Honoring César Chávez--and His Call to Stop Eating Animals
Published March 31, 2009 @ 06:55AM PT
Today is the late César Chávez's birthday, and it is being celebrated as an official state holiday in California and other states. The Cesar E. Chávez National Holiday Web site tells us much about the admirable man for whom many of us, including President Barack Obama, want to see a national holiday. Yet despite a long "About" page detailing Chávez's life, beliefs, activism, and many accomplishments, there's not a word about the strong position he held regarding nonviolence toward animals. Not a word about his commitment to vegetarianism (including not only a vegetarian but even a vegan diet for at least some period) for the last 25 years of his life. Not a word about his opposition to exploitation of animals on all fronts, including research, "sport," and entertainment. The same can be said of the many news articles that are noting today's significance.
And this is inexcusable.
-Continue after the jump-
It's inexcusable that when we talk about luminaries such as Coretta Scott King, who was a committed vegan for the last decade-plus of her life, and César Chávez, who defended animals so unequivocally, we celebrate their work on behalf of humans and completely ignore their positions on animals. Could it be that their realizations and decisions in this area are boxed away and rarely spoken of because they challenge the rest of us to come to the same realizations and decisions? Could it be that those who are made uncomfortable by those views, because of their own continued exploitation and consumption of animals, choose not to give attention to their heroes' stances on animal issues? Is the compassion toward animals they modeled and encouraged too challenging?
Chávez did not just stop eating animals and stop supporting animal exploitation himself and call it a personal choice. He called on others to do the same, including many of his friends within the farm labor movement:
"Cesar took genuine pride in producing numerous converts to vegetarianism over the decades. You’re looking at one of them," UFW president Arturo Rodriguez said in 1996 during a speech at a farm conference. "He felt so strongly about it that sometimes I think he took as much personal satisfaction from converting people to vegetarianism as he did to trade unionism."
His niece similarly reported on Chávez's influence, in Más Magazine:
Camila Chavez found her transition to a vegetarian lifestyle not only easy, but also saw it as a way to honor her uncle Cesar E. Chavez, co-founder of the United Farm Workers union.
“Cesar was a vegan. He didn’t eat any animal products. He was a vegan because he believed in animal rights but also for his health,” Chavez said. “Growing up I was always surrounded by vegetarians and vegetarian meals were always an option. When Cesar died, I decided to become a vegetarian in honor of him.”
He took the philosophies of compassion and nonviolence to their logical next step. And my assumption is that most people just don't know this. But those who celebrate Chávez and yet knowingly ignore his call for the end of exploitation of animals, knowingly leave it out of his biography--because it's not convenient, because they don't want to stop exploiting and killing animals themselves--are doing his memory a dishonor.
César Chávez said, in 1992, during his acceptance of a Lifetime Achievement Award from In Defense of Animals,
We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to make all people understand that animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect them and love them as we love ourselves. And that's the basis for peace. The basis for peace is respecting all creatures. . . . We cannot hope to have peace until we respect everyone--respect ourselves and respect animals and all living things. . . . We know we cannot defend and be kind to animals until we stop exploiting them – exploiting them in the name of science, exploiting animals in the name of sport, exploiting animals in the name of fashion, and yes, exploiting animals in the name of food.
Birthday and every day, Mr. Chávez, you were and are beloved by countless people, and many of us thank you and honor you not only for your tireless work on behalf of humans, but for your inspiring, compassionate efforts on behalf of animals as well.
To my readers who are still eating animals and animal products, I ask that today, on César Chávez's birthday, you open your mind and heart to what he opened his mind and heart to and consider extending your circle of compassion to animals. Make today a vegan day. Pick up a book or two about animal sentience and emotions and animal rights. Pick up or order a vegan cookbook. Honor Chávez's memory by opening yourself up to the possibility that he was right not only about the rights of humans, but about the rights and lives of animals as well. Honor a remarkable, nonviolent man by embracing true nonviolence in your own life.
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Image of Chávez with his canine companions by Cathy Murphy. Retrieved from the Walter P. Reuther Library United Farm Workers Collection.
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Comments (28)
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Author
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Stephanie is an independent animal rights advocate, a vegan, a tree-hugging environmentalist, and a freelance editor and writer. She lives in St. Louis with an aging corgi-lab and an adolescent rescued pit bull.
