A Good Example of Solidarity
By Eduardo Stanley
The City of Fresno recently swapped out signs of Ventura and California avenues and Kings Canyon Road for their new name, Cesar Chavez Boulevard. When the City Council discussed a similar proposed change in the 1990s, it was resisted by the status quo of the city, which finally prevailed, even though there was strong pressure from the Latino community.
A strong sense of unfairness was felt by this community. But finally, three decades later, Fresno paid homage to the farmworker leader. This time, there was also some resistance; changes usually are greeted by some sort of resistance. This change of name brings pride and a sense of fairness to a community that accounts for more than half the population of the city, like in many other cities of the San Joaquin Valley. Of course, Latinos got support from other communities as well.
Solidarity among communities is crucial to promote positive changes in our community, especially when one or more of them is under attack from “the top.” One particular example is the strong and active involvement of Japanese Americans against unjust incarceration. They suffered unfair incarceration during World War II—basically due to racism—and that experience is now leading them to protest the inhumane treatment of detainees in similar concentration camps, particularly immigrants and refugees. In this issue, the Community Alliance brings you a story about this example of solidarity.
Together, we can do good for us and others and our community at large. The Valley could be a better place to live. Together, we can make a difference.
Till next month.
