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US Latinx Activism and Protests: From the Farm to the (Legislative) Table Art produced during the Chicanx Movement Abstract: In the midst of change, The Chicanx Movement was a monumental time for Mexican Americans in the United States during the late 1960s. The movement addressed the social, economic, and political inequalities experienced by Mexican Americans across the nation. Aimed to celebrate and acknowledge cultural pride and identity, the movement also sought to reclaim and celebrate Mexican and Mexican American history, art, and culture. The Chicanx Movement played a significant role in shaping the Latino identity and influencing subsequent social justice movements, and the artwork produced during this time allowed for many to voice their opinions on the political and social climate of the U.S during the time. LA Demonstrations During the Chicano Movement Abstract: The Chicano Movement was a movement that involved Mexican-Americans all over the United States and was a crucial component to establishing civil rights for Latinos. While Chicanos living in the United States were at the focal point of discrimination in society, they figured that it was best to come together and establish a sense of familiarity in order to combat these racial remarks and disadvantages. To spark attention to their cause and movement, many Chicanos participated in numerous demonstrations and while many were peaceful, many considered them as radical. By Steve, Lexi, and Ricardo Bracero Program In this project we will be analyzing a number of facets of the Bracero Program with a specific focus on the causes, on both sides of the border, which culminated in the agreement. Consequently, we will explore the historical context of the US and Mexico of the first half of the twentieth century, including the impact of the Mexican Revolution as well as the dire situation brought about by the second world war. By utilizing this basis we will then analyze the “migration aspect” entailed by the program, travel from Mexico to the US and various territories. Not only as an in depth look at the agreement, but also as a necessary foundation. One which will permit the Bracero Program to be positioned in history, while simultaneously deepening the exposition and understanding of a largely forgotten case of large-scale abuse and exploitation. We anticipate this will form the backbone of the examination of bracero experiences: first-hand accounts and testimonials.. By Fernando, Joy and Lizeth Guatemalan Genocide & Its Dark Truth This page will focus on the Guatemalan genocide, a period of brutal violence that brought tremendous adversity to those indigenous communities residing in the rural areas of Guatemala. It will provide details regarding the atrocities that the Mayan people experienced, the trauma that was left behind, and the hardships that they continue to face today. Furthermore, it will demonstrate how this heinous period of history fostered activism and social movements in Guatemala. By Paola Chavarria and & Aurora Nieves Chicano Farm Worker Movement In this project, we will be discussing about the Chicano Farm Worker Movement and how it brought change to not only farm workers but to society as a whole. We will be focused on the working conditions of farm workers prior and after the movement, notable or influential leaders, and the communities that were fueling the movement. By examining their struggles, successes, and legacy, we wanted to provide a better understanding of the process needed to advocate and bring forth social change for a marginalized group of people. Last, we wanted to remove stereotypes and other misconceptions about the movement in creating a more equitable society. Por: Justin Bui, Kristi Kang, Jenniffer Young Las "Brujas" Feministas: Magazines, Art, and Television This project intends to provide a comprehensive analysis of women's representation in different mediums such as art, television, and fanzines. In this way, the goal is to understand the gender stereotypes that women have had to overcome from a feminist perspective. Through this discussion, the hope is to amplify women's voices to promote inclusive and equitable representation in society. By Claudia Mejia, Janet Landa, Diana Andrade Walkouts and Protests in Los Angeles On our page, we will discuss the walkouts and protests that took place within schools and communities across Los Angeles. The school protests happened because Latino students wanted to see a change in the education system. Some of the changes Latino students wanted to see implemented were hiring more Chicano professors and administrators, having more Chicano Studies classes in higher education, and overall being treated better without discrimination or judgment. In the 1960s, high school students faced racism and discrimination, which included a lack of education and insufficient school buildings in comparison to those of white students in the area. Walkouts famously took place at Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, where there was a large population of Latino students. In 1993, college students also faced a lack of Chicano education when budget cuts put the Chicano classes at UCLA at risk of being shut down. This led to a hunger strike, where UCLA students protested and ultimately helped to establish the UCLA César E. Chávez Department of Chicana/o Studies. In the years leading up to 1965, Latino and Black communities also protested because they wanted to see a change in the way they were treated. The Black community finally had enough in 1965 and the Watts Riots happened, which in the end led to positive changes in their community. By Sydney Schwinger, Vanessa Harris, Jazmin Chavez