Stephanie, this is a beautiful post. I am truly inspired to have a thoughtful & mindful day.
Loka samista sukino bhavantu
Posted by Lisa Smolen on 03/31/2009 @ 07:08AM PT
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I am embarassed to say I knew nothing about this man before reading your article. I also googled him after this, how amazing.
It is very... upsetting that his commitment to nonhumans is not mentioned. I do believe it is the same as someone's commitment to blacks not being mentioned during slavery. Unions are powerful now and many people agree with them, so it's quite easy to look back and praise efforts. It's much harder to look back and praise efforts of something we still have to conquer.
It angers me.
Thank you for sharing Chávez's story.
Posted by Philosophia and Animal Liberation on 03/31/2009 @ 10:44AM PT
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Thank you so much for writing this. Both Coretta Scott King and Cesar Chavez were wonderful humanitarians who were sensitive and supportive to many vital causes. Their opposition to the cruel and sick abuses and tortures of animals remains an essential part of their legacies. The removal of their support for animals at official websites and events is truly ridiculous. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta
Posted by Rev Bookburn on 03/31/2009 @ 01:42PM PT
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It's the same with William Wilberforce, who is famous for being instrumental for ending human slavery in England. But few would know he was also a co-founder of the RSPCA.
Posted by Sue G. on 03/31/2009 @ 02:35PM PT
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Maybe it would be good to keep a little bit mum about his stance on animals, until AFTER they make a national holiday.... Then, if they do it, it could become "our" day too. And I'm sure we could come up with some ideas of how people could honor his memory.
Posted by Sue G. on 03/31/2009 @ 02:54PM PT
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Great post!
Today in California, grapes of wrath country...early.... the farm workers working all day
I think the holiday should be a paid day off for farm workers and those who make under living wage!
Certianly not for the library which he would have wanted to stay open on his holiday.
That and well paid city, bank and state workers was all I saw getting any time off. That too is a real shame.
Posted by Jynelle La Pointe on 03/31/2009 @ 11:10PM PT
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Beautiful. Inspiring. It made me wish I could be a vegetarian, but I have no vegetarian options near my work! What should I do??
Posted by Renata Ventura on 04/01/2009 @ 04:57AM PT
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Hi, Renata. I know that when you're first thinking about cutting out animal products, especially if you've never considered it seriously before, the idea can be initially daunting, because most of us are so accustomed from childhood to planning our meals around meat, dairy, and eggs. But truly, it's not nearly as hard as you might think. I recommend checking out these Web sites, which offer lots of tips and free starter kits (and there are other similar Web sites out there too): www.chooseveg.com and www.tryveg.com
You can also select the "food" link under "Tags" in the lefthand sidebar on the main Animal Rights page here and find lots of posts linking to great recipes by talented vegan food bloggers. I post new links every Friday. Good luck! And please keep coming back if you need support, motivation, answers, etc.! :)
Posted by Stephanie Ernst on 04/01/2009 @ 06:25AM PT
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FYI: http://www.happycow.net/north_america/usa/texas/houston/
Posted by Elaine Vigneault on 04/01/2009 @ 04:07PM PT
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Bring a lunch? That's a suggestion Renata. Planning ahead while looking for alternative options, and I assure you, they are out there, is always prudent.
Posted by Alex Melonas on 04/01/2009 @ 06:09AM PT
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Same with Gandhi. Everyone looks up to him and quotes him but we often neglect the one cause dearest to him throughout his entire life - vegetarianism.
Posted by Charles Tsai on 04/03/2009 @ 05:44AM PT
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Wow. I knew he was wonderful, but I never knew about his kindness towards animals. Thank you for bringing that to light. I also didn't know about Coretta Scott King either. As a vegetarian and peace advocate, it's always made sense to me. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by Theresa Smith on 04/03/2009 @ 09:31AM PT
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Thank you for writing this. I didn't know this about Cesar Chavez and your piece may be another nudge in the no-meat direction for me.
