volume 50
issue II
Conversation &
La Gente Newsmagazine
Conflict
la gente newsmagazine
3
Editor’s Note
4
“Es que él no le pego” Haydee Sánchez Resendiz
6
Progressive Politics in Colombia: First Queer Woman Elected as Mayor Juan Angel Marquez-Cruz
8
Generation Genocide Karim Isaac Hyderali
11
COVID-19 & the Dangers of Misinformation Within Latinx Communities Alejandra Velasco
13
Conversations About Leaving Home Jonathan Valenzuela Mejia
15
Playlist Alvaro Hernandez-Say, Sara De La O, Jeanna Kim, Manuel Madrigal
16
Calladita te ves más bonita: Tackling Sexism and Machismo Andrea Alvarez
18
Farmworkers and Food: The Injustices Migrant Workers Face While Sustaining a Nation Sarah Mejia
20
Staff
La Gente Newsmagazine is published and copyrighted by the ASUCLA Cornmunications Board. All rights are reserved. Reprinting of any material in this publication without the written permission of the Communications Board is strictly prohibited. The ASUCLA Communications Board fully supports the University of California’s policy on non-discrimination. The student media reserve the right to reject or modify advertising whose content discriminates on the basis of ancestry, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, age, sex or sexual orientation. The ASUCLA Communications Board has a media grievance procedure for resolving complaints against any of its publications. For a copy of the complete procedure, contact the publications office at 118 Kerckhoff Hall @ 310-825-9898
2
EDITOR’SNOTE
It is often that the conversations we least want to have—the kind that can make us uncomfortable or perhaps challenge our perception of the world and ourselves—are the ones we need to engage in the most. Although I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge how difficult it is to hold space for these exchanges, let alone to navigate them, it is important to note how consequential they are for both our personal well-being and that of our communities. We are at a critical juncture in time where political polarization, high levels of inequality and global disaccord all threaten our futures. When the world seldom agrees and even truth and facts can be disputed, if not distorted or ignored entirely, how do we hold each other accountable? Do we try to bridge the divide, or do we exploit those fractures in search of a resolution that does not compromise our ideals? The answers to these questions are hardly black and white nor are they simple enough to manage in a few sentences, but I believe they all begin with conviction and a willingness to confront our own reality. This issue tackles a variety of conflicts, from the interpersonal to the international, in the hope that our readers will feel empowered to face theirs head on. There is an incalculable value in being able to address the matters that are important to us and our communities even when they place us at odds with what we thought we knew or with those we admire. We hope that this issue will serve as a reminder to speak up, participate, advocate, and engage in spite of the fear of defying certain norms or conventional beliefs. As always, I am in awe of the creativity and passion of our staff. Thank you for dedicating your time, talents and brilliance into our magazine. I am eternally grateful for your contributions and the opportunity to work with you all. Ultimately, before any of these conversations can take place, we must be willing to come to the table. If ever one fails to offer you a seat, do not shy away from the opportunity to create an inclusive space of your own. On behalf of La Gente, please consider this issue a personal invitation to ours. Con esperanza, Sofia Rizkkhalil Editor in Chief
3
Visual by Melissa Morales
“Es que él no le pego” by Haydee Sánchez Resendiz The following poem is written in the style of a valona that originates from Guanajuato, Mexico’s arribeño music and sound. Huapango arribeño is recognized for its musical elements and poetic improvisation used to celebrate, dance, and even present a challenge. Two separate groups—each composed of a guitarist, violinist, and a Mexican vihuela player—face each other to interpret sones and jarabes. The following valona is written from the perspective of a daughter who expresses her feelings after learning about the backlash her family has received upon reporting a case of domestic violence. “Es que él no le pegó” Con mucho sentimiento anunció ¿Por qué lo defendió? Si fui yo quien lo miro Fue más la humillación Como de mi madre se burló A mi solo me vio, y me sonrió Cuando le intente llamar la atención Ahí ya cambio mi expresión Pues él se rió, y me ignoro Entendí que a nosotros no nos valoró Así que le voy a exigir Que no vuelva a repetir “Es que él no le pego” “Es que ella no es una víctima” Encontraron el coraje de decir Pero no lo suficiente para venir Esta bien, pero será la última Mi madre no ocupa de su lastima Lo que sí me sorprendió Fue su falta de comprensión No debieron alarmarse Pues sin antes informarse Con mucho sentimiento anunció Usted se pregunta porque no se quedó Pero por nosotros, mi madre mucho aguantó
