For many, César Chávez is the face of the farmworkers movement. As co-founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW) union, he helped secure better pay and working conditions for thousands of farmers. Yet recently, The New York Times (NYT) found extensive evidence that Chávez sexually abused multiple women during his time as an activist.
The allegations shattered Chávez’s image as the figurehead of one of the most significant civil rights movements. But the effect was worsened by an unfortunate truth: we have credited the accomplishments of thousands of individuals to only one man. Chávez’s case captures a broader issue with how we view historical figures — we have erased the distinction between the man and the movement.
This reverence for historical figures is widespread. On March 22, the Trump administration placed a statue of Christopher Columbus in front of the White House. Columbus, a Spanish-backed explorer whose actions contributed to the deaths of thousands of Native Americans and who exploited Indigenous women and girls, is still considered a hero in the modern era. Such idolization not only diminishes these figures’ faults but hinders an honest historical perspective.
While many once-favorably viewed figures were eventually exposed for misconduct, the decades-long delay of justice in Chávez’s case showcases a preference for image over truth. The NYT’s investigation reported that many of the women who were assaulted said “they were discouraged from speaking out to preserve Mr. Chávez’s public image.”
To be fair, having a public face in a movement does play a major role in its success — it rallies support, unifies people, and transforms ideas into action. Chávez embodied these tactics to amplify the impact of the farmworkers’ movement.
However, attributing a movement’s success to one individual keeps other names out of history. In terms of the UFW, figures like Dolores Huerta and Larry Itliong were largely overshadowed while “spokesperson” Chávez revelled in the spotlight. Huerta was the lead negotiator for the first contract with agricultural businesses to increase wages for farmworkers. Itliong led more than 1500 Filipino farmworkers in a strike against Delano grape growers, demanding higher wages and better working conditions. Chávez, Huerta, and Itliong should be held in equal regard for their contributions to the movement.
By idolizing flawed figures, we risk celebrating their wrongdoings and disregarding the justice deserved by those they harmed. Viewing historical figures in an entirely positive light is not just boring — it is not reflective of humanity. Going forward, we must learn to separate movements from their leaders, celebrating the accomplishments of many rather than fixating on the actions of one.
