REBEKA SMYTH: ...President Biden decided to showcase, well, diversity- by placing paintings, for example, of Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Alexander Hamilton. But there is one particular piece that, as Hispanics, fills us with pride.
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We’re talking about the bronze bust of César Chávez, the agricultural leader that fought to create awareness about the harsh conditions endured by farmworkers in the United States.
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PAUL CHAVEZ: The bust signals a new dawn, a new day
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SMYTH: Cesar’s dream was that Latinos would have a seat at the table. And today, they don’t just have a seat at the table- we have a spot in the Oval Office. Perhaps the most important office in the world.
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SMYTH: The Chavez family is synonymous with struggle. And Cesar Chavez’ granddaughter, Paul’s niece, will also be involved with the Biden Administration
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SMYTH: Thus the Chavez family continues to make history in this country.
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SMYTH: An incredible story and it fills me with pride that Biden would decide to have Cesar Chavez’ bust, someone who represents Hispanics and has fought so hard for them. But something very interesting, Stephanie, is that I asked Paul, Cesar’s son, how the bust made it to the White House from Los Angeles. And he tells me that they talked to him about borrowing it. And he thought that it was going to be (tucked) in some corner of the White House…
SYMONIDIS: Of course…
SMYTH: ...and he found out in the news…
SYMONIDIS: What a thrill!
SMYTH: ...that it would be inside the Oval Office, and they told him, “we’re asking to borrow it for 4 years but it could be for 8”.
SYMONIDIS: Oh, such a thrill. To me it’s just fabulous, Rebeka, and I’m very happy to hear that his son continues to fight for farmworker rights because all the farmworkers need more assistance. I believe the struggle is constant, it’s a daily effort, many of their rights are not defended and I believe we all must carry on the struggle, as do organizations such as Paul’s.
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SMYTH: And so the Chavez family is, without a doubt, a fighting family that represents Hispanics and says that where there’s a will, there’s a way.
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SMYTH: (Biden’s) personal touch (in the Oval Office) is undoubtedly based on democracy, and on the Founders of this country, which seems great to me, and also diversity.
SYMONIDIS: That’s right, and they said that one of the busts they removed was Winston Churchill’s- to be replaced (with the bust) of Cesar Chavez, so…
SMYTH: Well. Cesar Chavez has more history in this country than does Winston Churchill.
SYMONIDIS: No doubt.