Él lo vio, se aprovechó y a eso se aferró Escondía como era su relación Para no llamar tanto la atención Por eso entiendo que así no lo conoció Pues a muchos convenció Pero usted, sin tener información Ni escuchar nuestra versión ¿Por qué lo defendió? “Pero es tú familia” Me repetían como si no sabía Me tomaban por ser hija muy fría Pero nadie veía como discutía Fuese de noche o fuese de día En ocasiones a mi también me agredía Y eso nadie lo sabía Mi respeto lo perdió Cuando a mi madre agredió Si fui yo quien lo miró In incidents of domestic violence, it is crucial to remember that different individuals are impacted and involved. The daughter’s perspective informs the poem; it expresses her point of view to emphasize that the reality of domestic violence, mental and emotional abuse is not always clear for those that aren’t on the receiving end. Although the effects are not always visible, the experiences of victims should in no way be diminished or negated. Accordingly, when someone takes that initial step to escape a dangerous situation, they should not face criticism. Despite this, in Latinx communities it is rather common for reporting someone to be seen as an act of betrayal, especially in a culture where loyalty and family are often placed above all else. However, reprimanding victims for reporting their abusers protects the aggressor and reinforces toxic masculinity. Moreover, it helps perpetuate domestic violence and victim-blaming. Physical and psychological abuse should never be condoned, and machismo should be considered a threat and not a continued cultural difference.
5
Claudia López, left, celebrates her mayoral victory in Bogotá. EPA. Castañeda, M. (2019).
Progressive Politics in Colombia: First Queer Woman Elected as Mayor by Juan Angel Marquez-Cruz
During the 2019 Colombian election, Claudia López Hernández, became the first woman and first openly queer candidate to be elected mayor of Bogotá, Colombia, the second most critical elected position in the country. As expected, Hernández’s rise to power was strongly contested by right-wing, evangelical, and conservative movements which sought to barricade any future for transformative politics. These movements denounced the populist vote naming Claudia Hernández mayor, calling her “immoral” for proudly displaying her relationship with her wife, Angelica Lozano Correa.
6
Although Colombia—along with the many Latin American countries—is perceived to centralize conservative and Catholic-dominated policy, the nation employs a more progressive agenda in their social-political legislation. In 2015, for instance, trans folx over the age of 18 were granted the right to legally correct their gender identity on all identification-based documents. The following year, the battle for same-sex marriage was rendered a success, allowing equal protection for same-sex couples and implementing more progressive policies that chastise gender-based discrimination in the workforce.
Correspondingly, to maintain the progressive momentum, Hernández proposed instituting essential changes to public forums, health services, and educational sectors in her 60-page policy memo. Through this vision, she hopes to restore sympathy and reduce the stigmatization of and violence against marginalized queer individuals. Likewise, Hernández aspires to enact regional safe spaces where LGBTQ+ folx are able to feel protected, regardless of their sexual or gender identification. Hernández’s victory fulfilled the seemingly intangible dreams of those whose lives are constantly threatened by homophobic, transphobic, and misogynistic hate crimes. This intersectional representation of women, queerness, the working class, and the disenfranchised reflect powerful and crucial changes that will unequivocally transform the trajectory of Latin American politics. We are witnessing a momentous epoch in the course of Latin American history—where more marginalized identities are taking on leadership roles.
gathering more than 300 LGBTQ+ elected officials from Latin America and the Caribbean during its Fourth Conference in Bogotá. The importance of visibility in Latin American politics, and around the globe in this case, creates social consciousness of LGBTQ+ matters that were otherwise ignored. Ultimately, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and granting them spaces at the table where heteropatriarchy unfortunately persists is imperative. Doing so fosters a more engaged and well-represented populace—one that truly reflects the transformative changes occurring across regions of Latin America. In these precarious times, marginalized communities should continue to consolidate their power and demand visibility and involvement in politics at every level of government.
