When a man or woman, young, or old, takes a place on the picket line for even a day or two, he will never be the same again.
Interpretation
Taking a stand for one's beliefs transforms a person's perspective and commitment to social justice.
Cesar Chavez's quote highlights the profound impact that participating in activism, such as standing on a picket line, can have on an individual. It suggests that even a brief engagement in the struggle for rights and justice can lead to lasting changes in a person's understanding and dedication to these causes, underlining the transformative power of collective action and courage in the face of adversity.
In practice
In a speech about social responsibility, one might use this quote to encourage young people to stand up for their beliefs.
I became a vegetarian after realizing that animals feel afraid, cold, hungry and unhappy like we do. I feel very deeply about vegetarianism and the animal kingdom. It was my dog Boycott who led me to question the right of humans to eat other sentient beings.
I think one of the great, great problems...is confusing people to the point where they become immobile. In fact, the more things people can find out for themselves, the more vigor the organization is going to have.
In the final analysis it doesn't really matter what the political system is...We don't need perfect political systems; we need perfect participation.
There is enough love and good will in our movement to give energy to our struggle and still have plenty left over to break down and change the climate of hate and fear around us.
Our union represents a breaking away...represents sharing a power, represent questioning, represents a new force...however long it takes, we are geared for a struggle.
Every time we sit at a table at night or in the morning to enjoy the fruits and grain and vegetables from our good earth, remember that they come from the work of men and women and children who have been exploited for generations.
I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel.
People have responded to my stories so well. They come up after a show and say things like, 'Your album really helped me,' or 'I have stage four cancer. I'm terminally ill.' Somebody told me it gave them the courage to die.
Being able to turn to Jesus after the shark attack kept me alive.
It's normal that there be fear, in every man, the important thing is that it be accompanied by courage
Continuously, we have to fight to defeat the primitive tendency towards the glorification of arms, the adulation of force, born of the illusion that injustice can be perpetuated by the capacity to kill, or that disputes are necessarily best resolved by resort to violent means.
Action cures fear. Indecision, postponement, on the other hand, fertilize fear.
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