Workin’

[Kevin Spidel]

The last few years I have stepped away from political work and organizing to focus on business. From Human Rights organizing to progressive electoral candidates, the campaign trail wore my health and my sanity thin. I came back to Arizona to launch a PR firm, and through this process reconnected to friends and mentors of the past. The last few month's I have been working with Alfredo Gutierrez launch a new web space called La Frontera Times. His idea, the "Huffington Post" of the Immigration Movement.

Working along side my friend Alfredo, I am reminded why I got involved in politics. You see, it was his campaign for Governor in 2002 which brought me into electoral work and getting quality leaders elected. Before that I was strictly involved in community organizing and social change movements. Not involved in traditional campaigns. It was his spirit, his honesty, and his drive for justice that got me started in what was a long trail of campaigns.

Recently I have taken the plunge back into political campaigns taking on a new position at a political consultant firm. I find it interesting that at this point in my life, Alfredo... is by my side again.

This morning he posted an essay about unions and this notion of "work." He dives into his inspiration and his personal journey at a time I, myself, am reflecting. In this essay you see how Cesar inspired him. To this day, Alfredo has inspired me. Take a moment and please read this article and share, as we reflect "Labor Day."

My college years were intertwined with my awakening as an activist and a lifetime shaped in some indefinable way by Cesar. I was in my first year when I heard that Cesar Chavez was in Tolleson organizing farm workers. We heard of the house meetings that were going on, rumors of a coming strike and finally a mimeographed flyer that announced a meeting where Cesar would speak. A bunch of us cajoled a car and drove ourselves to the trodden down union hall. The place was packed with women, men a mob of kids and suffering from what seemed complete disorder…everyone was speaking simultaneously to everyone else. By our clothes and demeanor we were not farm workers and we were stared at suspiciously but otherwise left alone. After awhile a short fellow stood and began to speak. The room quieted quickly. This was an important guy; he’s probably going to introduce Cesar I thought. I waited for Cesar. I expected a Chicano Martin Luther King that would rivet us with a command of the language and a good preachers oratory. After a moment I realized this was Cesar. He was unremarkable, he was humble, his voice was not powerful, it quivered and was often delicate. I was not impressed. Nonetheless over the next few days his words, the serenity that seemed to surround him and the obvious impact he had on everyone in that room kept coming back to me. It was not long before I was volunteering and organizing in the fields.

The full article is written here: <http://bit.ly/2w9PNP|Workin’….A Personal Recollection>

[Kevin Spidel]

1. edited for spelling

and posted here too: http://spidel.tumblr.com/post/180671824/labor-paying-it-forward

[lunatica]

2. Very well written. I even liked the one comment

I'm proud that UC Berkeley, where I work has a building named after Cesar Chavez. It's obviously one that isn't named after someone who donated a huge amount of money and it's fitting for a public university of such great caliber.

[FarPoint]

3. It's great to see your name out on the Boards again.

You are brilliant and have a blessed soul.

[Kevin Spidel]

4. wow... thx.

feel honored.

i needed the mental break. a fresh look at things and diving back into it full throttle is also helping. I will be in Chicago for this cycle mostly, then doing some work in DC. Stay tuned for updates. Nice to know the community is still here. see many familiar names.

[FarPoint]

6. We worked together thru PDA

activities.......O8)

[Kevin Spidel]

7. family :)

[Kevin Spidel]

5. kick n/t

[Kevin Spidel]

8. one more kick for labor day