Case in point, in 2019, the Victory Institute— an organization committed to increasing the amount of LGBTQ+ folx in public office—reports
7
Generation Genocide by Karim Isaac Hyderali
Visual by Haven Jovel Morales
Tonight we party with death’s disciples Arm up with blades, bombs and rifles Or just sit back and clutch your Bible Nowhere to run from Generation Genocide Mother Nature became the Grim Reaper’s Bride As his body hits the dirt He sees his blood become absorbed by the Earth Bombs falling from the sky Seven years old is too young to see people die The blast robbed him of his sight Wanted to show off his brand new shoes He heard screams as his loved were ones split in two Seventy-three years of his people living through this hell Fighting day after day, praying that they prevail Accounts of forced sterilization Beaten until they pledged loyalty to their nation Police boots to the abdomen and struck with electric probes Treated this way until their hearts and mind broke Detained and forced to do everything she normally wouldn’t Just because she was a proud Uyghur woman Subjugated to mass torture and rape Xi Jinping assures us that it’s fake Generation Genocide Born into this way of life Victims of our predecessors’ pride We just wanna scream into the night Constantly in a fight, Fighting just to stay alive Mother Nature is having a stroke Assad’s chemicals will make you choke Russia’s making Ukraine go up in smoke China operating under the guise of reeducation is a joke Venezuelans can’t afford to eat, so they’re being forced to flee The world is infected with COVID-19 Afghanistan has been taken by the Taliban Sexual violence is running rampant in South Sudan I.C.E. has been putting immigrants in cages Free speech in North Korea is considered outrageous Unmarked graves underneath Canada’s residential schools Slaves are being used to mine up jewels
9
Sixes in groups of three Misery won’t set us free Born into this fucked up world What can we do, we have no say Everything slowly fades to gray
We were all forced to go and drink the Kool-Aid Fucking up the planet, so the rich can get paid Mother Earth continues to withstand our abuse All of the toxic and atmospheric waste that we produce
Death and destruction around every single corner Even elementary school’s have been getting visits from the coroner Thirty-four school shootings when it was mostly virtual Parents and children bursting into tears Because death always draws near And far too many have grown to become desensitized Guess that’s what makes us Generation Genocide
Trash, oil and debris fill the seas Marine life begin to die and catch disease The air and water start to go up by a few degrees Ice caps melt by the day, arctic life begins to fade away Forests suddenly set ablaze, flames burning all the animals in its way The survivors end up displaced, and their populations begin to decay Direct results of the pollution that we create
Found himself on the receiving end of a .22 He just wanted to liberate his people and expose the truth His daughter found him covered in bullet holes Because of the politicians he opposed Freedom of speech only applies to sheep Blood of journalists continue to flood Mexican streets Don’t ask about femicide, hate crimes, the drug trade or Inidgenous extortion Or else your unsolved murder becomes your misfortune
The Amazon is under attack Her children are murdered when they try to fight back Wounds creating carbon emissions, The complete opposite of her original mission Bolsonaro laughing as her warriors are killed Indigenous genocide gives him thrills The forest cries as more native blood spills
Families being forced to flee their homes Artsakh falling under Azerbaijani control Don’t want them to have a nation of their own Children drawing bombs and tanks Reflecting on seeing where they grew up turn to waste Feeling like there’s a hole within their soul Can’t forgive them for the lives and land they stole Who’s to say that in ten years we’ll be alive anyways? But more importantly, who’s to blame for letting the world get this way? Anger and frustration burn like toxic radiation That’s just how it is for this unfortunate generation
10
Blessed be the protectors of the land, Guardians making a stand, But they must live in fear Knowing the government doesn’t want them here So when they can’t find them, They go and destroy their home The sins of our predecessors, Generation Genocide must atone Stare into their eyes With a heart as black as night Look at their pain and despair Tell them you don’t really care Generation Genocide is losing its breath Quiet now, don’t make a sound Watch as humanity falters to the ground
COVID-19 and the Dangers of Misinformation Within Latinx Communities by Alejandra Velasco COVID-19 and its Omicron variant continue to spread quickly around the world and are here to stay. Over the course of the pandemic, many people died from COVID-19 while believing it was non-existent. Unfortunately, the virus will continue to change and evolve progressively. Stuart Ray, M.D., and Robert Bollinger, M.D., M.P.H., specialists in the virus that causes COVID-19, have claimed that “geographic separation tends to result in genetically distinct variants.” Nonetheless, many continue to deny the existence of the virus and refuse to adhere to the required safety measures. Luckily, according to USAFacts, approximately 76% of the population has been vaccinated with at least one dose as of February 2022. However, 24% of the American population remains uninoculated and more vulnerable to the virus. Notably, vaccination rates are still lower among communities of color, and misinformation is a likely factor in that disparity. Unfortunately, not everyone is equipped with the tools and knowledge to distinguish a reliable source from a non-reliable one. This causes many to regard social media posts as credible news sources. According to the Pew Research Center, data suggests that 73% of the Latinx community on social media has a strong preference for Facebook, while approximately 34% or less have a strong preference for Instagram or Twitter. Social media users will often click on news links on the social media sites, but can fail to distinguish whether the article they are reading contains false information. Facebook and Twitter, in particular, allow for the dissemination of fabricated stories faster than any other social media websites given that billions of people view the “trending topics.” Regrettably, stories with false or misleading information often surround topics on the Internet.
