"The renaming happened swiftly. Lawmakers called the change 'long overdue' as if we are rectifying a wrong that should have been fixed years ago. This incident reinforces how farmworkers have been marginalized, discriminated against, and overlooked for centuries in the United States since the time enslaved people did most farm work."
"Farm labor is hard to count because workers include farmers, their family members and hired workers who are often seasonal employees. A lot of them lack proper authorization to work in the country, so that makes them harder to account for."
"Plenty of other industries hire seasonal workers and hire undocumented workers, and yet they are counted. Instead, separating farm work from other categories makes it easier for employers to exploit workers and for consumers to build up a protective wall of ignorance."
"The graduates in regalia, contrasting with the lush green of fruit trees, were both visually and emotionally striking because farm work and education come off as incompatible, as opposites. The images conveyed the message that leaving the fields equates to progress, but those images also conveyed gratitude for parents who taught their children what hard work looks."
Farmworkers in the U.S. have faced marginalization and discrimination for centuries. Recent legislative changes are seen as overdue attempts to rectify this. Despite hopes for a lasting tradition honoring farmworkers, skepticism remains due to the ongoing exploitation and lack of recognition of their contributions. Farm labor is difficult to quantify, especially with many undocumented workers. The contrast between farm work and education highlights societal perceptions, where leaving the fields is viewed as progress, yet gratitude for the hard work of parents remains evident.
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