"It is not enough to teach our young people to be successful...so they can realize their ambitions, so they can earn good livings, so they can accumulate the material things that this society bestows. Those are worthwhile goals. But it is not enough to progress as individuals while our friends and neighbors are left behind."
- Cesar Chavez
I look back at my childhood and the dreams and aspirations I once held. In many respects I hold on to those still. My mother instilled in me a deep desire not to forget. Not to forget who I am and were I came from. For her it was important for me to recognize the struggle and suffering it took for her to bring me here to this country. Today our generation -the generation of sons and daughters born of immigrant parents - can proudly honor their struggle for a better America. In just a few days we will witness history. Generations after us will look back at this moment as one of our greatest. The generation that has struggled for so long to keep loyal to the ideals of an American dream that has been shattered by the corrupt and greedy. Our dear Cesar Chavez said it best, "Our struggle is not easy. Those who oppose our cause are rich and powerful and they have many allies in high places. We are poor. Our allies are few. But we have something the rich do not own. We have our bodies and spirits and the justice of our cause as our weapons." Let us proudly celebrate this great accomplishment of unity.
Yet, we must realize that our struggles and sacrifices are not over. It is now up to us to show the rest of the world what we are made of. To bring to light what we truly represent as Americans. A nation of compassionate people. A light to the world that reflects a great power, the people. May this light shine once again. Let the world see us as Americans united in a common hope, in a common desire, in a common dream.
We must now begin the real work of unity. We must now begin the next phase of this American experience. What we have learned from the last eight years is that we can no longer turn our backs on one another. We must work together in order to accomplish true success. Again Cesar Chavez says it best, "We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community...Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own."
Let us go forward and begin the work that must be done.
Paz y Amor.
Enrique Vergara
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