JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
  • About K
  • Academics
  • Admission
  • Alumni Relations
  • Giving to K
  • News & Events
  • Student Life
  • HORNET HIVE
  • ATHLETICS
  • SITEMAP
  • WEBMAIL
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   CACHE Homepage
    • Academic Departments, Programs, and SIPs
    • Political Science
    • Political Science Senior Integrated Projects
    • View Item
    •   CACHE Homepage
    • Academic Departments, Programs, and SIPs
    • Political Science
    • Political Science Senior Integrated Projects
    • View Item

    The Success of the United Farm Workers: Lessons in Social Movements For the Contemporary Michigan Labor Force

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Searchable PDF/Kalamazoo College Only (2.090Mb)
    Date
    2003
    Author
    Garcia, Amanda
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    I sought to interview people involved in different aspects of migrant labor. This ranged from the director of the summer program, to a nurse who provides care to migrant families, workers in the program who had family members who were migrant workers, and workers themselves. These interviews provided a variety of perspectives on the issue of farm labor; however the process was not without its faults. First of all, while many interviews were conducted, my research could have benefited from a broader range of subject and outlooks. The greatest disadvantage of my research design, however, can be found in the content of the questions. Upon considering how I wanted to formulate my hypothesis, it was my intention to focus on the positive effects migrant workers have on public policy and how through grassroots efforts and organizing they have in fact effected significant social change. My interview questions were therefore centered on this theme, and it was my intention to find empirical evidence to support this claim. Interestingly however, what I found was a lack of organization and motivation toward change. I found a rather stagnant situation and somewhat apathetic participants. These unexpected findings lead me to ponder different questions, and my research therefore took a different turn. I began wondering why this group of people who had given me so much testimony on how their condition was a daily struggle did not seem motivated to organize in an effort to change that situation. I began researching why social movements occur, and what the factors are in the success of these movements. The best example of a social movement in the farm labor industry is that of the United Farm Workers (UFW) and their leader, Cesar Chavez. This essay will use the case of the UFW and Cesar Chavez along with the consideration of current competing theories on social movements in order to explain the apparent lack of a social movement among Michigan migrant laborers.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10920/11522
    Collections
    • Food and Farming Justice Senior Integrated Projects [26]
    • Kalamazoo College Guilds: Justice and Peace SIPs [732]
    • Political Science Senior Integrated Projects [800]

    Browse

    All of CACHECommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    Login

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2023  DuraSpace
    DSpace Express is a service operated by 
    Atmire NV
    Logo

    Kalamazoo College
    1200 Academy Street
    Kalamazoo Michigan 49006-3295
    USA
    Info 269-337-7000
    Admission 1-800-253-3602

    About K
    Academics
    Admission
    Alumni Relations
    Giving to K
    News & Events
    Student Life
    Sitemap
    Map & Directions
    Contacts
    Directories
    Nondiscrimination Policy
    Consumer Information
    Official disclaimer
    Search this site


    Academic Calendars
    Apply
    Bookstore
    Crisis Response
    Employment
    Library
    Registrar
    DSpace Express is a service operated by 
    Atmire NV