Si Se Puede! Yes We Can!

Fear can be extremely powerful, leaving those in the shadows feeling helpless and searching for answers.  But, what we found out on November 4th was that hope and optimism are much more powerful.  The people have spoken by casting their ballots in record numbers and the winner is: Barack Obama.  

People were dancing in the streets, weeping without caution and generally feeling intoxicated by the magnitude of this historic event.  So why was this presidential victory so significant? Have we apotheosized Obama to the point there is just too much collective weight on his shoulders?   

Here are a couple of reasons why this victory was  significant.  First, for every Latino, African American, American Indian, Asian American and any other minority group who has felt disenfranchised by our government, the most unbreakable institutional glass ceiling in America was shattered to pieces.  For those who felt that the dream of being President of the United States of America was the unattainable dream---there is now hope.  I can now look at my Mexican-American daughter and say:  "Mi hija, someday if you work really hard, you can be President of the United States"--and mean it.  For those who have been through the struggle there is a beacon of hope.  For those that have not been through the struggle--you may not understand. 

Second, this election demonstrates that "bottom-up" really does work.  Gone are the days of being "parented" by our government and accepting things as they are because we feel that we can't make a difference.  It took me my entire adult life to come to grips with the power of the vote.  I approached politics and the political process with cynicism because I honestly felt that my vote didn't really matter.  Those that were in power were going to preserve their power and influence and there wasn't much I could really do about it.   I remember having a conversation with a friend of mine who left the country to do political work in Bolivia.  My question to him was:  "What motivated you to leave the U.S. to organize in Bolivia?"  He looked at me, gathered his thoughts and said: "People in the U.S. will complain about paying $4 a gallon for gas, but do nothing about it."  "In Bolivia, people will take to the streets and take up arms if they have to for what they believe in."  Now, taking up arms is a little radical for someone like me who prefers Ghandian methods, but the point was well taken. "Don't complain if you're not gonna be part of the solution."

At minimum, this election has elevated the hopes and dreams of those who felt left behind by government.  President-Elect Barack Obama faces some steep challenges for sure.  Can he really change Washington?  Only time will tell.  One thing is for sure, he cannot do it without the same groundswell of concerned citizens that helped him get elected to office.  There is also a significant debt of gratitude that we must pay to Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, Malcolm X and all of the other trailblazers of the Civil Rights Movement who lit the incandescent flame that has guided us to greater equality.  We are not quite at the "mountain top" yet.  But, the panoramic view from where we currently stand is breathtaking to say the least.                 

The Plight of the Farm Worker

In the midst of a national housing crisis, what largely goes unnoticed is the deplorable, inhumane living conditions of the farm worker.  Our national focus remains the recent subprime mortgage snafu, while hundreds of agricultural laborers are denied the dignity of basic shelter for themselves and their families.  Many of these laborers who work tirelessly in grueling conditions are sleeping underneath trucks, in parking-lots or camping in the orchards.

Aside from the living conditions, these workers labor in triple-digit temperatures 10-12 hours a day so we can enjoy produce on our dinner tables.  In fact, a 63 year old mother of nine recently died from dehydration and heat stroke having endured back breaking labor in 111 degree heat. Her death marked the 6th heat related death in the fields in a 3 month period.

We cannot ignore these violations of basic human rights nor should we allow people to be flippant about a person's citizenship in the face of these conditions.  The right to safe drinking water, food and basic shelter should be afforded to EVERYONE regardless of age, gender, race or creed.  

During Hispanic Heritage month, take the time to research Cesar Chavez and his lasting legacy to improve the lives of the poorest and most powerless members of our workforce.  Visit the United Farm Workers website to see how you can make a difference to improve the plight of agricultural workers.  But most importantly, when eating your fruits and vegetables at the dinner table, be mindful that there is exploitation and injustice happening in the fields--and we can do something about it.