Furthermore, many among the Latinx community display high levels of mistrust towards political figures and government. Case in point, some have raised their suspicions about the pandemic and believe that the virus was a government strategy to depopulate the world. Similarly, Latinx news outlets have spread rumors, hoaxes, and conspiracy theories online with fake news ramped up across platforms, only serving to increase the fear and confusion among the population. Additionally, Latinx communities can be more likely to fall prey to misinformation because of the linguistic gap that many face. Without a doubt, false and deceptive information can be dangerous, even impacting the way people approach their health concerns. For instance, misinformation surrounding the safety of vaccines caused many people to not want them. Correspondingly, stories asserting that COVID-19 is not real or that it only affects the elderly, such as those 65 and older, can be detrimental to others. It can lead people to imprudently ignore health protocols and feel invulnerable to the deadly virus despite reports indicating that COVID-19 can have serious implications for people of all ages. Similarly, certain fabricated stories erroneously suggested that there were products, such as Ivermectin or bleach, that could help cure or protect a person from getting the virus. These prompted people to dangerously and misguidedly consume anti-parasitic medication and home remedies with bleach. Perhaps even more alarming, is that this was done in spite of the messages from medical experts nationwide urging people to refrain from consuming toxins.
11
Visual by Melissa Morales
However, there are steps that everyone can take to ensure that they do not disseminate misinformation within their communities. To ascertain whether a source is credible, make sure to evaluate the following criteria: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
12
Is the publisher of the source reputable? What are the author’s credentials and affiliations? Is the source up-to-date? What sources are cited by the author? Is there any bias?
It is critical to know not just who and where you get your news from, but if it is trustworthy and accurate as well. Anyone can post a tweet or an article online but that does not guarantee that they are actually qualified to provide medical advice or suggestions to the public. With these tips, not only can you distinguish misinformation from credible sources, but you can help educate your family as well. Spread the word.
Conversations About Leaving Home by Jonathan Valenzuela Mejia
Photograph by Ruth Chincanchan “Papá, me voy a mudar a la universidad.” For years, I wanted to say those words to my dad. I love my father and my family with all my heart, but attending a college on the other side of the state finally gave me the opportunity to move out on my own for the first time last year. I wanted to experience a new life, one different than I grew up with, and I finally made the decision to go forward and pursue the life I desired. Despite the COVID-19 outbreak postponing the date, my dad and I both knew that I would have to move out of our home eventually. Although it was hard for him to see another one of his children leave the nest, he knew it was best for my education. My father and I had fought hard for me to have an opportunity like being able to study at UCLA, and we would not
squander it just so I could stay home. When the time finally came, I knew a part of him struggled with the news. He had relied on me to help around the house and take care of my little sister. However, he supported me wholeheartedly and encouraged me to forge a life of my own. “No te preocupes, lo arreglo yo, tú ve y hazte una vida por ti mismo allá.” These words represented his blessing, but I knew they were more for my benefit than his. His approval meant the world, and I would not have been able to take the final step without it. The worst part is the guilt—the guilt that replaces the rush of excitement of achieving a goal, of taking a leap towards a future you have dreamed of.
