Tag: Hispanic

Mexican Women Factories: Free Trade and Exploitation on the Border

Mexican Women Factories: Free Trade and Exploitation on the Border

by Ella Howard

Reviewed by Thomas Hansen, Ph.D.

Ella Howard studies Mexican women working along the border in “maquilas” or factories, some of the more oppressive ones being referred to sometimes as “sweat shops.”  She conducts a quantitative component in the form of a survey to be completed by women, followed by a qualitative component in the form of one-on-one interviews following up on what is revealed in the surveys.  I focus here on how the book is organized, the kinds of questions Howard asks the women, and some of the topics for students to study.

Howard organizes the book by discussing the history of the border factories and the city of Nogales—which sits in two different countries.  She includes a history of the maquila industry and seeks to discover whether the industry has brought about liberation or exploitation of the women.  She also includes chapters on how she designed her study, what the study revealed, and ways we can think about what she discovered.  She also uses throughout the book the process of comparison-contrast, namely looking both at what is similar and what is different.

Howard poses questions related to both the working and living conditions of the women who are employed in the factories.  She also asks questions related to quality of life, purpose of the work, feelings women develop as a result of their work, demands, schedules, and earnings.  She includes in-depth discussion of the dwellings in which the women find themselves, the kinds of appliances they may have, the floor coverings, the furniture, and the utilities.  Howard reveals some very interesting details indeed about the “colonias” in which the women live.

There is a great deal revealed in this book about Mexican culture, American corporate greed, border communities, poverty, wealth, fairness, and other topics.  The reader will learn so much from looking at the situation, discovering what *NAFTA was supposed to achieve, and digesting the details of how things are for the people directly impacted by all of the new international factories found along the border.  This book is important reading for people who want to consider themselves informed voters, American citizens, and humane persons.

I recommend the book for many readers, but especially for educators dealing with these kinds of topics in their classes: border communities, American business practices, US bills and laws, international trade and business, Mexican culture, gender roles, cultural differences, wealth and poverty, trade agreements, and the both the history and impact of NAFTA.  The book is important as a history textbook, cultural book, and personal reading for teachers.  As educators, it is crucial we include fairness, advocacy, and empathy in our daily work.  It is also good to look at things from more than one perspective.  It is interesting to look at phenomena in their own context sometimes, and also revealing to look at things in a more universal way. 

Cesar Chavez and the National Farm Workers Association

Cesar Chavez and the National Farm Workers Association

Brandon Lopez

Cesar Chavez, a Mexican American, is the president of the National Farm Workers Association, an organization of farm workers fighting for more benefits and equality. Cesar Chavez’s goals for his fellow farm workers were to create a Union, an insurance program for farm workers, higher wages and contracts for farm workers, and equality. Cesar Chavez’s historic strike, the Delano Grape Strike, is one of the many strikes he takes pride in for expressing his unwavering conviction that he is on the right side of history and that the violence and humiliation that the growers are showing towards the workers will only fuel them more with conviction and determination to strike until they receive the benefit they are entitled to because of their hard work. Thousands of supporters helped Cesar Chavez in their fight for unionizing by participating in strikes, boycotting the companies’ products, and much more. This constant fight for equality painted a bad image for the company. The companies were both Schenley Industries and the DiGiorgio Corporation. This nonviolent approach and fight for equality was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who also had peaceful protests. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the many prominent figures throughout Cesar Chavez’s career who supported Cesar Chavez and was able to inspire him to take a peaceful approach in order to achieve his goals for these strikes, which are being able to Unionize insurance programs to better benefits for farm workers.

This research dives into the challenges and struggles Cesar Chavez, and the National Farm Workers Association faced as they tirelessly worked to achieve fundamental rights and improved working conditions for marginalized and exploited farm laborers by shedding light on the strategies used by Cesar Chavez and his National Farm Workers Association in their fight against the obstacles standing in the way of their equality. Cesar Chavez’s legacy as a labor leader and civil rights activist is a testament to how hard he fought in the face of adversity.

Cesar Chavez was influenced by his own experiences in a migrant farm-working family, he then decided to face the injustices prevalent in his community. Working under Fred Ross Jr. Cesar Chavez learned about the rights of Hispanic, specifically Mexican, farmworkers and was empowered by his community and the injustices to fight against discrimination. Cesar Chavez’s journey in building a labor movement, started with grassroots efforts in his community. Challenges such as fear of reprisal and deportation scared and made people reject Cesar Chavez, Cesar Chavez successfully recruited supporters, including religious figures and community organizers. The lack of unity and coordination within the United Farm Workers is also an obstacle the organization had to overcome, as well as the violence and intimidation faced by supporters from anti-union groups. Cesar Chavez’s goals included creating a union, insurance programs, higher wages, and contracts for farmworkers to improve their living conditions. The success of the United Farm Workers is thanks to various strategies, including boycotts, strikes, and protests, which pressured large companies like Di Giorgio to negotiate with Cesar Chavez and the organization. Cesar Chavez’s leadership and organizational skills, played an important role in advancing the cause for farmworker justice.

Through the movement Cesar Chavez was supported by a diverse group of people. It highlights Cesar Chavez’s ability to connect with various groups, such as the Mexican Pentecostal church, religious leaders, college students, and workers from different ethnic backgrounds such as Mexican Americans, Filipinos, and Puerto Ricans. The Mexican Pentecostal community provided moral and financial support, while college students actively participated in protests, strikes, and fundraising efforts. The teamwork among different ethnic groups in the civil rights movement, notably influenced by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., contributed to the movement’s strength. Despite facing hardships and sacrifices, the labor movement achieved its goals, in succeeding in getting contracts with major growing companies and paving the way for the Agricultural Labor Relations Act to govern farm workers’ rights and union activities. Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers faced hardships and challenges in their mission to better the rights and working conditions of farm laborers, facing industry resistance, violent opposition, and internal struggles. Despite the obstacles faced, Cesar Chavez’s strategic approach, marked by nonviolent protests, strikes, and boycotts, garnered crucial attention and support for the movement. The community, including Mexican Americans, Filipinos, Puerto Ricans, college students, and religious leaders, emerged as a pivotal force in achieving the movement’s goals. Cesar Chavez’s dedication, inspired by personal experiences and the struggles of farm workers, led to the success of the United Farm Workers.

This article provides a summary of Cesar Chavez’s activism, the challenges faced by the National Farm Workers Association, and the broader labor movement in the southwest. Some reasons why Cesar Chavez should be taught in school is because it sheds light on the historical context of the labor movement in the southwest, providing students with insights into the challenges faced by marginalized and exploited farm laborers during that time. Cesar Chavez’s connection with the civil rights movement, particularly his inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., offers an opportunity to explore the different social justice movements during the 20th century. Students can also analyze how Cesar Chavez adapted nonviolent protest strategies from the civil rights movement to advocate for the rights of farm workers. Students can learn about the challenges and criticisms faced by Chavez and analyze how he overcame them to achieve the goals of the United Farm Workers. Highlighting the diverse support of the labor movement, showing the unity between different ethnic groups, religious communities, and college students. Students can explore how diverse communities came together to support a common cause and the role of solidarity in achieving social justice goals. By incorporating this article into the classroom, teachers can help provide a diverse perspective about social justice, labor rights, leadership, and the unity of historical movements. It encourages critical thinking, analysis of historical events, and reflection on the ongoing struggles for equality and justice.