Service and American Democracy: The United Farm Workers Union
Service and American Democracy: The United Farm Workers Union
Angelica M. Burkhart
ASU-Earned Admissions
The United Farm Workers Union
Diversity runs deep in the social construct of American society. This is a nation formed
by various groups of immigrants and is continued to be reformed by a melting pot of newcomers.
With this wondrous melting pot there comes times of clash and injustices on certain groups of
people. Throughout the history of the United states, there have been leaders, individuals,
organizations, and advocates that have stood up for the rights of persecuted and oppressed
groups. This particular moment in history can be seen through the eyes of Mexican American
migrant workers and the formation of the United Farm Workers union and the advocacy work
done by Cesar Chavez. By mobilizing people through their identity, social engagement and the
use of American democracy, the United Farm Workers union was able to create reform that the
nation's migrants needed the most.
When Cesar Chavez set out to help the Mexican migrant workers, they were the group he
had intended to help. There has been a long standing history in America of oppression and
mistreatment of Mexican and Mexican-Americans. Chavez set out to create a better system for
these people, but as this movement gained more traction Chavez saw an opportunity to not only
help his people but other minority groups as well. With the inclusion of the Filipino union,
Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, the United Farm Worker labor union was formed
(Cruz, 2016). Though coming from different cultural and national backgrounds, the Mexican and
Filipino peoples in America felt the same oppression. This shared narrative is what brought them
together to fight the injustices that they both felt (Cruz, 2016). A coming together for these two
The United Farm Workers Union
groups meant more people, more manpower to show to the farmer and government that
something needed to be done to help the plight of these migrants.
The UFW union was formed to help those who gave the organization its name, the farm
workers. While many who became a part of this organization were the migrant workers, others
joined as advocates for the cause. As members of the UFW, anyone could be a part of the united
front against oppression of these groups of workers. This shared cause helped the union gain
support of other groups such at the Black Panthers and the Agricultural Workers Organizing
Committee. As previously mentioned, these groups had many different qualities, such as the
Black Panthers (Garcia,1994). They were a militant group aimed at ending the racial divide for
African Americans (Araiza, 2009). Though this was the drive for the Black Panthers, in the
simplest form of ending oppression and division in the nation for a minority group they shared in
this partnership with the UFW (Garcia, 1994).
Bringing an end to the unjust working conditions would not be an easy feat for the UFW.
Lacking in funding and aid, the group did what they could to raise their voices for the cause.
When Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta began to organize for the cause, they started with
protests. Protest became an integral part of the UFW movement. Being inspired by other
non-violent forms of protests, strikes seemed like the best decision for them. These strikes and
protests grew larger in numbers and soon the UFW had enough people to begin a march. The
march to Sacramento would begin on March 17, 1966 and would gain more than 10,000 people
in support by the time they arrived in the capital of California (Beiber, et al.). These among other
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ways such as symbolism, is what helped bring engagement for the UFW. Giving people involved
in the cause an activity of solidarity and camaraderie.
The use of symbolism was a key part in mobilization for the UFW. Chavez was an
“average” person and the migrant workers looked up to this. Seeing someone that looked like,
dressed like, and spoke like them taking on the farmers and government showed the migrants
that they too could fight for their rights. Another way that UFW used symbolism was through
their religion (Beiber, et al.). Many of the migrant farmers came from Catholic backgrounds and
this religion is a large part of the Latin identity. Chavez used this in helping gain support for the
march to the capital. The march was to be a pious pilgrimage. This connected to people on a
spiritual level and helped gain support at each town the UFW stopped at.
The Mexican-American migrant workers joined the UFW because they knew this was a
cause they needed to fight for. They fought for this cause not just because it was right, but
because it brought their plight to the eyes of all Americans. The process by which the UFW was
formed was based on a system of American democracy. The first amendment right to protest was
clear and evident in the United Farm Workers organization. This idea of service in regards to
bringing attention to a cause is key to the American ideals. At any level or by any individual in
the American society can put forth the effort and make a change for a better future. This concept
is one that Caesar Chavez and his fellow UFW members knew and hoped would bring about
change for their lives. Fortunately, for all of their effort the UFW would see the reform they had
fought for.
The United Farm Workers Union
The work of the United farm workers Union and of Caesar Chavez reminded society of
the American Spirit. Reminded that regardless of nationality, race, or class that as a nation they
were American. As Americans, we need to aim to give a just experience for all those who are
here. In Chavez words, “We must never forget that the human element is the most important
thing we have --if we get away from this we are certain to fail" (Garcia, 1994). By using the
American democratic system the United farm workers Union was able to mobilize behind a
sense of identity and use that identity to create change in their community.
The United Farm Workers Union
References
Araiza, L. (2009). "In Common Struggle against a Common Oppression": The United Farm
Workers and the Black Panther Party, 1968-1973. The Journal of African American
History, 94(2), 200-223. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from
http://www.jstor.org/stable/25610076
Beiber, J. (Executive Producer), Delan, D. (Executive Producer) & Fifer, S. J. (Executive
Producer). Latino Americans [Motion picture]. United States: PBS.
Cruz, A. (2016). The union within the union: Filipinos, Mexicans, and the racial integration of
the farm worker movement. Social Movement Studies 15(4), 361-373.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14742837.2016.1149057
García, R. (1994). César Chávez: A Personal and Historical Testimony. Pacific Historical
Review, 63(2), 225-233. doi:10.2307/3640867
