop who replaced the controversial Cardinal Mahoney in February. The first published writing I've read from His Excellency was an interesting tribute to César Chávez. (We have a decently observed "César Chávez Day" here in California.)
The complicated César Chávez deserves to be venerated on a certain scale. His work represents the last time we needed any kind of loud labor movement. The ones doing it now on behalf of public employees aren't getting through to me. They're not fighting for a glass of water and a toilet after working 12 hours in a field suffering from kidney failure and back problems, or for child labor abuses. They want more money for less work? Oh. So do I. Good luck with that one.
Elections have consequences. Get your fellow travelers elected if you are upset.
Archbishop Gomez wanted to highlight Chávez' faith as well. According to the article he was something of a daily communicant and was faithful to a daily holy hour. He seldom held an event without a holy mass to kick it off. I didn't know these things.
I had heard that he marched to Tijuana to protest the porous nature of our southern border, which drives wages, benefits, and working conditions in the wrong direction. This legend seems true and despite his other curious and potentially anti-American tendencies, he should be recognized for this brave support of the laws of supply and demand in the labor market. A latino leader could not be that honest today.
Does he deserve a holiday? Probably. Canonized? Probably not, but I hold him up as a real labor leader, fighting for workers, not sponges. Formed by Opus Dei, Archbishop Gomez knows a little something about work. So far, so good.
I know everyone can find scandalous facts about Chávez and post them here, and I know I can't prevent that. So I guess, let's get it over with.
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Oct '10
Re: Arch-Bishop Gomez on César Chávez
Joe Escalante
I had heard that he marched to Tijuana to protest the porous nature of our southern border, which drives wages, benefits, and working conditions in the wrong direction. This legend seems true and despite his other curious and potentially anti-American tendencies, he should be recognized for this brave support of the laws of supply and demand in the labor market. A latino leader could not be that honest today.
Times have changed. He sounds like Mickey Kaus. And he's right--American workers cannot compete with cheap foreign labor.
Expensive Big Name American actors are also losing their jobs to British actors who are being asked to play American roles (eg Superman, Spiderman)
Edited on Apr 15, 2011 at 12:48amJul '10
Re: Arch-Bishop Gomez on César Chávez
I know very little about César.
I generally save all of my sniping for the Other Icon of the Hip Left; Che.
Oct '10
Re: Arch-Bishop Gomez on César Chávez
I'm with ya Jaydee. So far as I've heard, Chavez never shot a recalcitrant peasant in the back of the head. You'd think Progressives wouldn't have time for such a thin resume. Oh, wait ...
Jan '11
Re: Arch-Bishop Gomez on César Chávez
My father worked in the labor movement (and held a day job) when it was the cream of the working class, not the scum of the middle class. There WAS a just cause back there somewhere, and we shouldn't deny that history. Neither should we allow it to obscure the reality of the present - we should not be condemned for the sins of our fathers, nor redeemed by their virtue. The unions in all western nations are a worthless leech on the social welfare corpse. Rest in peace, César - I'll say a novena for the eternal rest of your soul, then another to save us from your poisonous offspring.
Jun '10
Re: Arch-Bishop Gomez on César Chávez
Fred Ross was among the most influential, skilled, dedicated and successful of the community organizers who have done so much for the underdogs of American society. Yet most people have never heard of Ross [...] That, however, is exactly how Fred Ross wanted it. He saw his job as training others to assume leadership and the public recognition that accompanies it. [...] including farm worker leader Cesar Chavez. Chavez was a typical Ross trainee - a poor, inexperienced member of an oppressed minority who was inspired to mobilize others like him to stand up to their oppressors. "Fred did such a good job of explaining how poor people could build power I could taste it," Chavez recalled. Chavez was among the Mexican-Americans living in California's barrios in the 1950s that Ross, then with Saul Alinsky's Industrial Areas Foundation, was helping form political blocs to demand improvements in the woefully inadequate community services [...] Within just a few years, the small organizations formed by the residents of particular barrios joined into a potent statewide group, the Community Services Organization, headed by Chavez. A few years later, Chavez founded what became the United Farm Workers union. [from: http://www.dickmeister.com/id73.html]
Feb '11
Re: Arch-Bishop Gomez on César Chávez
I'm sorry but I have very ambivalent perceptions of Cesar Chavez. There are too many stories detailing how he abused his power, pocketed union money for his personal use, the list could go on. The fact that he was trained by a Alinsky disciple raises even more red flags. I am Latina and have always found it puzzling that he has a holiday. If you ask most latinos why there should be a holiday in honor of Cesar, you usually get a blank stare or head scratches. His so called "achievements" don't seem to rise to the level his hagiographers want.
Jun '10
Re: Arch-Bishop Gomez on César Chávez
Like Rosie, I've been in the ambivalent camp. That said, people are infinitely complicated, and I certainly don't know details about Chavez--he may have been far more positive than negative.
On the other hand, I have a real reservation about declaring holidays willy-nilly. There aren't all that many great men and women, but there are far too many to declare a holiday for each one. We dispensed with Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays--if they don't deserve a named holiday then no others do (and a generic "Presidents' Day" doesn't do).
Putting Clinton and "The One" under the same umbrella with Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Silent Cal, Ike, or Reagan is disgusting.
Edited on Apr 15, 2011 at 10:22amRe: Arch-Bishop Gomez on César Chávez
Good point Tabula, if his holiday is a bone thrown to Mexicans, it's an insult, not an honor. As time goes by it will be interesting to see how Chavez' legacy grows or gets distorted.
However, great discussion. I am proud to be involved with Ricochet. Thanks everyone.
Jun '10
Re: Arch-Bishop Gomez on César Chávez
I completely trust Archbishop Gomez and Joe is much smarter than I...
but I just get uneasy when I see "worker's movement" and "Catholic Church" put in the same sentence.