UFW Impact on MOdern Day Imperial ValleY
UFW Impact on MOdern Day Imperial ValleY
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The agriculture business to this day is a staple of the Imperial Valley and this industry employs so many people in the county. In my town of Holtville, there is a whole parade and festival that celebrates the cultivation of carrots, called the carrot festival. This is something that the whole town and many people across the county come to celebrate. However, I feel like there is very little recognition of the struggles of farmworkers from the past and present. Farm workers to this day work one of the hardest jobs in the Imperial Valley as they work in the fields in such hot climate and work very long hours. I did not learn about the UFW in school or from my community, which I feel is wrong as the history of the UFW and Imperial Valley farmworkers should be taught. As farmworkers are the ones that built the Imperial Valley into what it is now.
Poster that is outside popular grocery store in Holtville. Translation: "Your boss has to provide you with water, shade and breaks... it is the law".
Legacy of the UFW
The UFW legacy is very much seen in the agriculture industry in the Imperial Valley. As farmworkers rights are now respected as they have a limit of how many hours they can work, are paid minimum wage or more, have the right to breaks, have benefits, have insurance, and they have the right to unionize. They are finally able to have a voice, and are not punished for standing up for themselves. The UFW changed labor laws forever . This poster that is shown to the left would not be accept in the 1960s and 1970s by all people, as people actually believed that farm workers did not deserve to have rights as workers. Even though farm work is still a very difficult job in modern times, the UFW is to thank for changes in the industry as farmworkers' rights are now protected and have to be respected.
UFW Impact on My Family
My family is very grateful of the recognition that my great-grandmother has gotten for her work in the UFW, from being shown in documentaries and movies and more. The UFW allowed them to have pride in their work and show that they are needed in this country. My family's story have been told orally to me and I have learned so much about my community's history from just sitting down and talking to them. It was very amazing experience learning about this time in their lives, while also difficult hearing what they had to go through. My family feels very thankful that the UFW was able to fight for them. This story is very important for me and my family, and I feel very grateful I was able to tell it.
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