Chicano The Struggle In The Fields Analysis

After viewing the clip, “Chicano! The Struggle in the Fields,” I found some interesting details that surprised me throughout the movie. One aspect that I found intriguing was the wages farm workers earned on average, being two dollars a day and two-thousand five-hundred dollars annually. As well as wages earned, I found grower’s beliefs interesting because they believed Mexican Americans chose the life they were living in when in fact, they were trapped in a poverty cycle trying to survive every single day. I believe an informative detail that the clip describes is not all grape growers were harsh people. Some growers were sympathetic for farm workers, but they couldn’t give what they couldn’t afford. Lastly, a feature from the clip that I

found most interesting and important to know was that the strike lasted almost five years before they came to an agreement to give farm workers full rights.
The development of the farm worker’s movement was guided through a process of events. To begin with, the Mexican American workers faced difficult issues because they were afraid to fight back against the inequities for fears of deportation and dismissal in their jobs.

On the other hand, the farm worker’s movement started with disagreements among workers on the wages earned, harsh treatments and the conditions they worked in. As they grew tired of their situation, the workers attended meetings organized by the National Farm Workers Association(NFWA) to strike against the unjust labor conditions they faced. Primary leaders of the walkout, César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, instructed labor organizers to recruit more members, encouraging field workers, sometimes embarrassing them, to signing into the union. Thus, it created a strong unified stand and because they needed as much aid as they could get to fight against growers with power and money. Mexican Americans began to outcry in the fields, holding up signs to fight against their problems and hopefully negotiate with growers to solving their problems. As they protested, growers ignored their requests and brought more people in busloads from Mexico to replace the workers. Since Mexican American protesters were prohibited to enter the fields hence, they objected in front of markets where grapes were sold. They commenced to boycott grapes in public to aware people of their struggles in the fields by

boycotting, marching, and picketing in the streets. Two of thirty growers were targeted for boycotts- Schenley Ranch and the Digiorgio Corporation which produced Tree Sweets and S&W products. In response to the boycott, the Senate Migratory Subcommittee investigated the case and questioned the local sheriff of Delano why striking workers were being arrested. Robert Kennedy proved the police officers were unjustly arresting and charging Mexican Americans for the beliefs that they were going to violate the law however, they hadn’t yet and the police department were the only one’s violating the law. Incidentally, César Chávez believed they needed more promotion on the matter so he decided to do a pilgrimage. Starting in Delano, he planned to recruit men, women, and children to march three hundred miles to the state capital of Sacramento in the hope of getting national attention on the farm worker’s cause. Not only did the march expose the cause but it also crossed hostile territories in the San Joaquin Valley, creating a strong foundation to face their fears. Then, there was surprising news that the Schenley corporation was ready to negotiate with the farm workers, resulting in a victory. Anyhow, 10,000 marchers arrived in Sacramento, which symbolized the long road Mexican Americans had traveled throughout history and the journey that still is to come. As the topic became more noticed, Chicanos had achieved support from mayors and religious leaders from across the country to assist their cause. Even more, Americans and the AFL-CIO joined in their aid for the boycott, spreading to Europe, England, Sweden, and France, where dock workers refused to unload California grapes. The farm worker’s movement was not only fighting the unfair wages and labor conditions they experienced, it had motivated the Chicano culture to obtain civil rights. Despite the accomplishments they had achieved, some Chicanos began to lose patience on using nonviolence acts, for the strike had lasted two and a half years with no solution. Due to Mexican Americans opinions on using violence, César Chávez worried this would disorganize the union so he decided to fast. Many people couldn’t understand why he was fasting, some were angry, although his fast had inspired Chicanos to stay together as a union. Subsequently after four years, the boycott was now going into effect. Pressure had increased on supermarkets and retail stores to reject grape products, accordingly, places all over the had stopped selling grapes. As a result, the NFWA signed a contract with Lionel Steinberg and began selling grapes products like never before. Though, growers who hadn’t signed contracts with the union had their products thrown away, but it led many to do so afterwards hence, bringing peace and justice to the farm workers.
That being the case, the farm worker’s movement and Chicano movement were both alike in some efforts and different in others. The farm worker’s movement was more of a particular goal focused on labor issues including wages and working conditions. On the other hand, Chicano movement was concerned on the culture as a whole and set to obtain education, political power, and territories. The farm worker’s movement spread their cause through deeds such as boycotts, picketing, a pilgrimage, and even fasting, using plays and skits to express the struggles they faced on a daily basis. Whereas, the Chicano movement was demonstrated in Chicano Art and was important because it showed dreams, aspirations, and the positive as well as negative things. The Chicano movement involved arts for the simple fact that they had no access to broadcast media, television, radio, and movies. Though, they displayed their matters in posters, murals, paintings, banners, etc. to represent the indigenous roots, connection to the land, and love for their families, home, and community. To conclude, they both fought for equality and racism, however, the Farm Workers Union had inspired Chicanos to gain full civil rights.