I just returned from Chicago where SPLC’s Teaching Tolerance film, Viva La Causa, was shown to over 800 of our closest friends.
Morris Dees, founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center and driving force behind the creation of Teaching Tolerance, was there. So were my SPLC colleagues Mark Potok, director of the Intelligence Project, legal director Mary Bauer, and president Richard Cohen.
But it was Dolores Huerta who led the crowd in those soul-stirring chants - ¡Viva!
If you don’t know who this diminutive and powerful mujer is, then you need to order our free film kit Viva La Causa today! Learn about how Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez led a great movement for social justice - the Delano grape strike and boycott - in the United States during the 1960s.
Based on the standing ovation Dolores received as she was introduced, I’m guessing most folks gathered at the Chicago Cultural Center last night knew something about her passion for social justice. Those who knew her, and those who had never heard her name, stood in line just to shake her hand –some close to two hours - and left encouraged and inspired.
I want the Teaching Tolerance community of educators, students, parents and friends to know who Dolores Huerta is. She’s a national treasure.
Tell someone.
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I added to Facebook. Thanks,
I added to Facebook.
Thanks, Lecia. Now, everyone: tell someone!
I was one of those lucky
I was one of those lucky enough to be invited to the showing. And yes I stood in line for quite some time just to tell Ms. Huerta what she meant to me and the rest of the country. Hers and Cesar Chavez's was my first major "cause". While in line I related to Mr. Cohen how all my friends mocked me & my silly boycott of grapes. It turns out Mr. Cohen actually marched in front of stores selling grapes and also remembers the mockery - whayt good could a few people do? How could we possibly make a difference?
When I got to Delores Huerta I was so emotional I was nearly incoherent - but she could not have been warmer or more gracious. When I explained that like many others, I had admired her dedication and bravery for years and the sight of her on the stage with Bobby Kennedy right before his assasination was burnt into my memory, she leaned in and said :Did you know they tore down the hotel and the site now is a community school serving mostly poor Latinos and underpriveleged children who will learn of Kennedy's vison as well as that of Cesar Chavez (I'm paraphrasing). I actually did not know that and thanked her for telling me that and for all she has done and continues to do.
And then she thanked me. For boycotting grapes and for being there that night. Delores Huerta thanked ME. I'll never forget that night
(continued) I was reminded
(continued)
I was reminded that working together, small groups of nonviolent people, all supporting the same cause can become a giant unstoppable movement. I think at some point in my life I forgot that.
Thank you Ms. Huerta, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Dees and all the wonderful SPLC employees I met this night. Every so often we all need reminding that even "unimportant" people can make the changes that we need!