Cesar Chavez Day versus Chico State party culture
Photo credit: Jaime Munoz
There is (probably) not one person on the Chico State campus who is upset about school being out of session on Friday. This three day weekend will be filled with sunshine, late nights and good friends. Cesar Chavez Day is a very popular day among university students to go out, wear sombreros and drink Tequila. Although I’m always down for a house party and some Margaritas, the real history of this holiday should put any drunk sombrero-wearing student to shame.
Cesar Chavez Day was proclaimed as a federal holiday in 2014, according to telesur. This day-off celebrates the legacy of Cesar Chavez, a civil rights and labor movement activist. Chavez co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, participated in walk-outs, fasts, as well as created legislative campaigns and participated in activism for workers’ and immigrant rights in California and the U.S.
So, as a party culture ridden group of young adults, we honor Chavez’s legacy and work by getting drunk at sunrise and culturally appropriating the Mexican dress. That is the most blatant example of disrespect if I have ever seen one. This holiday should be about history, education and volunteer work in honor of this man who changed the lives of so many people in around the country, especially in California.
I know that doesn’t sound as fun as going out with friends, soaking in the sunshine and dancing to good music all night long. Maybe we can come up with a compromise. It doesn’t make you a bad person to go out this weekend and get drunk at 6 a.m. or dance your butt off until 4 a.m. It does make you look ignorant and disrespectful when you do it with a sombrero on your head, mock Mexican language or post pictures on Instagram of you and your friends blacked out wearing ponchos. Don’t do it.
Antonio L Garcia // Mar 31, 2024 at 6:41 am
“John is an idiot,” No, you’re the type of person that “this school and community doesn’t want.” Stop trying to talk like you’re a native to this area or this part of the state. You reek of the bay area (which isn’t NorCal, just F.Y.I.) or perhaps even socal, which is neither wanted nor needed in this community or NorCal in general. You should be the one leaving. You wouldn’t bust a grape in a fruit fight 😆!! Please leave, you and all of your fellow bay area/socal people, help clean up the Northstate. Thanks 😊
John // Apr 6, 2018 at 3:16 pm
Honestly, this narrative of there being a ton of ignorant, sombrero wearing frat boys running around blasting Mariachi music is so false.
During my entire Caesar Chavez weekend, I went to a ton of party events that included many different crowds. Not ONCE did I see the infamous stereotype portrayed as some cultural boogyman here on campus. Nowhere did I see the “Sombrero Wearing Ignorant White Guy”.
If you are going to make a political correctness boogyman, at least have it exist.
John is an idiot // Apr 9, 2018 at 5:06 pm
Found the racist who wishes he could get away with wearing a sombrero, but knows he is just a weak little boy who would get his ass beat. So you have to come online and be a coward behind your keyboard. Drop out and go away, this school and community doesn’t want you.
Dr Martin // Mar 31, 2018 at 7:55 am
Dolores Huerta. Huerta-Chavez day. (Spanish language order of surnames). It’s ok for students to be silly and have fun. I’m certain people consider the ‘source’. However, as a society, we should rename the holiday appropriately, and accurately. In my opinion, this is how we need to respect both the founderS and the movement.
As for the date, it’s perfectly aligned with spring break. March has too many workdays anyway!
Helen Medina // Mar 30, 2018 at 12:13 am
Right on!
Andrew // Mar 28, 2018 at 6:22 pm
I was planning to go to Chico State this coming Fall. The Party Scene sounds FUN!!!