Connected Struggles: Labor and the Chicano Movement in San Diego, CA 1965-1980
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Category
Social Sciences/Humanities
Abstract/Artist Statement
The period between 1965 and 1985 saw the use of several strike actions in San Diego in addition to demonstrations for racial equality in what would become known as “the Chicano Movement”. Due to systemic racial inequality, San Diegans of Chicano descent are more likely to be members of the working class. This places the interest in improving the socioeconomic status of the community in line with the work of organized labor associations which seek to improve socio-economic conditions for workers in a particular trade. The combined desire to elevate the working classes means that collaborations such as those between the Mexican American organizers and the United Farm Workers to support the Delano Grape strike were in line with mutual goals. With explorations of these collaborations with the UFW in extant literature, it provides an expectation that other collaborations would exist between organized labor and Chicano Movement organizers. San Diego is home to a vibrant Chicano community and Chicano organizing during the period of study. San Diego also has several strikes and boycotts during this period, from manufacturing and cannery to boycotts of Imperial Valley agricultural products.
Archival research provides the backbone of original research material for this project. The Chicano History archives at San Diego State University and The University of California – San Diego provide a wealth of material related to the history of San Diego itself through archives of minor and major circulation newspaper publications and periodicals in addition to special collections related directly to the Chicano Movement. These archives include personal collections of papers and ephemera held by major members of the movement such as the Hernan Baca special collection at UCSD or the Chicano Movement Collection at SDSU.
The historiography currently focuses on San Diego in the Border History and Migration History context with regards to the Chicano movement. Extant scholarship on Chicano Activism and Labor in San Diego focuses on cannery strikes in the earlier part of the century and the UFW boycotts. Investigation into connecting trade unionism with the Chicano Movement exists focused on Los Angeles and Ventura County. Investigation into San Diego specifically remains focused on the Farm Workers boycotts.
The impetus for social research of all kinds lies in the ability to believe that knowledge can give us the tools to improve the conditions of our communities. Social research in history allows us to extract the lessons of the past, find blueprints, spot mistakes and learn so that we can create more effective strategies to advocate for our communities. A focus on the marginalized allows for a liberation focused epistemology that elevates the knowledge held by these groups. A presentation on these issues will additionally expand the understanding of marginalized people and promote critical understanding of systemic racism as well as ways to combat it within the audience.
Connected Struggles: Labor and the Chicano Movement in San Diego, CA 1965-1980
UC 327
The period between 1965 and 1985 saw the use of several strike actions in San Diego in addition to demonstrations for racial equality in what would become known as “the Chicano Movement”. Due to systemic racial inequality, San Diegans of Chicano descent are more likely to be members of the working class. This places the interest in improving the socioeconomic status of the community in line with the work of organized labor associations which seek to improve socio-economic conditions for workers in a particular trade. The combined desire to elevate the working classes means that collaborations such as those between the Mexican American organizers and the United Farm Workers to support the Delano Grape strike were in line with mutual goals. With explorations of these collaborations with the UFW in extant literature, it provides an expectation that other collaborations would exist between organized labor and Chicano Movement organizers. San Diego is home to a vibrant Chicano community and Chicano organizing during the period of study. San Diego also has several strikes and boycotts during this period, from manufacturing and cannery to boycotts of Imperial Valley agricultural products.
Archival research provides the backbone of original research material for this project. The Chicano History archives at San Diego State University and The University of California – San Diego provide a wealth of material related to the history of San Diego itself through archives of minor and major circulation newspaper publications and periodicals in addition to special collections related directly to the Chicano Movement. These archives include personal collections of papers and ephemera held by major members of the movement such as the Hernan Baca special collection at UCSD or the Chicano Movement Collection at SDSU.
The historiography currently focuses on San Diego in the Border History and Migration History context with regards to the Chicano movement. Extant scholarship on Chicano Activism and Labor in San Diego focuses on cannery strikes in the earlier part of the century and the UFW boycotts. Investigation into connecting trade unionism with the Chicano Movement exists focused on Los Angeles and Ventura County. Investigation into San Diego specifically remains focused on the Farm Workers boycotts.
The impetus for social research of all kinds lies in the ability to believe that knowledge can give us the tools to improve the conditions of our communities. Social research in history allows us to extract the lessons of the past, find blueprints, spot mistakes and learn so that we can create more effective strategies to advocate for our communities. A focus on the marginalized allows for a liberation focused epistemology that elevates the knowledge held by these groups. A presentation on these issues will additionally expand the understanding of marginalized people and promote critical understanding of systemic racism as well as ways to combat it within the audience.