Cesar Chavez Mural (2022)

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Leaders of the Delano Strike Introduction

Many farm workers suffered from the mistreatment and unfair wages. The migrant farmworkers who sought a better life in the United States were greeted with the cold shoulder from the government. They were left on their own and faced terrible wages and unsustainable working conditions. Some people refused to stay silent during the struggle and banded together in order to fight against the oppression.

Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta was a co-founder of the United Farmer Workers Association. She was a prominent leader in the Chicano civil rights movement. She was shaped by discrimination due to her school teacher, prejudiced against the Hispanics, accused her of cheating due to the eloquent way she would write her papers. She would go forward to organize the 1965 Delano Strikes of 5,000 grape workers and was the lead negotiator of the worker's contract. She fought hard for the unemployment and healthcare benefits of the agricultural workers. She led many more boycotts that lead to the formation of a successful union contract by 1970. This soon lead to her forming the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975 and this allowed for farm workers to form unions and bargain for better wages. Her goal was to improve the workers labor representation and did it in such a way that was successful and allowed for others to improve upon their working conditions.

Her role in the farmworkers movement has been overshadowed due to Cesar Chavez, whom she worked with closely and he was her collaborator and co-founder for the Farm Workers of the American union. She coined the term, "Sí se puede" which means "Yes we can" which holds political significance. It was a term that was part of the struggle of the working-class Latinos. It was the United Farm Worker's Union's rally cry during the 1970s. It was meaningful and meant to inspire the workers to stand up against exploitation and to fight for fair wages and medical and pension wages. This was their challenge to create a better society and to allow others to have equal opportunities to succeed in the nation.

Cesar Chavez

He was a first generation American, and he was born on March 31, 1927 near his family's small homestead in Yuma, Arizona. His family lost their farm during the Great Depression when he was only 11 years old. They became migrant workers and he had to work in the fields full-time to help his family with their finances. He was constantly exposed to the injustices of farm work life and thus, sparked his interest to represent those who are also suffering through the unfairness of the labor system.

He started to start his career in community organizing in 1952 after he was recruited and trained by Fred Ross. Fred Ross was a legendary community organizer who was working to form the San Jose chapter of the Community Service Organization. This was one of the more prominent Latino civil rights groups and Cesar spent 10 years with them. He was able to coordinate campaigns against racial and economic discrimination and organized new CSO opportunities across California. Cesar had the dream to organize a union that would protect and serve his fellow farm workers that they share the same struggles, poverty and powerlessness. He recognized that all the farm workers needed to band together to fight for their rights and to be recognized by the government in order to gain their recognition and help.

Cesar Chavez was the labor union activist for the United Farm Workers. He was deeply inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. He advocated strongly for better wages, safer working conditions, and less exposure to pesticides. He challenged the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, which went against their cause. It was a federal law that did not protect farm workers, thus Cesar and his supporters led boycotts against lettuce, table grapes, and wine to promote their message and to protect the farmers and workers against these unjust laws. He dedicated his life to protecting against the injustice of the labor conditions and he led the Delano grape strike of 1965 - 1970. His acts had allowed for 2.5 million farmworkers to benefit from his struggles and allowed for those to pave a path towards a brighter future.

Conclusion

The farm workers today face better opportunities due to the people that had represented them in the past. Organizations such as the UFW is still around today and they continue to mobilize farm workers to advocate for better policies to represent them.

Citations
Dolores Huerta Foundation (2021). https://www.doloreshuerta.org/doloreshuerta/
Women's history (2015). Edited by Debra Michals. https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/dolores-huerta
Cesar Chavez Foundation (2022). https://chavezfoundation.org/about-cesar-chavez/
Garcia, Kristina (2021). https://voiceofoc.org/2021/03/cesar-chavez-day-orange-county-murals-by-emigdio-vasquez-sr-honor-chavez-and-his-activism/