Reading In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck, I could discover a man who was trying to share his idea of fighting together in order to accomplish a common goal. One of the main characters, Jim Nolan, decided to leave the room where he was living to join a Communist Party. In addition Mac accepted Nolan to agitate the pickers and incite them to the strike after pickers’ wages were cut to fifteen cents. Most of the scenes in the book take place in California in a small fictional town called Torgas Valley. Steinbeck shows the struggle that migrant workers suffered to survive with health and dignity after the oppression of the high class. This part of the book made me remember my grandfather who came to the United States many years ago, and he was part of the pickers in Bakersfield, California. He used to talk with my family about the long hours that he spent picking strawberries, and how he strongly believed in the union. As my grandfather said, “If people are not united, there will not be any good result. Also, if you want to accomplish something, you have to establish the group’s identity and show it to all people.”
According to my grandfather, in the past, there was not medical coverage or compensation for work lost due to illness. Also, Steinbeck wrote about this in great detail using the description of the characters and the dialogues between them. For example Steinbeck wrote, “You might think I am a crazy old coot; them other things was planned; nothing come of’em; but I got feelings in my skin”(52). I think that for some Americans it could be very difficult to understand Steinbeck because he clearly is against the Communism, but I believe that this was Steinbeck’s way to show how the farmers were exploited during the Great Depression. Even though prejudice and exploitation existed many years ago, today many farmers are still fighting for their rights.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The United Farm Workers
Some young and old people show how important is to be together in order to fight for their rights. They are also carrying a flag that represent their dreams.
The United Farm Workers is planning to involve young people from college in a project called “Fair Harvest Meals.” After their participation, these youth could share their experiences to 25,000 people through social media networks. Involving young people in this project, they will be exposed to the fact that California has stronger laws protecting farm animals than farm workers. According to the United Farm Workers, “The sharing of food transcends all difference between people.” The involved youth are planning to host the meals, and the farm workers will bring the fruits and vegetables of their labor. Consequently, students will connect the 50-year history of struggle and success of farm workers to thousands using the media. The Fair Harvest Meal Project will take place in Fresno, California, where on September 30, 1962, the first convention of the National Farm Workers Association (UFW) convened with hundreds of delegates assembled in an abandoned movie theater. The group’s distinctive flag, a black eagle symbol on a white circle in a red field, is unveiled.
It is very interesting to know how the National Farm Workers Association is looking for the support of young people. I think that the only way to change the injustice in any aspect of life is fighting together with teenagers. They are our future, and the change is on their hands. Furthermore, young people do not mention farm workers in any discussion that they have about food. For this reason, it is very important that all youth discover that behind eating healthy, there are many people who are exploited- farm workers are exposed to the harmful pesticides and low payments.
The United Farm Workers is planning to involve young people from college in a project called “Fair Harvest Meals.” After their participation, these youth could share their experiences to 25,000 people through social media networks. Involving young people in this project, they will be exposed to the fact that California has stronger laws protecting farm animals than farm workers. According to the United Farm Workers, “The sharing of food transcends all difference between people.” The involved youth are planning to host the meals, and the farm workers will bring the fruits and vegetables of their labor. Consequently, students will connect the 50-year history of struggle and success of farm workers to thousands using the media. The Fair Harvest Meal Project will take place in Fresno, California, where on September 30, 1962, the first convention of the National Farm Workers Association (UFW) convened with hundreds of delegates assembled in an abandoned movie theater. The group’s distinctive flag, a black eagle symbol on a white circle in a red field, is unveiled.
It is very interesting to know how the National Farm Workers Association is looking for the support of young people. I think that the only way to change the injustice in any aspect of life is fighting together with teenagers. They are our future, and the change is on their hands. Furthermore, young people do not mention farm workers in any discussion that they have about food. For this reason, it is very important that all youth discover that behind eating healthy, there are many people who are exploited- farm workers are exposed to the harmful pesticides and low payments.
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