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By Olivia Garcia
Monday, Apr 30 2012 07:42 AM
I recently finished reading "Dark Sweat, White Gold: California Farm Workers, Cotton, and the New Deal," by UCLA history professor Devra Weber, and I was reminded of the times I spent interviewing Spanish-speaking farmworkers and listening to their stories of struggles, dreams, fears and hopes.
Although the book focuses on migrant agricultural workers in the cotton industry from 1919-1939, some of its themes -- familial and social networks, unionization and living conditions -- remain a focus of conversation for many farmworkers today, and such topics will likely be shared May 18-19 when the United Farm Workers will hold its convention, marking its 50th anniversary, in Bakersfield.
The annual convention has been previously held in Fresno, but UFW President Arturo Rodriguez told me Friday that it made sense to move the convention here.
"First of all, doing it in Kern County means a lot to us," Rodriguez said. "This is where our roots are."
The merging of two organizations, the UFW formed in Delano in 1962, but today is headquartered in Keene in the Tehachapi Mountains where the late Cesar Chavez sometimes conducted personal and unpublicized fasts and meditations. The Keene location also served as the channel for Chavez to focus on his work.
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We often come across surveys -- on air, obesity, you name it -- that put Bakersfield to shame. Yet these observations cannot measure a community that gives unconditionally. Last month, I wrote about a group of Fremont School runners in serious need of uniforms and track shoes. The elementary school is a few blocks away from Union Avenue and East Brundage Lane and school staff mainly runs its PTA, which raises the funds for the school track team, because parental involvement is simply not there.
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Marcel Guerra is a young but energetic track coach and physical education activity leader for the Fremont School Magnet Program, which is tucked away in a working poor neighborhood a few blocks away from Union Avenue and East Brundage Lane.
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One of the most life-changing moments in my life occurred almost 20 years ago in a Dallas hotel, which was hosting a national newspaper association conference. I was about 22 years old, a junior at Fresno State and among a group of about 15 diverse college students from parts of the South, Midwest, East Coast and West Coast.
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INCOME TAX: Tax season has arrived, and if you are still trying to make sense of the new rules or what information you need to file your return, there's help -- free help, especially if you make less than $50,000 a year. The nonprofit Mexican American Opportunity Foundation is currently scheduling appointments for individuals or families to process their tax returns at no charge. The free service is available only to those of low to moderate incomes, said Magda Menendez, MAOF administrator. The nonprofit is able to offer this service through its involvement with the Kern VITA Partnership, a coalition led by United Way of Kern County.
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RIO BRAVO RUMBLE: I started my Saturday morning by attending the Rio Bravo Rumble, organized by Brian Monroe and Glinn & Giordano Physical Therapy. I have to say it is one of my favorite runs to do each year, and I'm not saying this because I have gone to Glinn & Giordano for physical therapy in the past and been pleased with its staff (great people there).
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CHILDREN PRIDE: We often hear about the prideful parents bragging about their children's achievements. But did you know that many children are just as proud of their parents? Just recently, I heard from two local adult children praising their parents' for their hard work and dedication. James Garces, a student athlete at California State University, Bakersfield, sent me a nice note about his mother, Jerri Dawn Garces. She is a district manager for Starbucks Coffee Company and in charge of the Starbucks near Laval Road and I-5 at the base of the Grapevine, which happens to be one of the leading stores in net sales in the U.S., said the son.
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A local nonprofit group is once again gearing up for its annual event that will treat foster care and at-risk youth with plenty of holiday love and spirit.
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DRUG EXPERT: Laurencio "Larry" Brito, an FBI unit chief, will travel to Bakersfield Tuesday Nov. 1 where he is likely to discuss gangs, drugs and other crime affecting both sides of the border. Brito will serve as the keynote speaker of the annual the Fall Forum Luncheon and Administrator of the Year Award hosted by the nonprofit Kern County Law Enforcement Foundation.
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MEDIA MUSIC JAM: A couple of years ago, I was invited by my friend and fellow musician, Steve Flores, to participate in the Media Music Jam, a fundraiser that generated support for a high school band in east Bakersfield.
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HISTORY FORUM: I recently spoke with Alicia Rodriquez, a history professor at Cal State Bakersfield, who shared news about the university's upcoming History Forum on "Blowout! Sal Castro and the Chicano Struggle for Educational Justice," that will feature Mario T. Garcia, a history and Chicano studies professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Sal Castro, American educator and activist.
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A while back, I wrote about Anthony Moronez, a local youth dedicated to running. I recently heard from his grandmother Sylvia Burciaga, who told me that Anthony traveled to New Orleans a few weeks ago and competed in the Junior Olympics for track. He placed first in the 1,500 meter, second in the 800 meter, third in the 3,000 meter and fourth in the relay.
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BACKPACK DRIVE: Talk about creativity. Allure Beauty Salon owner Denise Ornelas is on a mission to collect as many backpacks for underprivileged children, and she's been using Facebook to entice potential donors. The goal is to collect 500. To reach that number, she's been offering some of her beauty services for free.
Bakersfield athlete killed in bicycle race
Armed man shot and killed by police in northwest Bakersfield apartment
