Si Se Puede

by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist

It has been less than two weeks since the world saw a hundred thousand people in Chicago’s Grant Park cheering the next First Family with chants of “Yes We Can!” and “Yes We Did!” It was an electrifying night, made wondrous by the victory, the beautiful weather, the celebrities mixed in with the regular folks, and the crowd’s incessant chanting. Barack Obama had co-opted the phrase “Yes We Can!” from the old United Farm Workers’ organizing slogan, “Si Se Puede,” early in the campaign and made it into his rallying cry.

This morning while listening to National Public Radio (NPR) I learned the rest of the story on how the phrase originated. It occurred in 1972 while Cesar Chavez was holding a hunger strike in Phoenix in an effort to influence the repeal of some Arizona anti-farm workers legislation. Delores Huerta, the co-founder of the United Farm Workers, arrived in Phoenix to assist with the operation and wound up coining the powerful phrase while speaking to a group of supporters in Phoenix. Earlier this year Candidate Obama asked Ms. Huerta for permission to freely use the slogan that she created, and the perennial activist happily consented.

This story caught my attention for a couple of reasons. First, I live in the Phoenix metropolitan area and am beginning to feel some ownership in this hellhole. Second, I like the phrase. It is short, easy to say, and sizzles with raw energy. And third, I know and like Delores Huerta. She was one of our fellow travelers on the Feminist Cruise across the Caribbean in early 2007. During that cruise I listened to her enlighten and inspire several workshops that focused on such diverse topics as women in the workplace, and women in prison. I had a brief discussion with her regarding an elderly female friend of mine who is rotting in her wheelchair in a California prison, and Ms. Huerta showed an honest concern for the lady and her miserable situation. Having once served on the state parole board, she was able to give me some honest insight into how the California penal system works – poorly, unfairly, and with the odds stacked against those without means or influence.

But back to the topic of inspiration…

“Yes We Can!” is much more than a catchy phrase. It is an attitude, an entire belief system encapsulated into three little words. It is truly power to the people. “Yes We Can!” or the original “Si Se Puede!” is small and mighty – very much like Delores Huerta!