The new film Cesar Chavez brings to life the famed civil rights leader, who organized farm laborers and fought to secure a living wage and better working conditions in the fields. He founded the United Farm Workers union in California in 1962, and his work inspired millions of people in the U.S. and internationally. Actor Michael Peña, who plays Chavez, spoke with Tell Me More host Michel Martin about how he prepared for the role and what it meant to him and his family.
Interview Highlights
On not knowing much about Cesar Chavez before the film
Growing up with two parents that are farm workers — not farmers — the only thing that I knew about him were the streets that were named after him, the schools that were named after him, and a little bit of the story that he worked with farm workers. Me, I’m a Mexican-American, and I don’t know about one of the biggest heroes that we have. That gave me, you know, added motivation to tell this guy’s story.
On learning more about Cesar Chavez
It didn’t surprise me that he was a vegetarian. He actually loved all these vegetables that he was fighting for — fighting for the workers that, you know, picked them. But also, he was a devout Christian. He read a lot about Gandhi. But the thing that really, I guess, surprised me was: here was a guy who was just a strategist, and he was asked to lead the movement because all his ideas were very practical and very good, you know, at the meetings. I don’t know about you, but for me, if I got to present any kind of award, I’m shaking in my pants.