Dr. King's Message to Cesar Chavez
Good morning!
The 10th edition of Capitol Press comes on the national day of remembrance of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was born on January 15, 1929.
An assassin's bullet would end the civil rights leader’s life on April 4, 1968. But his message of dignity, respect, and solidarity among the oppressed peoples of the world still endures.
Countless millions have been inspired by Dr. King’s life and martyrdom to fight non-violently for justice and equality.
Since this is the Latino newsletter on Congress, it seems fitting to share King’s 1966 telegram to labor leader Cesar Chavez, co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), now known as United Farm Workers (UFW). While Chavez and King never met, they communicated via telegram numerous times.
“As brothers in the fight for equality,” began one of Dr. King’s messages to Chavez, “I extend the hand of fellowship and good will and wish continuing success to you and your members. The fight for equality must be fought on many fronts — in the urban slums, in the sweatshops of the factories and fields.”
King then got to the heart of his message:
“Our separate struggles are really one — a struggle for freedom, for dignity and for humanity. You and your fellow workers have demonstrated your commitment to righting grievous wrongs forced upon exploited people. We are together with you in spirit and in determination that our dreams for a better tomorrow will be realized.”
I’ve spent many years addressing anti-Blackness in the Latino community.
In one of my more recent pieces, written in May on Medium, I addressed the growth of Latinos buying into white supremacy and committing hate crimes.
At the time, two hate crimes stood out in Texas because they were perpetrated by Latinos and occurred within days of each other.
In my piece I wrote that it was “clear that Americans don’t comprehend that the same racism and bigotry exist in Latin America just as it does anywhere else. Part of the assimilation process results in Latinos buying into white power structures here in the US. Colorism from Latin America becomes anti-Black racism while homophobia, transphobia, and misogyny are simply what they are. For me, it’s most prevalent in the Cuban community in South Florida where many quickly buy into the hate.”
To honor Dr. King’s legacy of oneness in the struggle against those who exploit all people of color, below is a short list of recommended readings written by Latinas to help identify and address anti-Blackness in our communities.
Not All White Supremacists Are White by Denise Oliver Velez
Racial Baggage: How Anti-Blackness Travels Across the Border by Dr. Sylvia Zamora
The Long and Violent History of Anti-Black Racism in the Latino Community by Cecilia Márquez
Unmasking Latino Anti-Black Bias and the Struggle for Equality by Tanya Katerí Hernández