March 31 was officially Cesar Chavez Day. Seven different states celebrated it (Arizona, California, Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, Texas and Utah).

Now what possibly could possess the state of Michigan, Texas and Utah to celebrate Chavez day? If anyone would like to explain it, I’m all ears.

However, in California, we celebrate Chavez day because his movement began in the Central Valley and more specifically in the city of Delano in the late ’50s and ’60s.

Aw, the infamous Cesar Chavez, where do I begin? If I had a penny for all the times I have heard that name, I would certainly not be here writing in this paper today.

I grew up in a community where Chavez was idolized. I was taught about him in grammar school and high school, which I attended with his grandchildren. I observed his funeral procession in 1993 throughout the streets of Delano. My father knew and worked with Chavez for many years. Therefore, I feel confident in what I am about to say.

According to the Bakersfield Californian, “Chavez was known for his nonviolent protests, fasts, boycotts, strikes and pilgrimages.” Now, this is absolutely true. Why? Well, because all we ever teach society about Chavez is the “good” he accomplished, but we would never dare to really expose the violent acts that were committed due to the many boycotts and strikes.

Now don’t get me wrong. I know that he accomplished plenty for farm workers, such as the availability of drinking water, restrooms and unemployment benefits, but it really irritates me when we praise an individual as a hero, when in reality his union on many occasions, obtained its goals throughout negative means.

It is ridiculous to shed so much light on Chavez’s United Farmworkers of America, because their methods weren’t always very credible. By this, I mean the union is always portrayed as an organization whose best interest is in the people, but in reality there were many instances where members of the “union” ostracized other fellow farm workers.

Chavez drew a crowd of people who committed many acts of violence toward farm workers who chose not to become a part of a union.

These farm workers didn’t have a choice. Most of them were forced to join “the union” or suffer the consequences, which in most cases involved the slashing of tires, losing their jobs and many verbal threats.

There are many people who will testify to this being absolutely true.

Many of my family members, including my father, worked as a farm worker during the Chavez days. He was ostracized for not wanting to be part of the union. My father had a legitimate reason why he didn’t want to get involved, but on many occasions he was threatened with the loss of his job, had his car’s tires slashed, and witnessed numerous brawls.

But none of this is ever mentioned when we are taught about Chavez and his union. Instead, society portrays the union as “great individuals,” when in reality they were violent, tyrant-like people and that is exactly why I get so irritated when I hear about Chavez and the “union.”

If we are going to portray Chavez and his movement, we should also clearly depict his tactful, discreet, violent methods.