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Commonwealth Club Address, By Cesar Chavez

649 Words3 Pages

True freedom means having a voice to speak about the working conditions of farmworkers, and it means the right to live in a society free of racial injustice. Firstly, and foremost, all farmworkers should have a voice to speak about their environmental working conditions. Cesar Chavez, a labor leader and civil rights activist, during his speech called the “Commonwealth Club Address “in California on November 9, 1984. Chavez talked about the importance of drawing attention to the harsh living and working conditions of farmworkers, aiming to raise awareness and advocate for better treatment for farmworkers. “Farmworkers worked in dire conditions, including exposure to deadly chemicals, inadequate food and shelter, and sexual harassment, while receiving meager wages.” (1962: Farm workers Union). This quote describes the harsh realities faced …show more content…

It also highlights the need for better treatment and rights for farmworkers. Additionally, after the long-lasting efforts of Chavez in 1975 the Agricultural Labor Relations became a law in California. “Farmworkers are protected by union contracts, we have made progress in overcoming child labor, in overcoming miserable wages and working conditions, in overcoming sexual harassment of women workers, in overcoming discrimination in employment, in overcoming dangerous pesticides” (Chavez lines 106-109). This quote shows the improvement in farmworkers conditions due to union contracts, these advancements include protection against miserable wages, working conditions, sexual harassment of woman workers and in overcoming dangerous pesticides along with significantly more injustices farmworkers had faced on their environmental working conditions. Unions have played a crucial role in achieving these positive changes for farmworkers. In conclusion, the working conditions of

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