13
Ultimately, I felt like a traitor that had abandoned his family, and the feeling still persists to this day. It is bittersweet to have the opportunity to study at a university because I know my father would have wanted to but was never afforded the same privilege. “What if I had gone to the school close by instead? It was a mistake coming here. I don’t know why I chose UCLA when I had a perfectly good option close to home.” Every time that the smallest thing goes wrong while I am at UCLA, these thoughts loop through my head like clockwork. Likewise, when something big happens back home, the voice persists despite the fact that coming here was the best decision I could have made for myself. Beyond that, I carry the weight of no longer being able to watch my little sister grow up. I played a fundamental role in the first six years of her life, but now I am gone. This is a feeling that many older siblings can relate to when moving away for college. We essentially took on a role similar to a parent, and when we move on to make a life of our own, it can feel as if we have abandoned our own child.
By attending UCLA, I am indirectly allowing him to achieve his dreams of obtaining a higher education. Similarly, I try to remember that my sister will be able to look up to me, to see an example of someone going to college, and find herself unafraid to make a dream for herself. Being here, over 300 miles away from my home and those I love most has hurt a lot, but it has also made me stronger. “Primero en la familia, nunca lo olvides.” We, the children who left our homes, whether we are ten miles away or 1,000, share similar experiences. We feel the guilt and shame of thinking of ourselves for once, often avoiding conversations on this topic, since they can be heartbreaking and difficult to have. However, these discussions are what keep us going. They remind us of why we are here, why we pursue the topics we are studying, and why we are the person our families helped shape us to be. They uplift us and prompt us to work so hard out of love—love for our families and communities— to ensure that those who come after us have an example and are able to take that step and choose themselves when the need arises.
Ultimately, my conversations with my father are what “Recuerda quien eres, porque eso es lo que te ayuda a helps me push past the guilt and stay motivated. seguir adelante.” Photograph by Ruth Chincanchan
For years, I wanted to say those words to my dad. I love my father and my family with all my heart, but attending a college on the other side of the state finally gave me the opportunity to move out on my own for the first time last year. I wanted to experience a new life, one different than I grew up with, and I finally made the decision to go forward and pursue the life I desired. Despite the COVID-19 outbreak postponing the date, my dad and I both knew that I would have to move out of our home eventually. Although it was hard for him to see another one of his children leave the nest, he knew it was best for my education. My father and I had fought hard for me to have an opportunity like being able to study at UCLA, and we would not
14
squander it just so I could stay home. When the time finally came, I knew a part of him struggled with the news. He had relied on me to help around the house and take care of my little sister. However, he supported me wholeheartedly and encouraged me to forge a life of my own. “No te preocupes, lo arreglo yo, tú ve y hazte una vida por ti mismo allá.” These words represented his blessing, but I knew they were more for my benefit than his. His approval meant the world, and I would not have been able to take the final step without it. The worst part is the guilt—the guilt that replaces the rush of excitement of achieving a goal, of taking a leap towards a future you have dreamed of.
Photograph by Ruth Chincanchan
“Papá, me voy a mudar a la universidad.”
PLAYLIST This playlist is curated by our very own radio team, Chismeando con La Gente. When conversations are hard, music can help ease the stress. We focused on songs that deal with topics that words can sometimes fail to fully express. Plug in and listen to this playlist as you read our newsmag or simply play these tunes to help you relax! Scan the barcode to hear the playlist featuring songs such as...
La Peor Idea de la Historia Cora Yako Labios Compartidos Maná Cayendo (Side A - Acoustic) Frank Ocean Si Una Vez Selena Samba Pa Ti Santana
15
Calladita te ves más bonita: Tackling Sexism and Machismo
Visual by Nancy Romo
by Andrea Alvarez
Muchachitas decentes; our mamás, abuelas, and tías continuously stressed the importance of being honorable young women, yet what exactly makes one an exemplary Latina? According to the aged muchachita decente philosophy, a decent young woman is reserved, modest, and obedient. The term acts as the blueprint for the perfect wife and mother, characterized by her ability to care for and serve her family. As my female relatives compare their experiences to mine, saying things
16
like “a tu edad yo ya sabía cocinar,” I recount how times have changed, and I am privileged to have grown up under different circumstances. However, have these old-fashioned beliefs actually left our communities? Notwithstanding the generations of change and progress in combating gender inequality, the muchachita decente model continues to impose patriarchal norms on women.
