Josh Whitehead / The SWC Sun
MOST UNKINDEST CUT OF ALL—Latinos and human rights advocates report feeling betrayed by Chavez when a New York Times investigation surfaced sexual assault allegations against the iconic UFW leader. SWC President Dr. Mark Sanchez immediately ordered his name removed from the Student Services Center.
By Raul Ramirez & Valeria Vazquez
His legacy fell with each letter pried from the Student Services Building. Letters that had spelled out Cesar Chavez clattered to the ground like kids’ magnetic letters knocked from the refrigerator.
Last than 48 hours after a shocking report in the New York Times of sexual assault allegations against Chavez last month, the college’s most visible building is left without a name. Legions of students and college employees expressed shock and disappointment at Chavez’s fall from grace.
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Professor of Mexican American History Dr. Gerardo Rios said he was disappointed but nothing more.
“I’m not surprised because I’ve read the same story (of fallen heroes) in many different scenarios many times,” he said. “As a historian, you tend to lose that shock factor. You realize that life is greater than any form of fiction and any form of art. In other words, you realize history is full of fantasy.”
Rios described Chavez as “a monster who was capable of doing good.”
“It’s dangerous to tell a sanitized version of history,” he said. “History does not work that way. We should teach the movement. This is a powerful lesson. Do not hold people to any higher standard than being human.”
Student teacher Brianna Lopez said a person’s wrongdoing do not change any positive impact they may have had.
“(Chavez and farmworkers union co-founder Dolores Huerta) were part of a movement that made a big impact,” she said. “At the end of the day the streets, parks, schools and monuments can be removed. But that does not mean we can take away the history.”
College president Dr. Mark Sanchez took a similar position. He said the achievements of the United Farm Workers and the Chicano Movement remain despite indiscretions by its former leader. He also came down clearly on the side of abused women, including Huerta.
Sanchez decided to immediately remove references to Chavez from college buildings and signage. He said he would like the hear from the community about how to proceed with the renaming of the Student Services Center.
“The district will send a survey to the entire campus community and the broader community about the name,” he said. “I will be convening a group of constituency leaders for a discussion before the year ends.”
Sanchez said the college will move deliberately and work on the process during the summer.
“In the fall the survey results will be shared through the shared governance process to develop a recommendation to the board for naming,” he said.
SWC Chief of Staff Dr. Zaneta Encarnacion said the process will be inclusive and transparent.
“We have a procedure called the Naming of Facilities Procedure,” she said. “Administrative Procedure 6620 outlines that process. It won’t just be administrative and it won’t be just students, it will be collaborative.”
Renaming the building for UFW icon Huerta is an idea that has considerable support among faculty and students, according to a number of campus community members who have weighed in on the topic. Professor of Mexican American Studies Dr. Angelica Gonzalez said Huerta is deserving.
“Hopefully this sets a precedent for women,” she said. “We’re constantly about men and their accolades. We’re forgetting about the women. It’s hard to find a lot of information about many women who did something consequential.”
Gonzalez said Chicano history glorifies lots of men like Padre Miguel Hidalgo and Jose Maria Morelos, but too few women.
“All this makes me wonder who promoted (Chavez) so much to the point we’re naming streets and buildings after him?” she said. “I am on board with renaming the Student Services Center for Dolores Huerta (but) now my guard is up on idolizing folks. But if (the community wants the building named for Huerta), then I would be in support. She was the brains of the operation.”
