In the fall of 1997, Cesar Chavez Learning Center opened in East Dallas, roughly four years after the man it is named after died. This week, the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees will vote to change the school’s name and revise the processes for naming and renaming schools.
The discussion on the former became necessary after a New York Times story in March detailed horrific allegations that the civil rights leader abused very young girls, and allegedly raped others in the farm union movement, including Latina activist Dolores Huerta, who ran the United Farm Workers union with Chavez.
The initial fallout was swift. The UFW canceled its annual Cesar Chavez celebrations, even before the Times published its story, saying the allegations were “deeply troubling.” The foundation named after him says its members are “deeply shocked and saddened.” Cities across Texas canceled events honoring Chavez, which typically happen in March. The City of Dallas quickly dropped Cesar Chavez Day, opting instead to establish April 10 as Dolores Huerta Day. (A City Council working group is exploring potential replacement names for Cesar Chavez Blvd.)…