Access to clean running water, a toilet, a shower, even a lunch break, are all "rights", or more accurately "privileges", that most Americans take for granted, because they are readily available to us in our homes, schools, and workplaces. Unfortunately, most of us, is not all of us; and in all actuality, we don't have to look very far to find out how "the other half" lives. These others or whom I speak are the very people who make it possible for fresh tomatoes, for example, to make it to your plate, especially between the months of December to May. They are farm workers.
"If you have eaten a tomato this winter, chances are very good that it was picked by a person who lives in virtual slavery." (Estabrook, 2009)This radical statement didn't come from an activist publication, or a liberal talk show. It came from Gourmet Magazine, who, apparently despite its love for tomatoes and all good food, also believes in having a conscience. The article continues to outline the harsh realities facing many of today's farm workers here in America. The harsh reality of a farm worker's life may include long, tedious, backbreaking work, for extremely low pay, but can sometimes extend to the extreme of actually being held hostage and beaten (there are many documented cases, especially in Florida, which of course underscores the existence of many more undocumented cases). It is because of the range of issues from fair pay to pesticides which have faced farm workers that Cesar Chavez, former young migrant worker, Navy serviceman and World War II veteran, became a labor leader and a civil rights activist.
In 1962, Chavez, along with Delores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which became the United Farm Workers (UFW). His tireless leadership included the Delano grape strike and the 340-mile march to Sacramento in 1966. Farm workers, carrying banners emblazoned with the UFW eagle, wanted better pay and safer working conditions. They wanted the state government to pass laws that would permit them to organize into a union and allow collective bargaining agreements.
In 19687, inspired by the teachings of Gandhi, Chavez went on the first of many water only fasts. He said, "Farm workers everywhere are angry and worried that we cannot win without violence. We have proved it before through persistence, hard work, faith and willingness to sacrifice. We can win and keep our own self-respect and build a great union that will secure the spirit of all people..."
Cesar Chavez (March 31, 1927 - April 23, 1993) began an important work, and engaged the imagination, enthusiasm, and energy of many people - from the previously unrepresented farm workers, to great leaders of our nation, like Robert F. Kennedy and Jesse Jackson; from average citizens to celebrities. He did all of this while always holding firm to his principles of non-violent social justice and change.
But as the article mentioned above illustrates, the work is not done. Great strides have been made, but it still stretches the imagination of many Americans that all members of our society, even undocumented ones, are entitled to humane treatment and safe working conditions. As we purchase fresh produce in our grocery stores, we often do so in the ignorance of the realities that allow them to reach our carts and our plates. In reality, whether slaves to the unrelenting cycle of poverty faced by many migrant and farm workers, or actual slaves held in the captivity of their labor masters who benefit from their labor while abusing them, all of these "slaves" need the voice of the many to speak out on their behalf.
The greatest travesty would be to allow these injustices to continue to take place under our amber skies. In our "land of the free", modern day slavery must be abolished by holding the perpetrators of this abuse of humanity, as well as the systems that allow them to flourish, accountable. It is the "brave" and necessary thing to do to follow in the footsteps of great human rights leaders like Cesar Chavez to speak out, to care, so that our wealthy nation will no longer be the home of the double standard; no longer the home of the cheapest tomato with the greatest human cost.
We would like to invite you to join tens of thousands of people across the country in the Cesar Chavez Campaign by stopping by the Cultural Center to sign a petition to make Cesar Chavez's Birthday a National Holiday. As it stands, Cesar Chavez Day is a holiday in eight states (AZ, CA, CO, MI, NM, TX, UT, WI) and dozens of cities and counties throughout the nation. Honoring Cesar Chavez allows us to continue the dialogue for a more just society.
Estabrook, B. (2009, March). Politics of the Plate: The price of tomatoes. Retrieved March 2009, from www.gourmet.com
For education about some of the issues related to sustainable food, and farm workers, check these articles out:
Human Cost of Cheap food
http://food.change.org/blog/view/the_human_cost_of_cheap_food
Politics of the plate
http://www.gourmet.com/magazine/2000s/2009/03/politics-of-the-plate-the-price-of-tomatoes
culturalcenter.boisestate.edu, or call (208) 426-5950. The Cultural Center is located on the 2nd floor of the Student Union Building.
