At San José State, the “César Chávez Arch” is more often avoided than admired because of a superstition that warns students that if they walk underneath it, they won’t graduate.
The “César Chávez Arch,” formally titled The Arch of Dignity, Equality, and Justice, was created in 2008 by artist and activist Judy Baca, according to an SJSU webpage
SJSU commissioned the piece to honor labor leaders and civil rights advocates of the United Farm Workers (UFW), co-founded by César Chávez, according to the same source.
The arch features mosaic tiles and murals that connect Spanish and Indigenous traditions, inspired by legacies from UFW co-founder, Dolores Huerta and Indian independence leader, Mahatma Gandhi.
Despite the arch’s significant historical and artistic value, it has become a point of anxiety for students who fear walking under it.
The superstition surrounding the arch adds unnecessary stress to students already grappling with the pressures of college and discourages them from engaging with its historical significance.
Superstitions are a way for our minds to cope with uncertainty and regain a sense of control and comfort, particularly when we feel helpless or anxious, according to Care Counseling’s “The Psychology of Superstitions” webpage.
A well-known superstition is the saying, “step on a crack, break your mother’s back,” which adds an element of caution to something as simple as walking on the sidewalk.
In a similar way, the “César Chávez Arch” creates its own superstitious reactions.
When I first arrived at SJSU as a freshman, I admired the arch and its surroundings without any concern.
However, after learning about the superstition, I started avoiding going near the arch.
Baca intended for students and visitors to become symbolically transformed from bystanders to activists as they walked through it, according to the SJSU webpage.
Still, on this campus, many students steer clear of the arch for fear that walking through it will somehow prevent graduation, which has become a lasting part of campus culture.
It’s disappointing to have walked past a piece meant to celebrate activism and unity and treat it more like a threat than an invitation.
The desire to graduate and the small effort it took to avoid the arch became a routine, and three years later, I had grown accustomed to taking the detour.
But, as graduation approached, I started to question why I had let a superstition guide my behavior for so long, especially when it kept me from fully appreciating a space meant to honor resilience and justice.
The fear of walking under the arch may stem from a deep-rooted need for reassurance and stability during a time when the future feels uncertain.
Avoiding the arch may feel like a form of protection, but it also means missing out on a chance to connect with the past of San José’s history of advocacy.
Superstitions surrounding works of art are not unique to the SJSU campus; other universities have their own traditions.
Last year, while studying abroad in Paris, I encountered a similar superstition about the statue of French philosopher Michel de Montaigne near Sorbonne University.
Students there rub the toe of his bronze shoe before taking exams for good luck, according to a World in Paris webpage.
Our class followed the tradition, and to my surprise, I scored a perfect score on one of our final quizzes and passed the class.
It wasn’t because of Montaigne’s shiny shoe or even because I had walked under the arch, but because of the hard work I put in.
The experience I had in Paris, like my time at SJSU, highlighted how deeply students seek symbols of reassurance in their academic journeys, especially when those symbols are within their control.
While superstitions may offer comfort, it’s important to remember that success is built on dedication, not on avoiding a piece of art and activism.
Especially during this administration, denying our experience of other cultures and stories only limits our understanding of others’ perspectives.
In the end, avoiding the arch or any symbol doesn’t impact our future, but it’s the choices we make and the actions we take that define us as people.
