Statement from the Latina/Latino Studies Department regarding corroborated allegations of sexual violence by César Chávez
The Department of Latina/Latino Studies denounces the acts of sexual and gender-based violence committed by César Chávez. We commend the courage of the women who have come forward – Ana Murguia, Debra Rojas, and Dolores Huerta.
We also recognize that this moment is larger than one charismatic leader who abused girls and women, and that it is reflective of ongoing patriarchy within social movements and U.S. society. We condemn patriarchy that exists within workplaces, in families, in movement spaces, in churches, and in various other organizations and institutions that permit people to be targeted because of their age, gender identity, or sexuality. We also condemn networks of accomplices and apologists that enable sexual violence to exist in these spaces.
As a department we support student-led actions to change the name of SF State’s student center as a step towards addressing the sexual violence inflicted upon Ana Murguia, Debra Rojas, Dolores Huerta, and other girls and women who have experienced unsafe conditions during social movement building.
A principled commitment to the eradication of sexual violence does not end with the painting over of a mural or the renaming of a building. The faculty of the Latina/Latino Studies department affirm our commitment to mutual support in our journeys to heal individually and collectively.