The article commemorates the 50th anniversary of Cal-OSHA's ban on the short-handled hoe, deemed an unsafe tool by the California Supreme Court. This ruling, influenced by César Chávez's activism, aimed to protect agricultural workers from severe injuries linked to its use. Artist Carlos Pérez reflects on his painful childhood experiences while using this tool, underscoring the physical toll it took on young workers. While an Instagram post by Luis Alejo marked the occasion, the anniversary highlights a legacy of positive change in occupational safety laws.
"One of the things I remember, especially when I was doing sugar beets, is that I would lay down on the ditches on the road because my back was killing me. I was only 12 years old."
"We didn't know where we were going to go or how much we were getting paid. 'You're going to get $2 an hour,' they'd say. That was great."
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