Turkey Day is almost upon us, and perhaps it's time to think of those who grow most of our food. No, not the small farmer. The America where most food was grown by small farmers is long past. Rather the farmworker. Sometimes when I say my table grace I include thanking God for the labor of those who grow our food. Without the farmworkers effort we would suffer in this country, and yet most often we forget them. In the 1960's and early 70's the farmworkers were a popular cause, and the organization that represented more of them that any other, the United Farmworkers Association, then headed by Caesar Chavez, was especially popular. They used direct field organizing and community organizing to reach farmworkers and boycotts or informational picket lines to involve the general public in winning contracts and improved conditions. For a while the future for farmworkers looked bright. But now it seems we have forgotten them a...
A blog about life on the economic margins of America and the world. The writer will also share personal experiences,and comment on spiritual, economic, artistic and other matters including books, films and music. This blog is heavily influenced by the Catholic Workers Movement. Please share our posts and follow us by email or subscription.