To the editor: As César Chávez’s storied legacy is additional revealed to have seemingly included rape and abuse, monuments to him are being rapidly eliminated (“From streets to murals, the erasure of Cesar Chavez is fast underway in California,” March 21).
It may be extra instructive to incorporate the fuller particulars of the person in his all-too-human failings alongside his notable advocacy and organizing efforts, which did profit many.
There’s seemingly no hero who hasn’t fallen of their historical past not directly. These views, fairly than be hidden or leading to whole removing and denial of their in any other case laudable accomplishments, may paint a clearer, extra true-to-life image of those imperfect but very human figures.
There was a widespread motion to take away statues of Accomplice leaders, which has additionally been extensively reversed. These monuments would possibly likewise show extra invaluable in the event that they had been soberly thought-about and their topic’s histories, together with contributions and misdeeds, had been used as training as a substitute of both/or political footballs.
Dan Brumer, Encino
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To the editor: I’m neither defending nor advocating for Chávez. I by no means knew him. It’s unlucky that he’s not alive to clarify himself and take accountability. However, whereas alive and advocating, he didn’t anticipate the sainthood that was foisted on him upon his dying. Society, in a must elevate its sense of humanity, did this.
He was only a man doing what he felt he wanted to do to assist himself and others. Like every other man, he had his shortcomings and a few of them had been ugly. Decide up any historical past guide and also you’ll come throughout a dozen traditionally essential males who dedicated the identical sins and far worse. We may begin with Christopher Columbus and finish with Donald Trump.
I sincerely grieve with all of Chávez’s victims which have endured these experiences all through the years, alone and in secret, till now. Nonetheless, any progress made in favor of area employees shouldn’t be decreased by his private and unacceptable conduct. He was simply one in every of many advocates concerned. Though he might have been on the entrance of the motion, we all know there have been a whole lot working by his aspect.
Maria Martinez Stewart, Santa Monica
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To the editor: Lower than every week since Chávez was publicly accused of sexually abusing three ladies, together with the much-revered Dolores Huerta, Chávez’s title is being erased from public squares.
In a reprehensible irony, our present president, a person present in court docket as liable for sexual abuse, continues each day to plaster his title on public buildings with the self-discipline of an untrained canine. For disgrace.
Judith Remy Leder, Fullerton
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To the editor: My resolution: Paint over all of the Chávez murals with Huerta’s likeness. She deserves recognition for her work and for the neglect and abuse she suffered.
Lynne Hiller, Beverly Hills
