Dining with Chavez by Melissa

Dining with Chavez by Melissa - February 2016 Scholarship Essay

Dining with Chavez
If I could have dinner with any historical figure, I would choose Cesar Chavez. In elementary school, I remember learning about him in history books and thinking he was influential and important. He was always the main Mexican-American icon in history that I would learn about. I’m proud of my history because of activists like Cesar Chavez and I’m inspired by him. I admire him because he organized and rallied people together, fought for what was right, and promoted non-violence.
One of the main reasons I would like to have dinner with him is because he is a Mexican-American civil rights activist. I remember identifying with him in elementary school because of this. My parents would also tell me about him and how he held this great strike on grapes demanding better working rights for field workers. Recently, I visited family in McFarland and went to Delano and was again reminded of all that Cesar Chavez did. My uncle reminded me that because of him, he and other grape fieldworkers have shade, clean water, restrooms, and breaks available. I would have dinner with him and thank him for all that he did. He had such a huge impact on families like my own by helping them demand those human rights they wouldn’t have demanded if not organized. He is very influential in my culture and is seen as a symbol that change can occur. I’ve always admired him and I would be privileged to have met him.
Another reason I would choose Cesar Chavez to have dinner with is because he organized and rallied people together. I would ask him how he started to organize and how it all started to occur. He had great leadership skills and public speaking skills in order to make so many speeches. I would ask him to give me a few tips and pointers on public speaking as well. When making speeches, he seemed composed, clear, and passionate on what he was speaking about. That passion and determination to change is something I look up to now. I would talk to him about issues today and would ask for advice to create change in my lifetime.
Lastly, I chose Cesar Chavez because he promoted non-violence. It’s amazing that he was able to make change while refraining from using violence. His struggle shows that violence is not the answer. I would ask him how he kept people motivated and passionate to his cause. I would also ask him how he kept fighting when the strike seemed to be ineffective.
Cesar Chavez is the first person I would choose if I could have dinner with any historical figure. I would ask to know more about his personal experiences with the grape strike and would ask his opinions on today’s issues. He was influential and created change that I am grateful for. Also, I would have dinner with him to thank him for his contribution and for the impact he created.