The article highlights the impact of the short-handle hoe, known as 'El Cortito,' which kept farmworkers in the Salinas Valley stooped over for long hours, leading to numerous health issues. It recounts how farmworkers fought against this oppressive tool until a landmark case led to its eventual ban. The June 10 commemoration marks 50 years since the case's resolution, serving as a powerful reminder of collective action. Workers, along with attorney Maurice 'Mo' Jourdane and labor leader Cesar Chavez, worked tirelessly to challenge unjust working conditions, paving the way for future generations to confront similar injustices.
"The use of 'El Cortito' was not about efficiency or productivity. It was about control, keeping workers stooped to ensure constant supervision—an assertion of dominance in the fields."
"The June 10 commemoration celebrates not just the end of 'El Cortito,' but the united front of farmworkers, lawyers, and local leaders against harmful conditions in agriculture."
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