Note: Virtually all the aspects of this archived site are dated. Nothing should be read except particular articles that are recommended directly. If you are not connected with UFW, please go to http://oxtogrind.org/archive/542; that will provide direction for people from ABC, The Black Barbershops and others.

“Suggestions” for the UFW (First draft, unedited)
by Ricardo (and Marcelle Cendrars and Arnold Pepper)

First of all, it’s very important that UFW people understand that people in our quarter do not mean to be disrespectful in making recommendations. I certainly trust that UFW appreciates the value of positive criticism. And I pray that UFW staff in particular realms such as Media/Press Contact, Political Action, etc. will not feel personally threatened by the unsolicited advice TOSCA is sending your way. It’s also important to keep in mind that everything we want to do with you in solidarity, we want to do on a basis that will serve your purposes as you see fit.

I speak as an enthusiastic, well-educated, well-intentioned, experienced citizen passionately concerned with the horror inflicted upon farm workers. Even though I am an outsider, I know that it’s important for UFW to nurture people like me. To do everything possible to recruit us, help us to maintain our interest. Make it easy for us to engage with you.

This is particularly germane when it comes to me, I believe. For I am a highly creative activist, capable of coming up with new paradigms for forcing change. And that is what I see UFW in need of at present.

Here we go. [I trust you've already read http://oxtogrind.org/archive/544. It's an important introduction to this.]

The March 21st demonstration had value. All such events have value. Seeds are planted, etc. One question is — always is — whether or not the mobilization was cost-effective. Or, to put it another way (coming from another angle, actually), did the gathering drain too much energy from what UFW has to draw upon? What was the perception of participants ‘cross the board once the day was over? Did anyone conduct a poll, or was the UFW take based on undocumented anecdotal experience? It’ll be instructive to find out the answers to those questions.

Speaking of undocumented, however, I feel obliged to point out right from the start that we feel that UFW is barking up the wrong tree if they think that they can appeal (successfully) to the compassion of politicians… in order to achieve justice for either documented or undocumented workers within U.S. borders. Petitions, phone calls and the like — like voting — is fine as long as not too many heartbeats are required to deal with them. For, as the late Howard Zinn often underscored, if voting could change anything it would be illegal. Ditto for obsolete forms of protest/appeal (like letter campaigns, marching in circles with placards, etc.). Translation? Yes, go ahead and take part in what you’re used to, but get started on creating a supplemental approach to transforming the lives of farm workers. An approach which follows a new paradigm.

The vast majority of citizens are against the inhumanity which farm workers are subjected to, or would be if they knew the details, but nothing is done. Nothing (nearly enough) is done because the representatives UFW is trying to get to do the right thing KNOW about the details, and have chosen for quite a long time now… to do nothing. To NOT change the status quo.

We have a plan that will circumvent the fact that mainstream media makes sure that citizens do not learn about the inhumanity, or forget about it if they do learn. We have a plan that will get around the fact of politicians’ indifference. [Details upon request, of course.]

But let me pose a question at this juncture. Why does UFW have faith in the EPA? Perhaps I should rephrase that: Why is UFW putting so many activist eggs in the EPA basket? I mean, the EPA’s track record is an abomination. Their mendacity regarding major issues is quite clearly documented in hundreds of cases. I’m not suggesting that UFW should not appeal to them. Just like I’m not saying that UFW people should not vote. Rather, I’m saying that the majority of UFW energy might be better directed elsewhere. Like, say, following a new paradigm for putting pressure on the powers that be.

Have I made enemies in the UFW camp already with people who have worked hard on the campaigns and approaches I’m criticizing? Well, might as well call a spade a spade up front, yes? Let’s have a healthy dialogue about that, if that’s the case. Because it would be horrible to dismiss me prematurely on that basis. Not fair to the farm workers, for one.

But I’ve been chattering here much too long. It’s time to stop for feedback.

That said, permit me to point out two things which I experienced today. Two small, but important, matters which have practical value, I believe, for UFW. Two examples from among at least ten “problems” I encountered this morning in attempting to make contact with reps of UFW about moving in solidarity along new lines. [These are problems which I don't feel it's presumptuous to say should be addressed, and can be addressed easily by those in a position to make things better at UFW.]

One was being told that I wouldn’t be likely to get a response to my urgent missives before Wednesday, when UFW people would be returning from Washington, D.C. No explanation of why — in this day of high tech and email — long distance confirmation of receipt would not be possible. No interest from my local contact in providing feedback herself on a crucially important, urgent communication. Perhaps I’m missing something, but just don’t get it. The dynamic I experienced begs for explanation.

Another downside came from a message machines. I telephoned one office which had a message that did not mention UFW at all. Another office gave no indication that anyone was away in D.C. There were other problems associated with message machines, but that can wait. For now, I guess the basic point is that if UFW wants to encourage outsiders to join them in solidarity, there’s room for improvement on the phone lines.

These are minor points in the scheme of things, yes. But they create a wall which prevents new paradigms from being considered… potentially… or in time.

If every citizen in California and elsewhere knew the relationship between farm workers not being able to take proper breaks (or breaks at all with access to clean water) and, say, E. Coli problems for consumers, …well, I say things would be quite different. Especially if that relationship were drilled home by the Governor of California vigorously, repeatedly and creatively from the Sacred Seat in Sacramento.

That should give you a taste of what the stakes are here. For short of that, I say that UFW has nowhere to go what with laws designed to prevent such horror being on the books, but not being enforced. And the total environmental scenario for farm workers getting worse by the day, EPA’s disingenuous promises notwithstanding. [Definitive documentation upon request.]

Blessings in solidarity,
Bueyhombre et al.
P.S. We all would be interested in the UFW point of view regarding Mike Whitney’s take of Plan Mexico in relation to the plight of immigrant farm workers. We see a great opportunity to double UFW numbers within the next several months, all else being equal.