As the spring semester rolls by, so do the students’ complaints and queries regarding why San Diego State holds classes on President’s Day and doesn’t on Cesar Chavez Day.

For SDSU students, one of the biggest disappointments is not being able to attend President’s Day barbecues and parties planned for the three-day weekend enjoyed by most other California State Universities.

I refuse to join the bandwagon of students who think it’s asinine or unfair that we don’t close campus on President’s Day. Instead, I will to tell you why Cesar Chavez Day should be a more revered holiday than President’s Day. Chavez endured more hardships than most U.S. presidents and led his life by serving his community and fighting for the voiceless masses.

Cesar Estrada Chavez was born on March 31, 1927, outside of Yuma, Ariz. His family constantly struggled with money and, eventually, when he was still a small child, Chavez and his family moved to California where they became migrant workers for local farms. Chavez barely graduated from 8th grade before he became a full-time migrant farmer working to support his family, according to www.ufw.org/cecstory.htm.

Chavez eventually served two years in the Navy, married a woman named Helen Fabela and started a family before returning to Northern California where the inspiration of his life would begin.

Chavez began advocating Mexican-Americans’ voting rights. He fought long and hard to win increased rights for migrant workers because of the low wages they were receiving. He took it upon himself to start the National Farm Workers Association in 1962, which later became the United Farm Workers.

For the next several years, Chavez organized non-violent strikes and a 36-day fast, through his great reverence for Gandhi, in order to fight against the inhumane ways migrant workers were treated.

Chavez never earned an income of more than $5,000 a year, according to www.ufw.org/cecstory.htm. His goal was obtaining media attention he needed, not money. Chavez’ perseverance and dedication caused him to make many advancements for low paid migrant workers.

Chavez is a very important historical figure, especially in California history. Therefore, it’s very important that we observe his birthday each year.

Furthermore, celebrating Presi-dent’s Day, which originally stemmed from a combination of Lincoln and Washington’s birthdays, is a completely unnecessary holiday. We are forced to study all the great American presidents – especially Lincoln and Washington – from elementary school all the way through history courses in college.

Most U.S. presidents are greatly respected and constantly revered, yet people such as Chavez – who is greatly underrepresented in history classes and textbooks – are completely disregarded.

The least we can do is acknowledge Chavez for the contributions he made to society. He fought for his people on his own and had no obligation to help them. Instead, he did it out of the goodness of his heart. Chavez’ strong will to overcome racism and oppression has inspired many people. As long as we keep the holiday alive, his memory can continue to encourage others.

–Sarah Martin is an English graduate student and is a contributing columnist for The Daily Aztec.

–This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Send e-mail to letters@thedaily

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