April 1, 1970 marked the first nation's first table grape agreement between the United Farm Workers Organization , David Freeman & Co. and the Wonder Palms ranch. It provided a 6% increase, picking bonuses, provisions for health insurance and pesticide regulations. Prior to this date the horrors experienced by migrant farm workers were ignored by the general public. They were shuffled from camp to camp, given poor or no shelter. There were no running water facilities or waste areas. Promised wages were never paid and little food made available. The children attended school sporadically and for short amounts of time. Often teachers paid little attention to them. Their migratory pattern of living made it easy for them to be ignored and forgotten.
Cesar Chavez established and directed the National Farm Workers Association in 1962. His dedication to the Mexican-American migrant workers was a life long commitment. He began by organizing classes in English and educating his colleagues on the politics of farmers and migrant workers. He understood that they were intimidated by their lack of proficiency with the English language and political savvy. These classes assisted non-citizens in attaining confidence in the English language to apply for citizenship. Cezar's understanding and sensitivity to the needs of his community made him a natural leader and catalyst for change. The people around him understood this. Farmers did not want him near their workers, but workers wanted and sought his advice. He was a man not afraid to speak and he understood the basic ingredient for long term change, solidarity of the workers and economic independence.
Migrant workers who joined the Association were afforded the opportunities that most Americans of the time took for granted, stores that sold affordable products, access to lawyers and money lending. Most important they were now part of political organization that encouraged voter registration and lobbying. Key to their evolution was the recognition of the power of numbers. Alone they were not successful in affecting change, but together they were.
Young children can comprehend the concept of change through the use of age appropriate literature. Students will read, discuss and compare
Amazing Grace
and
Signs of Protest.
These discussions will be their introduction to the power of the individual and the power of the community.
Amazing Grace:
Grace wishes desperately to win the role of Peter Pan in the class play. Her classmates point out two specific reasons why she is unable to apply for the role. First she is a girl and girls can't be Peter Pan. Second she is black and who ever heard of a black Peter Pan? Grace returns home and relays all this information to her family. They promptly point out that the choice is no ones but hers. Grace decides to try out for the part and is chosen by her peers to play Peter Pan. The power of her personal convictions led her to attain her goal.
Signs of Protest:
When the town has money problems, Edward, the mayor's nephew, helps find a way for people to work together to meet the needs of Parkside Elementary School and the Senior Citizen's Center. Residents of Parkside recognize that the changes they effected were the direct result of their ability to organize and work as a community.
Once the students have had an opportunity to discuss each book thoroughly, they will chart typical problems they encounter in life. Students will generate a list of individuals that can support them in problem solving. From this list identify the types of problems that the students can solve themselves and those for which a larger school community is needed. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of solving problems yourself and with the help of a large group. These charts should be posted in the general meeting area so they can be referenced and/or changed quickly. Photographs of individual and groups can be used to illustrate who might solve the problems.
The class is now ready to meet Cesar Chevez through storytelling. When you enter the room in period dress students will be amazed and amused. This is the magic of storytelling. You will notice a repetitive phase has been used in his story: Yo puedo hacer un cambio con mis amigos. The phrase is to be chanted by the students each time 'Cesar" clinches his fists. This will draw them into the story and focus their attention. Once 'Cesar' is finished speaking, hang his costume in at prominent spot in your meeting area. Explain to your students that they can wear the costume of 'Cesar' if they wish to solve problems as he did, problems that needed the community. Review the list that was generated earlier and see if anyone can identify problems that may need the voice of Cesar Chavez. Students will need a way to sign up to be Cesar and solve a problem. In our classroom they write their name on the daily agenda and are acknowledged at the next meeting.
Yo Puedo Hacer un Cambio Con Mis Amigos
(I can make a change with my friends)
a storytelling by
Mary Stewart Bargar
I came to the United States from Mexico when I was five years old. My family settled on land in Arizona. They cut down cactus, plowed, and watered the sandy soil. We grew melons, peppers, corn and beams. We worked together as a family!
No matter how the work. In my heart I knew....
YO PUEDO HACER UN CAMBIO CON MIS AMIGOS.
When I was ten years old the state of Arizona told all the farmers that we had to pay taxes. If we could not pay their taxes they would have to give their land to the state and leave. We moved to California. They needed farmers to pick the fields. We thought we were very lucky. In my heart I knew....
YO PUEDO HACER UN CAMBIO CON MIS AMIGOS.
When we arrived we were not so happy. Our family lived in one hot room. It had no water or bathrooms. We worked from dawn until dusk and never made enough money to buy clothes or shoes for all eight of us. We just could buy enough food to survive. When I was old enough to live on my own I left my family and worked in the vineyards. I lived in barracks with other men and had regular meals, but I did not forget how my family struggled and stayed together. In my heart I knew....
YO PUEDO HACER UN CAMBIO CON MIS AMIGOS.
I also never forgot all the families living without enough food, clothes or education, while the farm owners lived a rich life. I began to talk to other workers. We banned together and asked the farm owners for better wages and homes. In my heart
I knew....
YO PUEDO HACER UN CAMBIO CON MIS AMIGOS.
At first they ignored us. As times went on our numbers grew and we had a plan. We would travel to cities all over the United States and tell people how the workers were treated and that they should boycott grapes. And we did it! Families all over the United States were mad when they heard how we lived and how little we were paid. They boycotted grapes. The owner of the vineyards met with us. For the first time farm workers had a voice in the work force! My friends and I formed the National Farm Workers Association. In my heart I knew...
YO PUEDO HACER UN CAMBIO CON MIS AMIGOS.
