Posted on 08/16/2002 4:16:09 AM PDT by chance33_98
PV board rejects Chavez high school name; protest erupts
By KAREN A. DAVIS
Sentinel staff writer
WATSONVILLE — By a 6-1 vote, Pajaro Valley Unified School Board trustees rejected naming the city’s new high school after Cesar E. Chavez in favor of Pajaro Valley High School — a name several said would be more unifying for the district than that of the legendary labor leader.
After the decision, most of the estimated 200 people in attendance began chanting in protest, which prompted board President Carol Roberts to request the room be cleared. A number of those forced out of the meeting soon reconvened outside the building, demonstrating in support of the Chavez name.
"We feel it’s a slap in the face to the community," said Luis Alejo, executive director of the Watsonville-based Student Empowerment Project.
"A lot of these young people (who supported this) are going to be in a position to run for office in a few years," Alejo said. "Then we won’t have to beg anymore."
Also rejected was Freedom High School, which supporter Mas Hashimoto said would have unified the district, as well as preserve one of the area’s historic names. Still, others pointed to the importance of naming the school for a person rather than a place.
"This is about a role model who will motivate our youngsters to become greater than what they are," said resident Francisco Juarez.
Other Chavez supporters told the board it should heed the request of the majority and recognize that change has touched the face of the Pajaro Valley in recent generations.
"Present today are the parents of children who are the new long-term residents of Watsonville," said Elias Alonzo. The city’s population is about 75 percent Latino.
"It’s time we had a school named after the people and (a name) that reflects the history of Watsonville," said Watsonville High School student Isabel Flores.
In fact, most school names in Santa Cruz County have traditionally honored local residents, with the exception of Cabrillo College, which was named for a Portuguese navigator who explored the California coast as the leader of a Spanish expedition. Several other schools have been also been named for geographic locations, including Aptos and Watsonville high schools.
Still, several members of the Chavez family spoke in support of naming the school after their patriarch, including Chavez’s daughter Rita Medina, a nephew, Rudy Medina, and a grandson, Juan Villarino.
"Cesar was more than just a union leader," said Rudy Medina. "He stood for social justice, communication and nonviolence."
In all, about 45 people spoke to the matter, with most supporting the Chavez name.
But some longtime residents decried allowing the school to be named for the preference of any one ethnic group.
"If we are going with one culture, what are we saying to the others?" asked lifelong resident Shawna Lynn.
"Cesar Chavez believed there is only one race — the human race," countered Catherine Shaw.
Trustee Dan Hankemeier moved to accept the name Pajaro Valley High School. Sandra Nichols promptly amended that the name be Cesar E. Chavez "based primarily on the name’s ability to inspire." That amendment failed, with only she and Robert Garcia voting yes. Garcia again moved to amend the name to Cesar E. Chavez, but that amendment died for lack of a second.
"We have to choose a name that is going to be welcoming to everyone," said Willie Yahiro. "I’ve had parents call me to say they won’t send their kids to that school."
In the end, the board voted 6-1 to accept Pajaro Valley High School, with Garcia as the lone dissenter.
Imagine! Naming the school after the community! Now, that is a slap in the face of the community.
Leftists are lacking in logic.
In Spanish it has several connotations besides the obvious. in some parts of Latin Amaerica "pajaro" is slang for something other than birds and is rather vulgar.
I would have named it for Torquemada. A man that helped convert Muslims into good Spaniards.
If common sense still reigned in America, and 75% of the population wanted the school named after Chavez, the majority would rule. But since the Left has established and so forcefully enforced the "right to not be offended" rule, the leftwingers who support Chavez are, as they say, "hoist on their own petard". Just goes to show, justice can sometimes seem ironic.
Don't get me wrong, I'm no fan of Political Correctness, nor am I sympathetic to Cesar Chavez and the neo-coms who support him. I just like the idea of local control over local issues, with the will of the majority presiding.
In other words, there's no good reason why if we can have high schools all over America named after Martin Luther King, that there should not also high schools named after the likes of J.E.B. Stuart or Stonewall Jackson, if the majority of the community likes it that way.
Just my $.02 worth...
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.... Oh Lord, spare me, I have so many things left to do on this earth, and after that line, I'm dyin' here....
Thanks for a great belly laugh Cacique! Great way to start the morning!
Great input. Far as I know, the main meaning is still "bird".
Fortunately, we are not "in some parts of Latin America", and the language here is English.
Imagine moving to Guatemala and "demonstrating" indignantly to name a new school "David Duke High School".
Makes as much sense.
They're always wearing a jacket.
Tee hee... I kill me... ;0)
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