In countless circumstances, especially in the work force, there are oppressors and there are those who are oppressed against. If one chooses to permit the act of being demoted upon then they will continue to be underestimated and continue to be mistreated. For those who are petrified of speaking out regarding unjust situations they endure, there are people that are willing to promote and try to stop the unjust ways people face when working. Generally in the society we live in today, men do not think women are in any way superior or could make a difference; whether that be in politics or the type of profession that women chooses to practice. Certain people cannot comprehend or step out of this negative critical view point they have towards women because of what they believe is correct and because they picture women as useless objects that should not be taken seriously. You do not hear about many women activists, but there is an abundant amount that actually stepped fourth to alter their community for the ones they care about. Yet Dolores Huerta is a Hispanic female who strived for improving the rules in regards to the way people treat their employers. There was an abundant amount of Mexican-Americans that were being mistreated and were expected to work long periods of hours in the heat, which were farm laborers; all that pain and struggle to receive barely enough to support your family off of. She knew it would take various extents of struggle and sacrifice to reach the goal of altering the union workforce regulations. Dolores Huerta, alongside Cesar Chavez pursued this goal non-violently in order to better the employers because she knew it not only affected them but their families as well. While Dolores Huerta is known as a Hispa... ... middle of paper ... ...tural unions. Dolores Huerta’s energy, organizing, and speaking abilities only advanced the cause of the union. Bibliography Novas, Himilce. "Dolores Huerta." The Hispanic 100: A Ranking of the Latino Men and Women Who Have Most Influenced American Thought and Culture. New York: Carol Pub. Group, 1995. 159-63. Print. "Dolores Huerta: Si Se Puede / Women's Leadership in America History." Dolores Huerta: Si Se Puede / Women's Leadership in America History. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. Doak, Robin S. Dolores Huerta: Labor Leader and Civil Rights Activist. Minneapolis, MN: Compass Point, 2008. Print. García, Mario T. A Dolores Huerta Reader. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico, 2008. Print. Ruíz, Vicki, and Sánchez Korrol Virginia E. "Huerta, Dolores." Latinas in the United States: A Historical Encyclopedia. Bloomington: Indiana UP, 2006. 332-33. Print.
In this installment of Harvest of Empire, we reach the third and final chapter named La Cosecha which shows the impact of Latinos in politics. Though, the two previous sections were interesting due to learning history and the history of Gonzalez himself, in this section we learn of the triumphs and downfalls of communities that were aren’t made aware of in modern textbooks or in classrooms. In Chapter 10, we are knowledgeable that the Latino vote has not only increased by sky-rocketed from the years 1976 to 2008. The revolution has been in the works since post World War II although it’s not commonly known as other legacies throughout the United States. As the years later progressed, the United States saw the rise of major radical groups such
3. Dolores Huerta was the main negotiator during the Delano grape strike. In 1965 Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez were approached by Filipino members of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee ("AWOC"). AWOC wanted higher wages from the Delano are grape growers. AWOC wanted to negotiate new contracts with their employers but they needed the help of Huerta and Chavez. The NFWA was still new and growing although Huerta thought that NFWA was not ready to attack corporate America she could not refuse to help AWOC. The two unions formed into one union called United Farm Workers union. Under this the union Dolores began the battle with the Delano grape growers. Dolores organized over 5,000 workers to walk off their job and to strike until they could reach an agreement with their employers.
“…by attacking the gay and lesbian transgender movement, by attacking feminists and the right to abortion, the right to choose, by attacking immigrants…” Huerta explains that these “cultural wars” distract the general public from issues such as the wars in the Middle East and an economic recession, which happened around the same time she delivered her speech.
The La Raza Unida Party began in the 1960’s as a social movement in the small South Texas town of Crystal City. Although Mexican Americans made up the majority of the population at 85% they had very little clout within the political landscape, which was dominated by Anglos. The Mexican Americans experienced no political representation and many were denied the right to vote because they didn’t speak or read English and many could not afford the poll taxes. The discrimination experienced by the Mexican Americans in this small town was comparable to the discrimination of African Americans in the Deep South, yet the brave Mexican’s in Crystal City, Texas chose to band together to generate change, awareness, and hope in creating new perspectives with respect to politics.
When Mexicans and Puerto Ricans moved to Chicago in the late 1900s, they encountered many issues without any help. Cases of domestic violence and lack of education and jobs emerged in the Latino community. Latino immigrants populated the Pilsen neighborhood and didn't have many services or resources available for them when they needed assistance. After no signs of improvement were apparent, 15 women stood up and decided to make a change of their own. Mujeres Latinas En Accion formed to help Latina women and their families by providing services, fighting for the better of Latinas and giving help to those who need it.
Martínez, Elizabeth Sutherland. 1998. De Colores Means all of us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century. U.S.: South End Press.
Gonzalez, Juan. Harvest of Empire a History of Latinos in America. New York: Penguin Putnam Inc, 2000.
Nevertheless, Cisneros’s experience with two cultures has given her a chance to see how Latino women are treated and perceived. Therefore, she uses her writing to give women a voice and to speak out against the unfairness. As a result, Cisneros’ story “Woman Hollering Creek” demonstrates a distinction between the life women dream of and the life they often have in reality.
One can only contemplate why US historians have failed to acknowledge Hispanic contributions to the country. What is certain is that this neglect must be changed. Hispanic Americans, especially the youth, are deserve to learn about these significant contributions to the United states. This knowledge could increase their self-esteem and cultural pride.
Mexican farm workers were demanding higher wages. Mexican women played key roles in the strike. Weber writes, “from the beginning of the strike women of all ages--older women,with long hair who wore the rebozos of rural Mexico, younger women who had adopted flapper styles, and young girls barley in their teens--went on the picket lines.”(Weber, 96). Their jobs were to stop the strike breakers. They would do things such as taunt them, and in some situations it would become very violent. The strike would end, but the stories of what these women did still
Fernandez, Lilia. "Introduction to U.S. Latino/Latina History." History 324. The Ohio State University. Jennings Hall 0040, Columbus, OH, USA. Address.
Some historical figures have lived and died without their efforts and wishes for a better future for the Mexican-American community recognized. Fortunately, this was not the case for Jo Cox, who advocates for the Mexican-American community to this day. With her headstrong attitude and a tendency to stand her ground, Josefina Rodriguez Marques Cox is seen as a highly respected individual in the Hispanic community from the 20th century not only in San Antonio but across the United States.
Kanellos, Nicolás, Felix M- Padilla, and Claudio Esteva Fabregat, eds. Handbook of Hispanic Cultures in the United States: Sociology. Houston: Arte Publico Press, 1994. Print.
Dolores dedicated most of her life as an activist, she was often judged of her place in the
I learned from the documentary that Dolores Huerta is among the most important, yet lease known, human rights activists in American history. She was an equal partner in co-founding the first farm workers unions with Cesar Chaves. Most of her contribution to the movement has gone largely unrecognized. She was fully committed to tirelessly fighting for racial and labor justice, becoming one of the most defiant feminists then and now.