1. Where did you go for college?

I ATTENDED UCLA
2. What was your major in college? UNDERGRAD, DOUBLE MAJOR: ETHNOMUSICOLOGY
AND CHICANA/O STUDIES
MASTERS: ETHNOMUSICOLOGY
CURRENTLY FINISHING UP THE PHD IN ETHNOMUSICOLOGY
3.What is your field of expertise?
THAT WOULD BE MUSIC OF THE AMERICAS. MEXICAN MUSIC. LATINO MUSIC IN THE
UNITED STATES
4.Do you think farm workers would earn better working conditions without Cesar Chavez?
I think that it would have happened without Cesar Chavez. However, Cesar Chavez did it during
the time period of the 60s when a lot of communities of color were fighting segregation and
discrimination. Therefore, making it even that much more impactful that he accomplished all that
he did during that time period. The wage increase was not a big deal. In fact, it was only a
couple of cents. I want to say from $1.20/hr to $1.40/hr. However, the farm owners would rather
lose out on 10s of millions than give in to the farm worker and give him rights. Thats racism at
its finest.
5. How do you think the world would be like if Cesar Chavez didnt fight for the rights of farm
workers? Regardless of the wage increase, someone needed to fight against the exploitive farm
owner of the 60s. Ronals Reagan was supported by special interests (farmers, JFK and MLKjr
had been assassinated. Someone needed to stand up to racism and he was one of the
important figures that did it in the 60s. I believe it doesnt mean as much if it would have
happened 20 or 30 years later.
6.Do you know of any other important figures that contributed into the farm workers movement
and how? Yes, Dolores Huerta was just as influential as Cesar Chavez. Alongside Chavez, you
also have Luis Valdes with Teatro Campesino. Bobby Kennedy also fought alongside Chavez
until his assassination.
7.What were ways Cesar gained supporters to form a very large and successful union? He did it
by promoting peace. When his followers became violent, he fasted so that they would be forced
to leave their non-violent ways and realize that he would not stop fasting until they stopped
being violent.
8. What were the hardest moments in Cesars life as a union leader? I would have to assume
the disconnect from his family that he suffered as a result of his dedication to the cause, and I
would also argue the 2 times he fasted. Its said that he pre-mature death could have been due
to his body not being able to handle the intense fasting.
9. Why do you think Cesars speeches were so influential? He was short, and soft-spoken.
However, much like the leader of the Zapatistas (subcomandante Marcos), he forced you to get

quiet and listen. He didnt speak loudly but he was eloquent and calm. His voice had almost a
calming and soothing taste to it. It made you listen to each and every one of his words.