As you grab that head of lettuce from your local grocery store, you might have thought about the farmer who picked that particular head of lettuce; however, I am sure you never thought
if it were difficult. the Author of “ A Gringo in the Lettuce Fields,” Gabriel Thompson not only
writes about his undercover observance of the strenuous and intensive labor of a specific latino
community, but also physically participates in the fieldwork that this community is involved with
in Yuma Arizona. In Thompson’s article he achieves a strong awareness while immersed with the
community and their work, which leads Thompson to understand their struggle between american
acceptance and the overall merciless labor. I can agree to my capacity
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Thompson begins by describing his physical state within the first three days of working in
the lettuce fields, including a mentioned five day rule by a farmworker known as Manuel.
”I stand up gingerly. It’s only my third day in the fields, but already my 30-year-old body is
failing me. I feel like someone has dropped a log on my back and then piled that log onto another Ayala 2
truck with many logs, and driven that truck over my thighs” (Thompson 81).Manuel goes on to
tell Thompson about the five day rule that is simply put by Manuel as “ Survive the first five days
and you’ll be fine” (Thompson 81). To think, if this is an actual rule that newcomers must take to
mind before they begin to work the lettuce fields, than you can already determine the level of
difficulty not only Thompson is involved with but also the community of farmworkers employed
in those fields.
There is an abundance of leafy greens produced in Yuma Arizona, but not enough
farmworkers to help harvest them. Most americans are not willing to take up the work however,
the latinos located across the border are more than happy to step into this labor, yet
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Amid jeers, he didn’t back down, telling the audience,
“ You can’t do it, my friends.” (Thompson 82)
Clearly it is not only correct to give a dignifying individual a position of labor that is in desperate
need of occupation, but also worthwhile for the land and community who need people to harvest
their farms so they can meet the simple daily life essentials, conveniently located at your local Ayala 3
grocery store.
As the workday continues, Thompson realizes a farmworkers job of harvesting is not as
simple as it may sound. Thompson than explains a particular scenario of frustration he has
involving the trimming of the lettuce head, “ The greatest difficulty, though , is in the trimming. I
had no idea that a head of lettuce was so humongous. In order to get it into a shape that can be
bagged, I trim and trim and trim, but it’s taking me upward of a minute to do what Manuel does in
several seconds ” (Thompson 83). Cutting a single head of lettuce is no problem, no matter how
long it takes to learn; however, apply a very brief time set for this particular work to be done,
include a thousand more lettuce heads to be trimmed, and don’t forget the quality of your
In this installment of Harvest of Empire, we reach the third and final chapter named La Cosecha which shows the impact of Latinos in politics. Though, the two previous sections were interesting due to learning history and the history of Gonzalez himself, in this section we learn of the triumphs and downfalls of communities that were aren’t made aware of in modern textbooks or in classrooms. In Chapter 10, we are knowledgeable that the Latino vote has not only increased by sky-rocketed from the years 1976 to 2008. The revolution has been in the works since post World War II although it’s not commonly known as other legacies throughout the United States. As the years later progressed, the United States saw the rise of major radical groups such
This book as mentioned before is a great addition to academia; Dr., García’s thorough research, and vast amount of statistics, give new light to the Mexican immigration into the United States in the nineteenth century, As well as the many contributions of the Mexican people in this country. Which has many times been overlooked by scholars, who choose to focus on immigration from the other side of the Atlantic, as the greater contributor of talent and greatness in this country. García’s book not only includes the struggle of men but also the struggle of the many women who sacrificed much, and had to endure even more while working as domestics for many racist patronas. Dr., Mario García obtained a PhD. At the University of California in San Diego, and is currently a professor of Chicano/Chicana studies at the University of California in Santa Barbara.
Maniac Magee is about a boy who struggled throughout his life. His name was Jeffrey Lionel Magee, sometimes known as Maniac Magee. His parents died in a trolley accident when he was three years old. He is patient, determined, and he really wants to be loved and understood.
(1) In many short stories and plays there are persons involved which [who] help characterize other main characters. This process of characterization is called a foil. [A foil is not a process.] "A foil is a minor character, who by similarities and differences, reveals characteristics of a more important character, and who, as an element of plot, is there for the more important character to talk to" (Vavra). The foils in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, help the reader understand the main character; [, not ;] Hamlet.
a basis of production, and the only way to operate large farms at the time,
Harvey Parnell speech on crop conditions, 1931. Harvey Parnell Speeches and Clippings (MS/P24), folder 3. Special Collections, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville.
It’s important to follow the rules, because they dictate what your advantage or disadvantage is;
... will always be remembered with other great non-violent activists such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Nelson Mandela, despite this, his determination, dedication, and selflessness will always remain unparalleled.
Reisler, M. 1996. By the Sweat of Their Brow: Mexican Immigrant Labor in the United States, 1900-1940. New York: Greenwood Press.
Portes, Alejandro and Ruben G. Rumbaut, “Immigrant America: A Portrait.” Kiniry and Rose 336-337. Print.
Feagin, Joe R. “The First U.S Latinos: White Wealth and Mexican Labor.” Richard and Jean 67.
Torres, Hector Avalos. 2007. Conversations with Contemporary Chicana and Chicano Writers. U.S.: University of New Mexico press, 315-324.
For centuries man has been considered to be the dominate species. Writings throughout history adumbrate that women are habitually invariably subordinate. Throughout the nineteenth century, women were severely oppressed, repressed, and suppressed by society. Men influenced repression of women’s ideas because it was believed it did not count and held no value; an abundant amount of women unfortunately agreed. An extensive amount of women were uneducated, and subsequently this greatly impacted on their way of thinking. Although the women’s suffrage movement was prominent, an abundant amount of women, in my opinion, were negatively influenced by society as a whole. Within literature, writings oppressed women, and belittled them; portraying them to be weak and in need to have support. This has been the misconception for an extensive amount of centuries. It is debatable that the influence men had on societal views had impacted the boundaries on the views between madness and sanity. Importance on being portrayed as the “perfect” women or housewife could have also been a factor. The late nineteenth century the author, Kate Chopin, brought to the surface truth underneath women with the use of her stories. Many considered this to be madness, because of the content in her writings. As Aristotle once said ‘“No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness.” (Goodreads)
It is estimated that 37 farmers leave the land every day to pursuit in different field (Herro 2006). The decline in rural farmers is from the consequences of industrialization of agriculture. Only 1 percent of the UK workforce is now employed on farm, compared to 35 percent in the last century (Herro 2006). Many of these workers are being weaved out by better technologies that can do the same work at a faster and more efficient rate. On the contrary, organic farming relies more on people for knowledge, daily monitoring, and production. A study by the Soil Association shows organic farming can potentially provide 32 percent more jobs per farm than conventional farming in the United Kingdom (Herro 2006). However, critics have argued that human labors will lead to higher food prices, which makes the shift infeasible. But while this may be true in developed country, a full scale shift to organic farming in developing countries, where labors are much cheaper than pesticides, can lead to a much higher profit for the farmers. Organic farming attracts younger employees than any other work industry. Currently, the average age for conventional farmer is 56 (Herro 2006). If a full scale shift to organic farming were to happen, it would draw a more vibrant and enthusiastic workforce who are food conscious than that older generations, setting up a platform