¡Sí Se Puede!
Funny that the most recent playlist I shared before this one happens to be inspired by my current job and this one from a previous one. Once upon a Time I worked for the Migrant Education Program under the San Diego County Office of Education. I have so many special memories of these days and my experiences gained during my 10 years as a Migrant Services Aid. The work we did was important, rewarding and sometimes heart breaking. My respect for the agricultural workers who risk and sacrifice so much to make a living and supply this country and others with our life giving harvests.These hardest of workers and their children are held in high esteem and I am proud to have been a part of a movement and employment to have had a positive impact on so many of their lives. I believe they deserve so much more and am happy to see the improvements are still happening and hopeful this will continue.
When I was a high school student my friend was very much involved in the MECHA club. I attended meetings with her and suddenly I was learning about unsafe and unjust treatment of farm workers and their dismal working conditions. Soon after we were participating in grape boycotts, going on field trips to conferences, concerts and more eye opening activities. Senior year I was involved in much more student activism but this specific cause seems so transformative and special because I ended up back in the Migrant world as a career in adulthood. Being a part of the Migrant Ed program was a beautiful time. The team became like a family, working passionately together and celebrating each other’s personal milestones together. Sharing meals and outings outside of work was a wonderful bonus. So many of my coworkers were so very artistic, I love how my appreciation for Mexican and Mexican-American culture grew during these days. César Chávez and Dolores Huerta were heroes whose names were spoken just about daily. Most of us were lucky to have met or at least listened to Dolores Huerta speak live at a convention or conference or two. The talented artist, Simón Silvia’s paintings or prints hung proudly in just about every office alongside those of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo and many others. Life was very colorful, flavorful, happy and enriching at Migrant Education.
Of course, when working closely with the hardworking migrant families in a social work capacity there will be no shortage of serious and often devastating circumstances to be faced. I remember hearing of the sweet little girl who arrived at our school after her beautiful brown eyes witnessed her mother pass away in the desert on the treacherous journey to arrive in the land of the free. Many more harrowing stories but even more success stories, accomplishments, and big achievements. We celebrated with these kids as if they were our own. Every graduation, college acceptance, job offer, so much pride and joy for these students.
I was very happy to take my children to César Chávez Plaza in Downtown Sacramento and show them the beautiful sculpture, César Chávez Memorial by Lisa Reinertson. I recommend you make a visit if ever in our state capital. On the way, have a listen to the playlist I put together in honor of this activist, pacifist, advocate and defender of human rights on his birthday, 31st of March. Forever grateful for his work and teachings. !Sí Se Puede!
Colores- Los Lobos and Friends
El Picket Sign- El Teatro Campesino
Strawberry Fields Forever- La Santa Cecilia
Llegando a los Files- El Teatro Campesino
Farm Worker’s Song- Joe Glazer
It’s Movement Time- Las Cafeteras
Black Man- Stevie Wonder
Yo Estoy Con Chavez- Los Lobos and Friends
Cesar Chavez- Los Tigers del Norte
Trabajador Trabajadora- Las Cafeteras
The Migrant Worker- Jim Croce
Deportees- Argo Guthrie
Ice el Hielo- La Santa Cecilia
https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/si-se-puede/pl.u-xkoWf0J87B
