As the country commemorates the life of Martin Luther King Jr.; his work in advancing the causes of African Americans – we tend to forget how he also inspired Latinos in their fight for equality.
Among the hundreds of thousands who were present for Dr. King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963 were Latinos.
King and the Chicano Movement
“As brothers in the struggle for equality, I extend the hand of fellowship and goodwill and wish you and your members continued success. Our separate struggles are really a struggle for freedom, dignity, and humanity”, Dr. King wrote in a telegram to civil rights activist Cesar Chavez in 1966.
As Chavez went through a hunger strike in the 1960s, Dr. King encouraged him with a message that read, “I am deeply moved by your courage in fasting as your personal sacrifice for justice through nonviolence.” Your past and present commitment is eloquent testimony to the constructive power of nonviolent action and the destructive impotence of violent reprisal.”
“Racism is a sickness. Many Americans with that sickness stormed the nation’s Capitol recently as racism feeds fascism. Racism stems from ignorance and creates, hate, fear violence, and destruction,” Huerta Chavez told CNN in an interview remembering Dr. King. The American labor leader and civil rights activist co-founded the National Farmworkers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW) with Cesar Chavez.
“Dr. Martin Luther King warned us that racism threatened the very foundation of our democracy”, she said. “Racism began with slavery, the oppression of workers, the subjugation of women and children.” Huerta believes that a national effort is needed to save the United States’ democracy from fascism and to end the racism which “is so ingrained in our body politic.”We have no choice but to heal.”
Publisher’s Note: According to the latest 2020 Census data report, the Hispanic Latino population rose by 7.6% in the last decade, making up 447,290 Wisconsinites.
