“Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and the needy.” (Proverbs 31:9)
The United Farm Workers’ Union, under the leadership of Cesar Chavez, has called for a nationwide boycott of head (iceberg) lettuce. It would be hard, if not impossible, to communicate the working and living conditions of the migrant farm workers in this article. It is important nevertheless to express at least a portion of what the Farm Workers face.
“Our people,” writes Cesar Chavez, “have been poor for more than we can remember.” He continues, “We have made only a small amount of progress these past ten years of work and struggle. Our women and children still die too often and too young. There is too much hunger and disease among us.”
These conditions affect farm workers who are mostly Black, Brown, and Indian. Living in substandard houses and eating substandard meals, the farm workers struggle to stay alive. They are not asking for a hand-out or for a donation. They are not asking for a free ride. All they are asking for is a right which most working people have in the United States: the right to collective bargain.
In Arizona (one of two major lettuce producing states), the growers and politicians have just passed a law that destroys the right of farm workers to have a union. Supporters of the United Farm Worker’s Union could be arrested for telling their friends not to buy lettuce. The only means the farm workers have to redress grievances is to go to a special Agricultural Labor Relations Board (appointed by Republican Governor Jack Williams) for a government-conducted election to determine their right to strike. And the Governor, so far, has met the demands of the farm workers with cold indifference. When asked by a reporter to comment on the farm workers who wanted to meet with him, Governor Williams replied, “As far as I’m concerned, these people do not exist.”
Chavez comments, “This attack on our union in Arizona and in every major state is also an attack on the spirit of justice in America. Why shouldn’t farm workers finally have a chance to hold their heads high in their own organization? Why shouldn’t there be food on the tables of the families who work so hard to harvest food?”
We of the Peoples’ Christian Coalition and staff of the Post American urge our brothers and sisters in Christ to join in this nationwide boycott. We urge you not to buy iceberg lettuce, unless it carries the aztec eagle union label on the cellophane wrapper.
To sum up this challenge, Cesar Chavez writes, “We only wish an opportunity to organize our union and to work nonviolently to bring a new day of hope and justice to the farm workers of our country. It is long overdue and surely it is not too much to ask. Justice for farm workers is our only goal; it is the goal of our non-violent lettuce boycott. Will you help us by making a commitment not to eat or buy lettuce? This is a small sacrifice that can bring a great change for migrant farm workers. I ask for your prayers and your continued help in our struggle.”
Glen Melnick was an associate editor of the Post American when this article appeared.
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