The Legacy Of Farmworker Movement

Between the 1930s and 1950s, the United States government created and implemented labor laws including establishing the minimum wage. However, in every single one of those laws, farm workers were left out. Because of this, farm workers were able to be paid and treated any way their employer wished. This spawned a series of protests that evolved into a labor union, led by a man named Cesar Chavez. Cesar Chavez’s actions during the labor movement make him deserving of the La Raza award because he achieved equal rights for farm workers without the use of violence, and he united people throughout his protests.

As a young and self-educated activist, Cesar wanted to create an organization to protect and serve farm workers. This desire stemmed from enduring the shared hardships of farming families like his. In 1962, he founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers of America. (UCLA)

According to “Cesar Chavez: The Life Behind a Legacy of Farm Labor Rights,” the text states, “...Chavez dedicated his life’s work to improving conditions for the legions of farmworkers who kept fresh food on the tables across America- while they often went hungry, living and being in abysmal conditions and being paid unlivable wages,” (Pao). This depicts that farm workers were living in horrible conditions and barely made enough money to survive in America. Chavez, being who he was, helped these poor farm workers break free of the shackles of poverty. He helped a lot of people and dedicated his life’s work to helping farm workers. Now, after being freed, they worked harder and they were able to provide food and resources for

One reason Cesar Chavez was an effective leader was because he created a union known as the United Farm Workers. Chavez’s goal was to organize the farmers to receive better pay and better working conditions. He was not the first to attempt, others have tried but failed due to the power of growers. He was different, he gained support through encouragement. His exact words were “si se puede”(Doc A) meaning “it can be done”. He encouraged his supporters to seek their rights as farmers. “ The strongest act of manliness, is to sacrifice ourselves for other in a totally nonviolent struggle for justice”(Doc C). Chavez along

Later Chavez became a national leader and resigned in 1962 to devote his time to farm laborers (“Cesar Chavez”). “During this period Chavez encountered the conditions that he would dedicate his life to changing: wretched migrant camps, corrupt labor contractors, meager wages for backbreaking work, bitter racism (Cesar Chavez).” One of biggest factors was the use of pesticides which was harming the health of the farm workers.

Many of the farm workers were not very sympathetic of Cesar Chavez when they first met him, but as he began to talk and express the ideas he had for the movement, workers soon knew that he was the leader they needed. The farm workers were constantly moving from place to place looking for better work opportunities, but they were always afraid of not knowing if they were going to have enough money for gas, to get to their next destination. Cesar Chavez made the farm workers realize that by being passive and not giving up in their movement, no matter the struggle that came along, together they would make their goal

The structural manifestation of the economy manifested itself in two ways. First, each sector’s contribution to the total income of the nation changed in the course of economic growth. As this happened, the nature of the work that laborers performed was also transformed (Olson 288). The value of agriculture as the principal employer started to diminish. As a result, attention of laborers shifted to the manufacturing sector.

United Farm Workers: The United Farm workers are a labor union that was created solely for the farmworkers in the United States. The origins of this labor union came about from two different existing organizations known as the “Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee led by Larry Itliong and the National Farm Workers Association led by Cesar Chavez, and Dolores Huerta. These two organizations decided to work together to fight stronger together for their rights. This term relates to our reading because they are known for the “grape strike” that took place in 1965 in Delano, California. The labor union wanted to fight for their rights against the social injustices between the owners, and the farmers. In our text’s we have seen this constant mistreatment of owners, and their workers, through poor pay, rights, and belittlement because of their cultural ethnicity.

During his lifetime, Cesar Chavez and his followers made many changes and contributions to society. While he was alive, he had the privilege to see what his non-violence actions produced; what they transpired. It is recorded that Chavez began actively organizing workers in the fields in 1952. The California-based Community Service Organization (CSO) recruited and trained for his work. Chavez built new chapters of CSO, led voter registration drives, and helped Mexican-Americans confront issues of police and immigration abuse during the next ten years. In 1958 he became general director of CSO. With

Despite harsh working conditions, farmworkers have worked constantly for years due to the need of necessities for their families along with themselves. After thorough investigation, I have come to a conclusion that even after so many years of protesting as well as working diligently, farmworkers still have experienced unacceptable working conditions, however they were not as bad as the past. There was a definite need for a drastic change due to the working conditions of the farmworkers. Conditions may have improved due to the social justices that Cesar Chavez including The 5 Year Strike has gained. As I was comparing both working conditions of today’s farmworkers with farmworkers of other times in history, I have come to find many differences

Cesar Chavez fought for other migrant farmers because he had experienced what they were experiencing, and thought he should make a difference when Chavez started leading the UFW, United Farm Workers, is when his movement really started. Lots of things happened during Chavez’s childhood “At age 11, his family lost their farm during the Great Depression and became migrant farm workers”(Cesar Chavez Foundation). That is the main reason for why Chavez noticed the issues that were surfacing with workers, this is what got him into the farms. Cesar taught many unforgettable lessons “Cesar learned and taught others how commitment and sacrifice can set you free from the constraints imposed by depending entirely on money and material things”(Cesar Chavez Foundation). The citation shows how Cesar made a big impact on others even if only teaching them. Cesar did many

Cesar Chavez is an important man who wrote an inspiring speech in September 1965. His brilliant speech explains how industrious farm-workers deserve their rights. As the farmers went on strike, they searched for better working conditions and pay increases. The powerful strike took about six weeks that was still developing. Chavez built an organization supporting farmers in California. Cesar Chavez made a unique speech that left a powerful legacy behind him after people read and heard his speech.

The article “Cesar Chavez Saved My Life,” written by Daniel “Nane” Alejandrez reflects on Mr. Alejandraz’s past, covering some very unfortunate events, but with a purpose of pulling emotion from the reader. While reading some parts of the article, I had to reread it over a few times to comprehend the point that the author was trying to make. The most important thing about knowing his past is that it is significantly different, and much more positive in the future because of one person, Cesar Chavez.

The farm workers’ rights issues were also a major matter that the Mexican-American Civil Rights Movement dealt with along with the other issues. Mexican-American migrant farm workers had to endure the harsh working conditions while traveling from farm to farm in the United States in search for work. While working, the farm workers tended to be exploited by farm owners while also receiving low wages that kept them below the poverty level (Ramirez). Due to certain

Cesar Chavez was an American civil rights activists. He was born on March 31, 1927, in Yuma, Arizona. Cesar Chavez was the son of Juana Estrada and Librado Chavez. He was named after his grandfather.He lived in a Mexican-American family which had six children. Cesar Chavez lived in the same small house that he was born in. Chavez lost his land during the Great Depression. It was taken away because Chavez’s father made an agreement that was soon broken. His father tried to buy the house but he couldn’t because he wasn’t able to pay the loan. Their house was soon sold to the original owner. Cesar Chavez and his family then had to move to California to become migrant farm workers. The Chavez family had to work really hard. They did not live in the same place for so long. They would pick peas and lettuce in the winter. In the spring, they had to picks cherries and beans. For Summer, they picked corn and grapes. Lastly, for Fall, they would pick cotton. Chavez went to 30 different schools in California because his family kept moving from place to place to find work. In 1942, Chavez dropped out of seventh grade. It would have been his last year but he didn’t want his mother to work in the fields. Chavez soon became full-time migrant farm worker. At the time, farm workers weren’t paid enough and lived horrible conditions. Chavez and his older sister Rita helped farm workers and neighbors when they were sick. They would drive those who couldn’t drive to the hospital to see a