JENNA JAUREGUI
FEATURES EDITOR
His bronze figure stands vigilant at the top of the stairs, his unseeing eyes gazing over the San Marcos valley. The words “SI SE PUEDE” mark the step beneath him, motivating CSUSM students to climb the last flight while signifying the “yes, it can be done” attitude that Cesar Chavez carried with him through his life. Prejudice, injustice, poverty, and other hardships could not break his demand for Latino civil rights. While many students appreciate the Cesar Chavez holiday this Thursday, it needn’t be just another day off. Just as Chavez made a difference in the lives of American farm workers, CSUSM students can honor his spirit by bettering the lives of their neighbors.
Tuesday, March 29, and Wednesday, March 30, CSUSM will host a blood drive honoring Dolores Huerta, who founded the United Farm Workers of America with Chavez in 1962 and served as its first vice president. A single mother of 11 children, Huerta spent much of her life as a social and political activist for Latino and women’s rights. In 2000, she received blood transfusions that saved her from complications due to an intestinal problem. In recognition of her remarkable life and her passion for helping others, the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) at CSUSM invites students to donate blood, save lives, and help the program reach its goal as it competes with other colleges in the 2011 Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive Challenge.
The blood drive will take place in the Library Plaza from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. both days. Students may e-mail CAMP for more information at [email protected] or call 760-750-4280. The American Red Cross recommends that donors should drink 16 oz of water and eat a healthy meal before their appointment. Relax and remember that every donation may save three lives. For more tips, visit redcrossblood.org.
CAMP offers students from migrant laborer and farm worker backgrounds the opportunity to succeed in college. According to csusm.edu/camp, the national program has helped thousands of students accomplish their educational goals in a span of over thirty years. Ever since CSUSM was awarded the CAMP grant in 2002, the program has “offered students pre-college transition and first-year support services to help develop the skills needed to stay in school and successfully graduate from college.” Many students have gone through CAMP and succeeded in obtaining a college degree. The spirit of Chavez’s motto, “si se puede,” rings true for these students as well as all CSUSM students who overcome challenges to improve their futures.
Photo courtesy of britannica.com