Jorge Ramos: CESAR CHAVEZ FINALLY GETS A PRESIDENTIAL AUDIENCE

Original Article with video here:
http://fusion.net/leadership/story/jorge-ramos-cesar-chavez-finally-presidential-audience-533305


Cesar Chavez was never invited to the White House. Before his untimely death in 1993, eight successive American presidents failed to bring the Mexican-American icon to the Oval Office for a conversation.

Perhaps Chavez, who co-founded the United Farm Workers union and led the biggest farmworker strike in American history in the 1970s, made powerful men uncomfortable. Perhaps it was because he believed so deeply in the power of protest (he even named his dogs “Boycott” and “Strike”). We’ll never know.

One of the great things about the United States is the willingness of our leaders to recognize past injustices. I am fairly certain, for instance, that someday this nation will apologize to the millions of undocumented people who came to this country, found jobs and worked hard, yet were forced to live in the shadows for decades, waiting for Congress to create a path to citizenship for them. That error will be remedied one day, just as an older mistake was fixed recently: Chavez finally went to the White House.

Earlier this month, President Barack Obama invited the cast of the new film “Cesar Chavez” — including the actors Michael Peña, America Ferrera and Rosario Dawson — and the film’s director, Diego Luna, to the White House for a screening. Dolores Huerta, who was Chavez’s close ally and the co-founder of the UFW, was in attendance, along with Paul Chavez, one of Cesar Chavez’s eight children, and a dozen other relatives.

“Cesar Chavez” is, oddly enough, the first movie about this hero. In the 1970s, the actor and director Robert Redford approached Cesar Chavez about a possible movie project, but nothing resulted from that discussion. Perhaps that was for the best, since in his vibrant, inspiring film, Luna presents us with a pragmatic portrayal of Chavez. It's the story of a flawed man, a stubborn, jealous visionary, who learned how to challenge power effectively.

Luna’s interpretation was correct — that’s what Huerta and Cesar Chavez’s wife, Helen, told Dawson and Ferrera, who play them in the film. Paul Chavez, close to tears, said the same to me at the screening. It must be hard to see your father so accurately portrayed in a film, and not be able to touch or talk to him.

Cesar Chavez was extraordinary because he took it upon himself to defend and organize poor farm laborers, almost all of whom were Latinos. He convinced these extremely vulnerable, mistreated people that if they formed a union, they could speak with a single voice that would not be ignored by those in power. By doing so, he paved the way for the Hispanic community to become much more influential in the United States.

“We have seen the future,” Cesar Chavez said during a speech in 1984, “and the future is ours.” He was right. Projections indicate that by 2050, the United States’ Hispanic population could number 150 million.

I don’t often make recommendations in this column, but “Cesar Chavez” is a film that should not be missed. Also, the richly detailed biography by Miriam Pawell, “The Crusades of Cesar Chavez,” just published this month, offers further insight into his life.

The surge of interest in Cesar Chavez’s legacy can probably be attributed to the urgency of the issues that the Hispanic community faces. The status of the undocumented is increasingly pressing, yet we lack enough leaders to speak on our behalf (there are only three Hispanics in the Senate, for instance).

We have to keep in mind that while Cesar Chavez died in 1993 at the age of 66, his legacy lives on; we can fight as he did. The rallying cry of the UFW, “Si se puede!” — later adopted by Obama during his campaign for the presidency — is, in three words, an entire philosophy for achieving the impossible: Yes, we can. This is the essence of the great American dream.

Indeed, Cesar Chavez’s legacy is alive in the protests and rallies of the Dreamers — the young, undocumented immigrants whose families brought them to the United States and who are fighting to make a future for themselves in the only country that they have ever known.

His legacy endures for Hispanics who are breaking barriers every day, rising in the world of politics, succeeding in business and making names for themselves in the arts. We will remember him on the day we elect the first Hispanic president of the United States.

This column is provided to Fusion courtesy of The New York Times Syndicate.

Jorge Ramos is one of the most influential journalists in news today. He's been dubbed the Walter Cronkite of Hispanic media -- a title he's earned by taking on people in power over signature concerns like immigration, gun control and equality. Now, on Fusion, he brings that unique, raw and authentic sensibility to an English-speaking audience. "America with Jorge Ramos," airs weekly on Tuesday on Fusion at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PT.

Teaching in Samoa -- good grades vs. good people: Jessica Baker at TEDxL...

TEACHING IN SAMOA- GOOD GRADES V.S GOOD PEOPLE: JESSICA BAKER

"You can't teach or measure kindness and empathy on a test."

"We need to abandon this idea that all people can be judged off of their test scores."

"Stop teaching to the test and start teaching to the kids."

"It's time we start valuing kindness, empathy, community, over academic success."

"There is more to life than numbers." 

SEEKING MENTOR

A little bit about my mentor:

My mentor is a person that leads by action! She is an English teacher at Ernest Righetti High School and also my mentor. I first met her my sophomore year of high school and have been keeping in touch with her ever since. She has a lot to teach, but has already taught me so much with her actions. She is an amazing human being! She enjoys life and enjoys helping others. Many students are attracted to her because of her kind and helpful personality. She also takes trips to Africa in order to help a program called YOFAFO (Youth Focus Africa Foundation) who works to empower Uganda's next generations. See an introduction VIDEO HERE. She is a great mentor who is willing to get help from an open-minded, compassionate, and awesome person!