Posted by Rosie Klahn on 04/03/2009 @ 09:55AM PT
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You're making my day, Rosie. :) If you need any further nudges, support, or advice, please ask! And feel free to wander around the rest of the blog for more information, including the "food" category, which includes many posts linking to great animal-free recipes: http://animalrights.change.org/blog?category_id=2148
I also recommend checking out the post "Your Dog Versus Your Dinner" as another nudge: http://animalrights.change.org/blog/view/your_dog_versus_your_dinner
Posted by Stephanie Ernst on 04/03/2009 @ 10:27AM PT
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Chavez is also a recipient ot the Presidential Medal of Freedom. George Tenet, best known for botching 911 and wmd accusations, is also a recipient. Who is better deserving? Later Tenet claimed Bush used 911 as an excuse to attach Iraq. It's mind blowing. Stranger than fiction.
Posted by Steve Walker on 04/03/2009 @ 09:59AM PT
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This made my day! I have always greatly admired Cesar Chavez, but I never knew he was vegan or supported animal rights. It makes me proud to know that as a vegan, I am following in the footsteps of such great people as Chavez, Coretta Scott King, and Gandhi.
Posted by Sandra DeSmedt on 04/03/2009 @ 03:16PM PT
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The suppression of Martin Luther King's overpopulation speech has been just as outragious if not more so.
Posted by Alan Ditmore on 04/03/2009 @ 03:25PM PT
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No matter how luminous any particular individual or group that espouses veganism is considered, it gives me no reason to sacrifice my or my family's nutrition.
Posted by Zack Anthoid on 04/03/2009 @ 05:11PM PT
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Hi Zack,
Let me suggest you read: "Food for Life: How the New Four Food Groups Can Save Your Life" by Neal Bernard, M.D. Veganism is medically and scientifically proven to be the optimal diet for long-term health. Don't stick to the "traditional" American diet for you and your family's sake.
Posted by Michael Weisensee on 04/03/2009 @ 06:26PM PT
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Zack, vegans live longer (on average) than vegetarians or omnivores. Does that make you reconsider?
Posted by Charles Tsai on 04/03/2009 @ 09:44PM PT
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Zack, not having knowledge of the options available already IS a massive sacrifice on your family's nutrition.
Posted by Robert Norris on 04/03/2009 @ 11:40PM PT
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Great post, Stephanie.
It reminded me the article:
"What the Nobel Committee Failed to Note"
http://www.commondreams.org/views03/1219-11.htm
Posted by donald watson on 04/04/2009 @ 12:47AM PT
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Stephanie, I'm an elementary school teacher in Georgia and a vegetarian. This year for the first time Cesar Chavez is included in our content standards for 3rd Grade. In fact my class is studying him now and are fascinated by his early years and his accomplishments. I can't wait to share with them his views on animal rights and vegetarianism which really completes the picture of this American hero, full of compassion and commitment to all living creatures.
Posted by kathy shields on 04/04/2009 @ 03:54AM PT
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Perhaps the question should be, why don't animal rights activists recognize these activists of color as heroes of their movement more frequently? As a movement often limited by a blind eye to white privilege, perhaps some self-critique would be useful. Or, rather than critiquing those who advocate for a national holiday on the basis of his labor activism, allying with them and their work and encouraging the addition of his animal rights advocacy to their campaign.
Posted by L K on 04/04/2009 @ 09:22AM PT
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I loved and admired Cesar Chavez-but when I discovered his eating life style, my admiration for him grew even more.
I'm so proud of him and of the legacy he left behind for ppl like you and I to follow his footsteps.
-Viva Chavez!
Posted by Yesenia X on 04/05/2009 @ 03:10PM PT
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I met Cesar Chavez almost 20 years ago at an animal rights festival in the Bay Area. He inspired me to go vegan!
Posted by Kristi H on 04/06/2009 @ 08:24PM PT
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I still kind alike Chavez 'cause he says things that need to be said vis-a-vis the US and its clients. Several years ago, though, he failed the "Puritan" test for reformer leaders. He banned sales of alcohol during Holy Week (major party time in Latin America). Seems like this just confirms my suspicions, especially if he tries to use his position to force this stuff on people.
Posted by chris sorochin on 04/07/2009 @ 02:45PM PT
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amazing post. amazing story.
Posted by Soodle Billy on 08/26/2009 @ 01:10AM PT
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