A Pivotal Moment in Labor History

In 1965, Filipino and Mexican American farmworkers forged a historic alliance to strike against California grape growers. This movement, led by Filipino labor organizer Larry Itliong and Cesar Chavez of the National Farm Workers Association, remains a cornerstone of American labor history. Recently, the legacy of this era has been revisited as states and counties observed Farmworkers Day, a holiday recognized in California.

The Filipino Experience in American Agriculture

Between the 1920s and 1960s, tens of thousands of Filipinos migrated to the U.S. to work in farms, factories, and canneries. These men, often referred to as “manong,” faced significant systemic discrimination, including low wages, poor housing, and social isolation due to anti-miscegenation laws. According to Dennis Arguelles of the National Parks Conservation Association, the formation of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee was a desperate act of survival and a quest for dignity.

The Delano Grape Strike

On September 8, 1965, Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz led the committee to vote for a strike in Delano, California, demanding federal minimum wage. While Chavez was initially hesitant to challenge powerful agribusiness interests, he eventually joined forces with the Filipino workers to form the United Farm Workers. The resulting five-year strike fundamentally changed the industry through collective bargaining.

Reframing the Narrative

Recent allegations of abuse against Chavez have led activists to caution against the deification of historical figures. Dillon Delvo, executive director of Little Manila Rising, emphasizes the need to center the trauma of victims in these discussions. Meanwhile, some officials, including the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, have discussed renaming Cesar Chavez Day to better honor the contributions of Filipino workers, such as shifting the date to September 8.

Highlighting Unsung Heroes

Efforts to provide a more comprehensive history are gaining momentum. Productions like Larry the Musical: An American Journey aim to tell the story through the lens of Filipino leadership and the often-overlooked women who supported the movement. Academic experts like Vernadette Gonzalez of UC Berkeley argue that it is crucial to recognize the contributions of women and other marginalized figures who were frequently left out of official meeting minutes and historical records.