I'm a Chicana curator who faced an unenviable decision: to remove Cesar Chavez from my exhibition, 'Chicano Camera Culture.' The portrait by George Rodriguez was meant to celebrate Chavez's role in unionizing farmworkers, but new accusations of abuse forced reconsideration.

Upon learning about the allegations, I contacted Valerie Found, interim director at The Cheech Marin Center. Together we decided to remove the controversial image, while ensuring other works by Rodriguez remained to highlight his crucial documentation of the movement.

The decision was not easy. Chavez is a towering figure in Chicano civil rights history, but as new information emerged, it became clear that parts of his legacy needed re-evaluation. The exhibition now includes a powerful photograph from 1969 showing African-American farmworkers supporting Chavez's union efforts, revealing the inclusive nature of the struggle.

Chavez was indeed a vital figure, but so too were others like Dolores Huerta and Mack Lyons. Their contributions have often been overlooked in favour of his more visible role. This exhibition aims to present a comprehensive history that acknowledges all those who fought for justice in California's fields.