Mrs.Byrne, my mentor has a lot to teach me. Mostly what I want to learn about her and experience through her is why she does what she does. I want to know what motivates her to wake up every morning and be present for her students, be helpful, and kind. She is very intelligent so she does her research on compassion and science and how they intertwine. I always find our conversations so interesting. It is like when two children find a new toy and cannot wait to tell their friends about it. What I am also very interested about Mrs. Byrne is how she makes an effort to live life and not just exist. There is a lot I have to learn from her, but it is mostly likely that I will have to watch for the answer rather than hear it.

QUESTIONS: 

• When did you first become interested in compassion? 
• How did you first become involved in YOFAFO and how has it changed and/or influenced your life?
• Why do you think compassion is biased?
• Do you practice a special ritual before beginning your day?
• How do you keep yourself from living and not just existing? 
• How can I make my masterpiece better?
• What is the difference between giving up on someone and just accepting the fact that you cannot give anymore of yourself to that person? Is there a difference?

Technology is GROWING!

GOOGLE GLASS

This just in: 6 Useful Tips for Handling College Decisions

It's March, which means college decisions are coming out rapidly. You hardly have time to come to terms with one school's rejection before you are overcome with joy at the sight of another one's acceptance. The month is a roller coaster of anxiety, excitement, tears of joy and sorrow. Luckily, you have The Prospect to guide you through this hectic period (relatively) unscathed.

Here are some effective ways to help deal with college admissions decisions.

1. Comfort Food

There is no time to be health-conscious when that first rejection comes along. Ice cream, pizza, the entire Starbucks menu, pounds upon pounds of M&Ms -- whatever your vice may be --embrace it. Almost nothing can match the astounding healing power of food. You can work it off come May... or some other time.

2. The Nearly Unbearably Sad (Woe Is Me) Playlist

Have it ready. Use it wisely. This playlist is the only earthly entity that knows how you feel during this time period. It cuddles you with melancholic bliss as you close your blinds and go back to bed -- and undeniably contains Radiohead's "Creep" along with Johnny Cash's version of "Hurt". Who cares if it's a little melodramatic? You just got wait listed at your top choice -- you have a right!

3. Alternatively, the "I'm Over this School Anyway, Let's Go Be Happy for Spring" Playlist

For some people with crushing sadness, Radiohead might do more damage than damage control. For these people, it's almost definitely time to turn up the Vampire Weekend and go for a ride. Just try not to think about the fact that all four of the band members went to Columbia University while you're belting the unforgettable lyrics of "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa".

4. Binge-Watching

Let's thank Netflix for this marvelous coping mechanism, because in reality, you love Kevin Spacey and House of Cards more than you ever loved University of Chicago. And with 13 episodes tackled in 36 hours, the relationship you have with him is real -- much more than any university could have possibly granted you. Your heart is captured, and although your body is slowly melting into your couch, at least your mind is off the rejection.

5. The Primal Scream

Hike to the top of a local mountain and let it all out. Scream because it's over -- because you made it. Scream because you're ecstatic and nervous for what's to come. Scream because you feel bad for the school that missed out. Yell at the top of your lungs how grateful and happy you are with the final outcome. Let the world know that you have officially conquered the college application process, that you made it out alive. Sometimes all you need to do is let it all out -- and nature doesn't judge.

6. Now Let's Get a Little More Serious

It's going to be stressful -- and that's okay. One very important habit to learn is to resist comparisons. Your best friend's acceptances do not overshadow your outcomes, and since there are literally thousands of factors that come into play when an admissions committee makes its decision, comparisons to your peers are genuinely silly.

Now let's try to put this all in perspective. The mere fact that you applied to college puts you in a far more privileged position than the majority of the world. According to The Huffington Post, 6.7 percent of the world's population has a college degree. So no matter where you end up come September, you're on pace to join a fortunate few. Someone has recognized your efforts, talents, intelligence, and all that jazz and wants you on their campus. Too many high-achieving high school students sell themselves short and fail to realize that that means something (despite the high tuition price).

And of course, once you get to college, it's all on you. No one's watching over your shoulder or giving you directions. On this scene, you pave your own road -- and although it's cliché, anything is within reach once you've made it to this stage. So go ahead: Sulk for a couple of days. Eat Pringles, breathe Netflix, and sleep often for a while. But when those few days are up, it's time to get back on track and look ahead toward the inevitably awesome and enriching experience that is college. You've earned it.

MY MACBETH RESOURCES

1.. Macbeth William Shakespeare: http://resources.mhs.vic.edu.au/macbeth/theplay/acts.html

2. Macbeth at pppst.com: http://shakespeare.pppst.com/macbeth.html


3. The Tragedy of Macbeth: http://shakespeare.mit.edu/macbeth/full.html

4. A Research Guide for students: http://www.aresearchguide.com/macbeth.html

5. One of the many Macbeth films: GOOGLE 

Resource of the day

Masterpiece: Compassion is biased

The compassion we feel normally is biased and mixed with attachment. Genuine compassion flows towards all living beings, particularly your enemies. If I try to develop compassion towards my enemy, it may not benefit him directly, he may not even be aware of it. But it will immediately benefit me by calming my mind. On the other hand, if I dwell on how awful everything is, I immediately lose my peace of mind.

-Dalai Lama

I never really thought about compassion being biased, and actually it is not compassion that is biased, but us (people) that are biased. We are biased towards who we are compassionate to!