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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

Women in the Movement

Introduction:

Many female farm workers were silenced at home and in the workplace which inspired Chicana activists such as Maria Moreno, Monica Ramirez, and Jessie de la Cruz to fight for the rights of women and change the operational structure of the U.S. agricultural system. These three feminists were instrumental in the women's movement because they established the first organizations and unions that fought for the rights of farm workers especially women who experienced gender discrimination and sexual assault in the workplace. They organized strikes and protests and gained roles in government positions to change policies and laws that were oppressing migrant/farm workers in the U.S. They helped spread radical ideas to uplift women and provide more resources and opportunities for Chicano communities. The rest of this page highlights the backgrounds, goals, and impacts of Moreno, Ramirez, and de la Cruz on the farm workers' movement.

Maria Moreno:

Maria Moreno was born in 1920 in Texas to farm workers who endured harsh working and living conditions in the U.S.In 1958, a huge flood in Texas destroyed many crops and left many families starving. Moreno's family nearly starved due to being denied food assistance by the federal government. This incident sparked Moreno's activism and she became an organizer for the AWOC (Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee). She was outspoken during a time when rarely any women or even men spoke up about farmers' rights, began her activism mission before Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chaves. Moreno organized protests and tried to change political policies to provide more resources to migrants and their families. Unfortunately, she was removed from her position in the AWOC for outspokenness because many of the people in the union held more conservative views while hers were extremely radical. However, she created significant changes in the conditions of farm workers' and helped spread resources for support.

Monica Ramirez:

Monica Ramirez was born in Ohio in 1979 and was the daughter of migrant workers. She organized several projects in the U.S. combatting sexual harassment and other forms of gender discrimination against female farmworkers. Ramirez was the first female Latinx activist to help change polices and create projects that raised awareness about sexual violence in the workplace. She founded an award-winning Bandana Project that discusses sexual violence through art and inspired others to join the movement.

In addition, she served as a deputy director of Centro de los Derechos del Migrante which was the first transnational migrant workers’ rights organization in Mexico. This organization helped build a community for support and address adversity faced by migrant workers. She also found Justice for Migrant Women which which gave a voice to female farm and migrant workers who were victims of sexual assault in the workplace. She empowered women to work together to fight patriarchal standards and create a safe space for women to discuss their issues in the workplace. As an attorney, she fought against injustices against women and migrant workers which helped change lives and inspire change in the legal system in the U.S.

Jessie de la Cruz:

Jessie Lopez de la Cruz was born in 1919 in California and she began farm work at five years of age. Since the beginning of her life, she lived in poverty and endured harsh working and living conditions. Lopez joined the United States farm workers union to help her people rise above poverty and discrimination. Lopez's purpose was to stop land monopolies from exploiting her people through unions and creating new policies. She supported women and men working together in the fields and receiving equal treatment. She organized and participated in many strikes and protests to raise awareness to the gender issues and discrimination all migrant and farm workers endured.

Lopez was driven to change the way her people were viewed through spreading information and trying to reduce stereotypes that proliferate discrimination. She knew that many Americans viewed her people as criminals and incompetent which is why businesses and corporations manipulated and exploited migrants. She became a delegate for the U.S. national convention which shows she had influence on the selection of political leaders which helped change the policies. Working in the government allowed her to make changes and provide resources for farm workers on a national level.

Conclusion:

Maria Moreno helped create community programs that improved the conditions of farm workers and families when she joined the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee. She helped provide resources such as food assistance for families that were struggling to feed themselves. Monica Ramirez was a deputy director that helped transnational migrants gain access to resources and she helped fight for women's right by being the founder of Justice for migrant women. She helped provide political, social, and community support to migrant workers. Jessie Lopez de la Cruz joined the United States farm workers union and organized many protests and strikes to inspire other Chicanx people to join unions and community organizations. These women were instrumental in reducing discrimination against Chicanx farm workers especially women. They attempted to change the way Chicanx people were perceived and treated by the public.

Citations:
Alvarez, Beatrice. "Women of the Farm Workers' Movement." PBS, 24 March 2023. https://www.pbs.org/articles/women-of-the-farmworkers-movement/.

Nunez, Vivian. "Monica Ramirez Talks The Bandana Project, Her Latinidad, And Her Career In Farmworkers Advocacy." Forbes, 25 April 2019.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/viviannunez/2019/04/25/monica-ramirez-talks-the-bandana-project-her-latinidad-and-her-career-in-farmworkers-advocacy/.

Quinell, Kenneth. "Women's History Month Profiles: Jessie Lopez de la Cruz." AFL-CIO, 25 March 2020. https://aflcio.org/2020/3/25/womens-history-month-profiles-jessie-lopez-de-la-cruz.

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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
Contents of this path:
2. Leaders of the Delano Strike
3. Campesinos of the South Central Farm In this page, the events leading to the creation and destruction of the South Central Farm, “The Garden,” will be analyzed. Narratives from “The Garden: Fighting for an LA Urban Garden,” will be used to highlight its significance in fostering community spirit and food security among urban farmers. Through these events, the Garden exposed racial biases and inherent challenges Campesinos endured when challenging landlords during the Chicano Farm Worker Movement.

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