Show me the suffering of the most miserable, so I may know my people’s plight.
Free me to pray for others, for you are present in every person.
Help me to take responsibility for my own life, so that I can be free at last.
Grant me courage to serve others, for in service there is true life.
Give me honesty and patience, so that I can work with other workers.
Bring forth song and celebration, so that the Spirit will be alive among us.
Let the Spirit flourish and grow, so that we will never tire of the struggle.
Let us remember those who have died for justice, for they have given us life.
Help us love even those who hate us, so we can change the world. Amen.
- a prayer written by Cesar E. Chavez (1927-1993)
A two-year debate over whether or not to rename a prominent Portland street after labor activist Cesar E. Chavez is back in the news again as advocates for the change have launched a new push for the move. Grand Avenue, Broadway and NE 39th are the streets under consideration for the name change. A previous proposal to rename Interstate Avenue failed after an acrimonious debate that was sometimes racist in tone. Our nation owes a great deal to Chavez for his moral leadership in organizing and drawing attention to the plight of farm workers. Unfortunately, there is still a great deal of work left to be accomplished in this area. Renaming a Portland street after Chavez would both honor his legacy and lift up the needs of farm workers today. As a resident of a neighborhood that borders both Broadway and NE 39th, I would welcome the move. The United Church of Christ has a long history of supporting the farm worker labor movement and I hope that this proposal receives strong backing not only from members of our denomination in the area but also from all people concerned about social justice.
