Cesar Chaves (2014) part 1

Cesar Chaves (2014) part 1

I was born in Yuma, Arizona|in a ranch owned by my family
but we lost it in the depression.
Like many other families, we moved|to California to work in the fields.
But when we arrived, we found out that|there was more people than jobs.
We went from being farm owners|to farm workers in one day.
And at the age of 11,|I started working in the fields.
That's where I witnessed,|for the first time,
the injustice and the indignities|suffered by the farm workers.
You see the problem is that in 1936|the country changed,
because the National Labor Relations Act|went into effect.
And it gave most workers the right|to join the union and bargain collectively.
Except the farm workers,
they were excluded from this protection|and I was one of them.
I wanted to do something, so I joined|the CSO, Community Services Organization.
And that is where I learned|how to organize people.
We were working in the cities and I|realized that, to make a difference,
I had to get out|and start organizing the workers.
So, in 1962, I went back|to the fields to do just that.
Juan de la Cruz!
I'm a friend of your cousin, Felipe.
Are you Juan?
Can we talk?
Sure. But not here.
I'm done in about four hours.
You need to leave now. They're coming.
Can I help you, sir?|Were you talking to those workers?
Is there something I can do for you?
I'm talking to you.
Do you own anything?
No.
Can you read or write?
Well... No.
Of course not.
Who in your family works?
Me and my wife.
And my kids. The older ones anyways.
The other ones are still too young.
Do you want more for your kids?
Of course.
But...
Most of the people are afraid.
They have to feed their kids.
It's not easy doing it alone.
I'll return in one month|to help you start organizing.
But I need you to gather|everyone you can here.
OK, that's fine.
And you won't be alone anymore.
If we want to organize farm workers,|if we're really serious,
it's not gonna happen here, not with them.
It's just one setback, Cesar, it takes a while|to build trust, you have to be patient.
You know, they really don't care about|the farm worker, Fred.
Gilbert, that's not true.
See that's what I'm talking about, Fred,|see I have to be where it's happening.
I have to get out of Los Angeles|and go back to the fields where I started.
You know, we are doing this together, okay?
You knew this could happen,|that is why we have a plan.
But not in an office.
It's not the time to walk out now.
You know what it takes,|that is why I brought you in.
The CSO will be behind you, no matter what,|but please at least sleep on it.
I am not tired, Fred.
I want to get my hands dirty.
- Cesar...|- I'm with him. He's right.
You will go to new schools|and make new friends.
You're going to be fine.
Your father and I grew up on the fields.
Which team plays for Delano?
Your tio Ruc and tia Petra live in Delano,|so do our cousins. It's gonna be good.
Okay, let's take a vote.
Who wants to go to Delano?
...a wonderful day|in Southern California.
- Sandy Koufax on the mound.|- No!
Sandy coming off that|beautiful no-hitter last week.
Caullison just waving that bat|back and forth.
- Pare, I am trying to listen to the game.|- Koufax trying to keep
his winning streak going.
Could you stop? Stop!
Top of the fourth,|Dodgers leading two to nothing.
Koufax delivers and it's|a line drive down the left field line...
Fair ball!
I can't hear. Can you turn it up?
I think we, uh, lost the signal.
You promised me a three-bedroom house.
I said I would try, Mansi.|It was short notice.
But I gave you two months.
That's short notice!
Uncle Cesar.
- That goes in the bedroom, Chato.|- It doesn't fit.
It doesn't fit.
Hey, Cesar, we've lived in a lot worse.
We'll be fine.
Can you get the heavy stuff|in the truck please?