Middle School Resources

César Chávez Biography

from California Department of Education

Theme: Biography

Photo from Encyclopedia Britannica

César Chávez Graphic Biography

from World Alamanac

Theme: Graphic Biography

From ProQuest

Elegy on the Death of César Chávez

by Rudolgo Anaya

Theme: Poetry

Detail: After Chavéz’ death in 1992, Anaya wrote this poem eulogizing the man and his life’s work. Echoing Shelley’s elegy on the death of John Keats, the poem expresses the grief of la gente, but closes by calling all peoples together to continue the non-violent struggle for freedom and justice. The book—endorsed by the César Chavéz Foundation—includes an essay by Anaya detailing the effect that Chavéz had on his own vision and a chronology of Chavéz’ life. Powerful super realistic illustrations by Gaspar Enriquez bring home the significance of César Chavéz to the American cultural landscape.

Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong

by Dawn R. Mabalon, Phd & Gayle Romasanta

Theme: Biography

Teaching Resources: Publisher curriculum

Strike!: The Farm Workers' Fight for Their Rights

by Larry Dane Brimner

Theme: Expository Non-Fiction

Teaching Resources: Educator's Guide from the publisher

The Untold Story of Larry Itliong, Labor Rights Hero

by Christina Oxtra

Theme: Biography

César Chávez: Labor Leader and Civil Rights Activist (3:51) 

PBS LearningMedia

Outlines how César Chávez created the United Farm Workers, the first successful union for farm laborers. Students will watch a short video and examine two primary sources in order to understand how Chávez was able to successfully organize a movement among some of America’s poorest and most oppressed workers.

Filipino American Farmworkers Fight for Their Rights (6:55) 

PBS LearningMedia

Larry Itliong, a central leader of the farmworkers movement, was a Filipino farmworker who had been organizing laborers for years throughout the west coast. In the summer of 1965 in Delano, California, he created a coalition with César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, leaders of the Mexican American farmworkers union. Together, they created the United Farm Workers Union and led a grape boycott that spread nationwide.

Philip Vera Cruz - Civil Rights Hero (1:47) 

Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus

Philip Vera Cruz embodied the experiences of the manong generation, an enormous wave of Filipino immigrants who came to the United States between 1910 and 1930. Instead of better opportunities, they found racial discrimination, deplorable living conditions, and oppressive labor practices.  He joined the Agricultural Worker Organizing Committee (AWOC) and soon became a leader in farm workers rights. In 1965 he was an active force in the AWOC decision to strike against grape growers in Delano, CA. 

Larry Itliong - Civil Rights Hero (2:04) 

Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus

Farm labor organizer Larry Itliong and a group of Filipino farmworkers instigated one of the American farm labor movement’s finest hours – The Delano Grape Strike of 1965 and national boycott that brought about the creation of the United Farm Workers Union (UFW). While the movement is known for Cesar Chavez’s leadership and considered a Chicano movement, Filipinos played a pivotal role that began it all.

California Filipino Farmworkers Who Sparked A Rebellion For Farmworkers' Rights (3:14) 

AJ+

 In 1965, Filipino grape farmers in Delano, CA went on strike and started one of the most significant labor movements in U.S. history.  A look at the often untold story of the Filipino community involvement in the Farm Labor Movement. 

The Farm Worker Movement (16:20) 

PBS LearningMedia

Farm workers play a crucial role in feeding the nation and ensuring the viability of commodities, yet they have suffered extremely poor working conditions for many years.  Explore the early days of the United Farmworkers under the guidance of César Chávez and Dolores Huerta. See the conditions that led to the organization of a farm labor union and the initial challenges to its work.

Delano Manongs (26:50) 

ViewFinder - PBS

The story of farm labor organizer Larry Itliong and a group of Filipino farm workers who instigated one of the American farm labor movement’s finest hours – The Delano Grape Strike of 1965 that brought about the creation of the United Farm Workers Union (UFW).

César Chávez - American Civil Rights Activist | Mini Bio (3:59) 

Biography.com

Union leader and labor organizer César Chávez dedicated his life to improving treatment, pay and working conditions for farm workers.  This mini-biography from Biography.com explores how Chávez helped create the National Farm Workers Association and inspired a generation of activists.

Portrait in Minute: Dolores Huerta (3:40) 

National Portrait Gallery

Taína Caragol, curator of Latino art and history at the National Portrait Gallery discusses Dolores Huerta, and highlights the significant role of this Latina leader in the California farm workers movement of the 1960s and 70s.   It illuminates Huerta as the co-founder, with César Chávez, of the United Farm Workers (UFW), and highlights her position as the union's lobbyist and contract negotiator. 

Helen Chávez (wife of  César Chávez) Reads Statement to Press (1:37) 

Bay Area Television Archive - SF State University

News report from December 5th 1970 in Salinas (Monterey County, CA) featuring images of United Farm Worker members keeping a vigil outside the jail where their leader César Chávez is detained. Also includes scenes of his wife Helen Chávez reading a statement from César to reporters.