Accordingly, expectations of how women should behave, speak, dress, and think have prevailed. While Latinas are encouraged to pursue higher education and establish successful careers on their own, we are still expected to get married and form a family upon completing these achievements, if not concurrently so. This reinforces the idea that women are only accomplished when they have a man by their side and link their value to motherhood.
Moreover, the cultural and social construct of sexuality within the Latinx community has resulted in the hypersexualization of Latinas, allowing their bodies and virginity to serve as indicators of their worth. In fact, the traditional Quinceañera celebration originated as a cultural initiation into “womanhood,” signifying 15year old girls were of age to become wives and mothers. Nevertheless, even as our Quinceañera celebrations have evolved and deviated from
Conversely, when Latinas deviate from the “As a result, a woman’s autonomy expected norms, we are labeled rebellious and is often repressed for their own shamed for not adhering to the conventional standards put forth by the patriarchy. Attempts to ‘protection’ while the sexism within modify our image and behaviors are disguised as our culture remains unaddressed.” a form of protection from the dangers the outside world presents. As a result, a woman’s autonomy is often repressed for their own “protection” their original purpose, young women are still while the sexism within our culture remains being initiated into a culture where their value is unaddressed. dependent on their sexual repression; purity and submissiveness are encouraged in place of sexual Correspondingly, women are also expected liberty. to act and appear modest, otherwise they are blamed for the sexualization of their bodies. Ultimately, Latinas will gain collective liberation The Madonna-Whore dichotomy juxtaposes the when our communities unlearn these ideologies constructed image of a “good” and “bad” woman. and break the generational cycles of sexism and The former wears modest clothes and is pure, misogyny. We must continue to empower our reserved and good-natured—a woman fit for young girls to raise their voices and remind them marriage. However, the latter is promiscuous, that no necesitas callar para ser bonita. morally reprehensible and unchaste—a woman deemed ill-suited to handle the responsibilities of a mother and wife. This complex is often used to vilify women who do not behave as society deems they should. For instance, figures such as La Malinche—an Indigenous woman who was sold to Hernán Cortés as a translator and contributed to the fall of the Aztec Empire—are often mischaracterized. Although she did turn her back on her people, the context which informed her actions is rarely weighed. La Malinche was sold into slavery by her mother and villainized for her supposed affair with Cortés despite his having purchased and abused her. She is blamed for the abuse she endured and disparaged as a result.
17
Farmworkers and Food: The Injustices Migrant Workers Face While Sustaining a Nation by Sarah Mejia
Food is a staple of everyday life: it is a tool for health, a cultural outlet, and an opportunity for social connection. This intricate relationship means that thinking about where food comes from and specifically who harvests it is an important topic, but one that is generally disregarded. True social consciousness should consider how food practices that enrich the health of one demographic may be detrimental to another. Specifically, the habits of consumers can reinforce the negative working conditions of migrant farm workers who harvest the food that is readily available to the general population. Labor violations against migrant workers in U.S. farms began with the Bracero Program in 1942. As a response to labor shortages in the agricultural industry, the U.S. and Mexico created an agreement to provide seasonal employment to Mexicans. The Bracero Program lasted over two decades before it was shut down as a result of unjust labor practices and rising political tensions due to racism. In 1986, Congress passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) which made it illegal for U.S. employers to knowingly hire undocumented migrants. This act, however, did not end the need for cheap labor: American employers utilized the IRCA to exploit undocumented workers, knowing that they would take low paying jobs out of necessity. In a study conducted by Princeton University, researchers found that “undocumented
18
migrants earn 20 percent less, on average, than legal immigrants, while temporary legal workers earn around 13 percent less.“ Additionally, employers began hiding their hiring practices by subcontracting undocumented workers. This system allowed for plausible deniability of illegal hiring practices and further cut undocumented worker’s wages in order to compensate the subcontractor. Seeing that the IRCA was not curving any hiring practices, Congress passed the Immigration Act of 1990 (IMMACT90) which legalized the use of foreign labor without granting permanent citizenship. Under IMMACT90, immigrants working in the agricultural sector are issued H-2A visas under the following conditions: work is temporary and the worker will return to their country of origin when the visa expires. Moreover, the H-2A visa may be extended up to three years, at which point the migrant must reside outside of the U.S. for three months before returning on a new one. Since the H-2A visa is dependent on the employer’s willingness to keep the worker and extend their stay, employers hold all of the power. This fearbased power dynamic means that many labor violations (such as sexual harassment, unpaid overtime, dangerous working conditions, reduced wages, etc.) go undocumented due to the threat of deportation.
