So many powerful men end up having done unspeakably bad things. It is horrifying and tragic. The good that was accomplished cannot and should not be ignored or abandoned, but the bad must be addressed.
Is it, though? For a Spanish-immersion school? How about honoring Dolores Huerta, back in the day somewhat marginalized in the movement although latterly more recognized [see comment below]
West Davis Elementary and East Davis Elementary were both built at the same time, but they soon changed the name of EDE to Valley Oak because of the "stigma" of being on the wrong side of the tracks.
I grew up in Redwood City on the wrong side of the tracks. The little 2 bedroom homes on the alphabet streets, expanded and renovated can list for 1.8M.
Very sad revelations about someone so many of us revered. I worked for then Councilmember Joe Serna, Jr. in Sacramento. Son of farmworkers, he stood with Chaves and Huerta in the beginning of the UFW. he would be crushed at this news. Thank you for taking a strong stance, Bob. And yes, si se puede!
I was also stunned by Dolores Huerta's revelation that she became pregnant by Chavez and gave the babies to other women. Maybe name the school Dolores Huerta Elementary?
Caesar Chavez and a large group of farm workers held a demonstration March through Modesto, California on April 1, 1966. The march started in Delano ending in Sacramento. The group happened to pass by my 15th street childhood home, where at that moment I was getting married. It was a very memorable hot day. I was a supporter of the movement and was gratified that I was a witness to change that might be coming for the workers in the field who slaved with little compensation, to provide our fruits and vegetables. My parents, I am sorry to say, did not share my feelings. My mother was already upset that I had chosen April Fool’s Day to get married and the Chavez march was the topping on the cake. No matter whether you favor unions or not, no person should be honored in any way if they have abused women or children. The name of Caesar Chavez should be removed from all public places as well as the names of present and future abusers.
But: Dolores Huerta—mother of eleven—did as much (or more) organizing in the movement as César Chávez, so her righteous name should replace his, perhaps, in many instances. On our wonderful Davis Spanish-immersion school, for one—soon? April 10 will mark her 96th birthday. A new holiday?
Very sad and shocking. West Edge Opera commissioned a new opera entitled Delores last year, with Chavez as a major character. Unlike the schools and holidays named for him, changing the opera to eliminate the good things said about him is undoable. Very sad indeed.
Somehow this reminded me of taking Spanish from Ruth Anderson, for the 2nd time today. A couple of young Hispanic men came to do a flooring job today. One spoke good English after many years back and forth to Mexico with parents. The other spoke no English at all, and so I asked 'como se llama'. Even 65 years later, a bit comes back to me, and the guy who spoke good English was impressed.
I have the same familiarity with Spanish vocabularly and phrases from those course we took from Ruth Anderson, a very special person in our lives, so many years ago
Well-written, Bob, and very sad indeed.
So many powerful men end up having done unspeakably bad things. It is horrifying and tragic. The good that was accomplished cannot and should not be ignored or abandoned, but the bad must be addressed.
Well said, Beth
An outstanding piece, Bob, on such difficult and sad circumstances.
I am absolutely stunned, Jerry.
Would never have thought this was possible.
So sorry for the victims. Back to WDE is the best course.
Is it, though? For a Spanish-immersion school? How about honoring Dolores Huerta, back in the day somewhat marginalized in the movement although latterly more recognized [see comment below]
I grew up on the east-side of the tracks, but I'm okay with WDE.
West Davis Elementary and East Davis Elementary were both built at the same time, but they soon changed the name of EDE to Valley Oak because of the "stigma" of being on the wrong side of the tracks.
I grew up in Redwood City on the wrong side of the tracks. The little 2 bedroom homes on the alphabet streets, expanded and renovated can list for 1.8M.
I can go for that
My old West Davis Elementary fifth grade teacher, Marguerite Montgomery, has a school named after her.
Very sad revelations about someone so many of us revered. I worked for then Councilmember Joe Serna, Jr. in Sacramento. Son of farmworkers, he stood with Chaves and Huerta in the beginning of the UFW. he would be crushed at this news. Thank you for taking a strong stance, Bob. And yes, si se puede!
Joe Serna. We needed more like him, Chris.
"It takes a village."
I'd go with "Ruth Bader Ginsburg Elementary", a Jewish person and woman. Chavez, my hero too, should be remembered for his total doings.
I'll suggest, as I did many years ago, John Barovetto, a homegrown American hero who grew up on Rice Lane and attended Davis High and UC Davis.
I'm sure St. Peter opened the gates for him.
I was also stunned by Dolores Huerta's revelation that she became pregnant by Chavez and gave the babies to other women. Maybe name the school Dolores Huerta Elementary?
Caesar Chavez and a large group of farm workers held a demonstration March through Modesto, California on April 1, 1966. The march started in Delano ending in Sacramento. The group happened to pass by my 15th street childhood home, where at that moment I was getting married. It was a very memorable hot day. I was a supporter of the movement and was gratified that I was a witness to change that might be coming for the workers in the field who slaved with little compensation, to provide our fruits and vegetables. My parents, I am sorry to say, did not share my feelings. My mother was already upset that I had chosen April Fool’s Day to get married and the Chavez march was the topping on the cake. No matter whether you favor unions or not, no person should be honored in any way if they have abused women or children. The name of Caesar Chavez should be removed from all public places as well as the names of present and future abusers.
Totally agree, Jacqueline.
I’m devastated, too, after years of working with him. Never could have imagined this. Power corrupts. 😢
Truly unbelievable, Pat. Never in a million years would I have thought this of him.
Very sad,evil walks in many forms.It’s main form is people with too much power😭😭😭💔💔💔
Well said, Bob.
Thanks, Bill
Hard to believe.
…incredulous.
Palabras no hay para esta revelación
But: Dolores Huerta—mother of eleven—did as much (or more) organizing in the movement as César Chávez, so her righteous name should replace his, perhaps, in many instances. On our wonderful Davis Spanish-immersion school, for one—soon? April 10 will mark her 96th birthday. A new holiday?
Interesting suggestion, Adrienne.
I was in the first class at West Davis Elementary. Many fond memories of that place and those days.
Well said, Adrienne
Very sad and shocking. West Edge Opera commissioned a new opera entitled Delores last year, with Chavez as a major character. Unlike the schools and holidays named for him, changing the opera to eliminate the good things said about him is undoable. Very sad indeed.
Oh, yes...memories of you keeping us in stitches in Ruth's classes.
Somehow this reminded me of taking Spanish from Ruth Anderson, for the 2nd time today. A couple of young Hispanic men came to do a flooring job today. One spoke good English after many years back and forth to Mexico with parents. The other spoke no English at all, and so I asked 'como se llama'. Even 65 years later, a bit comes back to me, and the guy who spoke good English was impressed.
I have the same familiarity with Spanish vocabularly and phrases from those course we took from Ruth Anderson, a very special person in our lives, so many years ago
West Davis Elementary would be confusing these days, since we consider West Davis west of Highway 113. Dolores Huerta would be an easy swap.
She’s a hero for speaking up. April 10 is Dolores Huerta Day in California, so switch the holiday to that.