Elegy for Cesar Chavez - Softcover

Anaya, Rudolfo A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0938317806 ISBN 13: 9780938317807

Publisher: Cinco Puntos Press, 2004

Synopsis

The heroic life of labor and civil rights activist César Chavéz greatly influenced the political and creative thinking of famed Chicano novelist Rudolfo Anaya. After Chavéz’ death in 1992, Anaya wrote this poem eulogizing the man and his life’s work. Echoing Shelley’s elegy on the death of John Keats, the poem expresses the grief of la gente, but closes by calling all peoples together to continue the non-violent struggle for freedom and justice. The book—endorsed by the César Chavéz Foundation—includes an essay by Anaya detailing the effect that Chavéz had on his own vision and a chronology of Chavéz’ life. Powerful super realistic illustrations by Gaspar Enriquez bring home the significance of César Chavéz to the American cultural landscape.

"This elegy captures the love of farm workers and the Latino community, all who yearn for justice, for this irreplaceable hero. César's life is the lucero, the light that provides vision to the path, with the glow of energy generated by the struggle. This elegy invites all to march in César's path, to attain the hope and promise of his legacy—a legacy made simple by César so everyone can participate in the quest for justice. César's lucero spotlighted the attainable victory, the solution to end the suffering of farm workers, a union, "the farm workers' house of justice" where those that feed the world can end their suffering and have a final voice over their lives and destinies." —Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers

Rudolfo Anaya (his classic novel Bless Me, Ultima has 1,000,000-plus in print) has earned international acclaim for his skillful mingling of realism, fantasy and myth while exploring the experiences of Hispanics in the American Southwest. Besides being the author of numerous novels and children’s books, Mr. Anaya has been called "the godfather of Chicano literature" and "un hijo del pueblo" for his work as an activist for the literature of his people and his region. He lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Artist Gaspar Enriquez is nationally known for his super-realistic, airbrush paintings of young men and women from the barrios of his hometown El Paso. Using the same technique, he collaged images of César Chavéz, farm workers, police, newspaper article, fields of grapes and icons of La Raza and Aztlán to create the ambiance of the life and times of this hero.

About this title

From the Publisher:

A full-color book illustrating Rudolfo Anayas poetic tribute to Csar Chvez, an American hero.

From the Author:

When César Chávez died, a shroud of mourning fell over all who knew, loved, and respected him. We knew we had lost a special man from our community, one who had influenced so many lives. We didn’t have to know him personally to feel the loss, we knew that his life had bettered the lives of many farm workers.

There are many ways to honor the spirit of the man. I did it by writing this elegy. We can honor him by dedicating some part of our lives to helping others. Getting an education and serving our families and communities also honors César. So does knowing our history and the accomplishments of our great men and women.

When I heard of his death, I felt I needed to say something about his life. I needed to give expression to my feelings. So the elegy poured out, my gift for César. Writing the elegy not only honors César, it was a way for me to deal with his death.

This poem is only one small offering.
—Rudolfo Anaya

About this edition

• Publisher: Cinco Puntos Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0938317806
• ISBN 13: 9780938317807
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Enriquez Gaspar