Yesterday was Labor Day. I am often reminded of the days of migrant farm workers struggling for their families and their rights in the 60's. Living in upstate NY I see issues related to migrant labor and illegal and legal immigration almost everyday. Vineyards and orchards are cared for and picked by today's farm workers. The issues are a little different. In the 60's no one was talking about or much cared about where these workers came from. They came and went across our borders. The issue then was pure money. These folks could be paid less then others and could be exploited in other ways because they were poor, away from home and unprotected.
Today hard working migrants are a bit more protected and are paid minimally, service worker wages. Every once in awhile you hear arguments about how they are taking jobs from Americans. But when investigated, few others will take these jobs. Farmers cry out for laborers and no one comes.
Cesar Chavez was another non violent hero from that time. He understood and utilized the symbolism and effectiveness of non violent protest. He utilized fasting and economic boycotts. He knew the exploitation. He knew the work. He knew the industry. He was influenced by Dorothy Day and he impacted the politics of the time. He fought hard and labored hard but the struggle obviously continues. - JW
Today hard working migrants are a bit more protected and are paid minimally, service worker wages. Every once in awhile you hear arguments about how they are taking jobs from Americans. But when investigated, few others will take these jobs. Farmers cry out for laborers and no one comes.
Cesar Chavez was another non violent hero from that time. He understood and utilized the symbolism and effectiveness of non violent protest. He utilized fasting and economic boycotts. He knew the exploitation. He knew the work. He knew the industry. He was influenced by Dorothy Day and he impacted the politics of the time. He fought hard and labored hard but the struggle obviously continues. - JW
César Chávez, 1927-1993, was an American farm worker of Mexican descent and the embodiment of a Christian laborer who coupled his leadership, organizing skills and his spirituality to non-violently promote the dignity and rights of workers. This year marks the 50th anniversary of this labor and civil rights leader having founded with Dolores Huerta (Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient, 2012) the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers. - The Faith and Politics Institute
United Farm Workers Prayer
Written by Cesar Chavez
Show me the suffering of the most miserable, so I may know my people's plight. Free me to pray for others, for you are present in every person. Help me to take responsibility for my own life, so that I can be free at last. Grant me courage to serve others, for in service there is true life. Give me honesty and patience, so that I can work with other workers. Bring forth song and celebration, so that the Spirit will be alive among us. Let the Spirit flourish and grow, so that we will never tire of the struggle. Let us remember those who have died for justice, for they have given us life. Help us love even those who hate us, so we can change the world. Amen.
During a county leadership course I asked a prominent vineyard owner about the workers who labored in their fields. Knowing their migrant status, I asked if they were legally working in this country and were being paid a fair wage for their toil in the vineyards. The owner side-stepped the question to say that the workers were part of a worker pool supplied from a company 'north of here' and that they had no information regarding their status. As for the pay ... no comment.
ReplyDeleteIn another local industry, dairy farming, I noticed the presence of migrant workers late one night at WalMart. Suddenly quite a group of Spanish-speaking men arrived to shop. They were 'employees' of a local mega-farm whose only opportunity (or perhaps safe time) to shop was in the wee hours of the morning. They are the invisible work force all around us.
I've seen both responsible and irresponsible hiring of migrants in this area and you're right, this is the invisible work force in many cases. It's also sad to see the legal workers harassed by Border Patrol when their only suspicious activity is working openly in fields and vineyards.
Delete