With limited options, migrant workers who live in food deserts struggle to achieve a healthy diet and experience negative health effects. According to a study conducted by the California Institute of Rural Studies, who interviewed 971 farm workers from California’s agricultural regions, “81% of male subjects and 76% of female subjects had unhealthful weight.” Excess body fat due to increased intake of processed foods is a risk factor for a variety of health issues including hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and iron deficiency. The study found that the majority of interviewees faced these health issues at a disproportionate rate in comparison to the national average of U.S. adults. To fully comprehend the magnitude of this issue, compare migrant workers’ low wages with the average expenditure on food. According to the California Agriculture journal, two of the most
Visuals provided by Lexia Luna-Nazari
utilized farm labor contractors, Fresh Harvest Inc. and Rancho Nuevo Harvesting, contract H-2A migrant workers for an average of $10,922 and $8,651 (respectively) per season. Keeping in mind that H-2A visas only permit migrants to work with their assigned employer, these wages are not enough to sustain a healthy diet during periods of unemployment and application processing. This is evident in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2020 food expenditure study which found that “households in the lowest income quintile spent an average of $4,099 on food…while households in the highest income quintile spent an average of $12,245 on food.” Neither of these budgets are feasible with the wages migrant workers are making, as it represents approximately 50% of their income. The juxtaposition between migrant workers sacrificing their physical health for the harvesting and distribution of healthy foods across the country while not being able to readily afford nor access those same foods requires an immediate solution. As consumers, we need to bring attention to this vital issue affecting members of the Latinx community by admitting that we contribute to this inequitable system. We should sign petitions, attend protests, donate money to help migrant workers, and call state legislators to advocate for immigration reform. It is only just that farm workers have a right to the same nutritious food that they work so hard to provide us all with.
Getty Images. (2017).
Correspondingly, migrant farm workers on H-2A visas have less money to spend on food for themselves and their families. According to the California Endowment, low-socioeconomic households (like that of migrant workers) are more likely to be located in a food desert. These areas are “places with large proportions of households with low incomes, inadequate access to transportation, and a limited number of food retailers providing fresh produce and healthy groceries for affordable prices.”
19
Staff Editor in Chief Sofia Rizkkhalil
Managing Editor
Karim Isaac Hyderali
Head of Copy Laysha Macedo
Web Manager Jacqueline Silva
Director of Marketing Paulina Fernandez
Content Editors
Jacky Barragán Sarah Mejia Jonathan Valenzuela Mejia
Copy Editors
Angelica Alcantar Edgar Olvera Marisol Huerta-Ontiveros Jacqueline Silva
Layout & Visuals Editor Haven Jovel Morales
Radio Coordinator
Alvaro Hernandez-Say
Spanish Editor
Jonathan Valenzuela Mejia
20
Layout/Design Team Srujana Bhoopanam Itzel Hernandez
Marketing Team
Jennifer Hernandez Naomi Orozco
Radio Team
Manuel Madrigal Jeanna Kim Sara De La O
Spanish Team
Juan Ángel Marquez Haydee Sánchez Resendiz
Staff Writers
Andrea Alvarez Jowen Scarlet Escobar Espy De La O Lesley Gonzalez Renee Grange Carol Martinez Juan Ángel Marquez Haydee Sánchez Resendiz Miriam Torres Sanchez Alejandra Velasco Isabela Zavala
Visuals Team
Ruth Chincanchan Esiselda Linares Lexia Luna-Nazari Melissa Morales Nancy Romo
Interns
Andrea Alvarez Isabela Angulo Elizabeth Iniguez-Figueroa Giselle Gonzalez Evely Torres
Socials Twitter: @lagentenewsmag FB: @La Gente Newsmagazine IG: @LaGenteNewsmag
