I went to college during the boycott, it took me 20 years to start considering grapes again. Now, I know they are just sugar water with a little fiber so I no longer buy them.
I arrived in California at the height of the grape boycott, and with a lot of local activity around it on campus and over in Watsonville. Though I love grapes, I didn't eat a single one until years after the boycott ended. I just couldn't bring myself to do it.
I remember overhearing my parents arguing with my older sister about the strike (she was in high school at the time, and was refusing to eat grapes). My dad was a union man (a machinist), but this was the midwest, and everyone was still worried about the "Communists". It seems absurd now, but it was still a thing in the late 60s, at least in our part of the country. I remember not being sure if it was ok to eat either grapes or iceberg lettuce for years afterward.
I'm pretty sure that it was this strike that had my parents boycotting the wines of E&J Gallo.
My parents also boycotted Nestle due to their b/s in Africa with nursing mothers and Nestle pushing formula. They just kinda liked boycotting things. It's a bit of a family thing. An 'uncle' of mine (my Mum's cousin) is a priest in Winter Park Florida; he helped with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers Fair Foods Program to get the workers a single penny more per pound of tomatoes.
Eric I'm so glad you wrote this up, now. The struggle of the UFW in the late sixties is the first labor story I ever learned in detail, including the Teamster's despicable deal to steal away the workers as a Company Union once the UFW had finally forced a representation vote on the growers, after so much blood and struggle. That bit of history has become highly relevant with Sean O'Brien's recent attempts to align the Teamsters with Trump. Down with scab unions!
OT: Pro-Trump electors preparing to fuck with election.
Marc Elias:
“I think we are going to see mass refusals to certify the election” in November, says Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias. “Everything we are seeing about this election is that the other side is more organized, more ruthless, and more prepared."
They can't claim the voting machines or ballots are rigged ... their fuckery in 2020 forced every state to harden their voting equipment. So, why bother attacking that when we can just refuse to "certify" the election?
But ... if all the red states refuse to "certify" their elections by the deadline, that means the blue states' electors will be counted exclusively? Or am I missing something?
I'm shocked, shocked, that the people who attempted a coup in 2021 would attempt one in 2025. Didn't they, as the great Suzie Concerned sez, "learn their lesson"?
Who could EVER question the integrity of 66 myths written in 3 languages on 3 different continents over a period of 1500 years and subjected to a number of politically motivated edits?
I don't disagree. There is research going about the possible links between human consciousness and Quantum Entanglement/Enigma and it is very interesting.
There needs to be a Help Squad you can call up, where when one of those assholes starts to throw bullshit around the room, they come and put the person in a van and put them in a forest, with a tent, a sleeping bag, a jar of water, and some snacks.
When you factor in that the Bastard Paul lived after Jesus, never met him, and only briefly met 2 apostles, it makes you wonder why the moral scold's letters are even part of the bible.
One of my first political actions - at the age of 12? Was participating in a UFW street action - started in a park in L.A. around dawn with a big gathering/breakfast - this young Anglo girl by herself in a huge crowd of mostly latinae folks - and then we were sent out in teams to stand on street corners of busy streets waving signs and building support for the boycott.
I'm still a little amazed that my parents let me do this thing alone, but yay for politically aware parents who encourage civic engagement!
Professor Loomis, thanks for yet another enlightened, no warts ignored article about an American labor hero. Chavez had his faults, it's true, but he did so much good.
I went to college during the boycott, it took me 20 years to start considering grapes again. Now, I know they are just sugar water with a little fiber so I no longer buy them.
Ta, Erik. I spent YEARS without a single grape crossing my lips, and I love grapes. Solidarity forever.
Sorry to learn that Cesar Chavez wasn't perfect. But I _still_ won't eat grapes, for some reason!
Time for a desperately needed brain cleanser.
https://substack.com/@hoovervilles/note/c-63709314?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=2lsb5b
Timmeh!
I arrived in California at the height of the grape boycott, and with a lot of local activity around it on campus and over in Watsonville. Though I love grapes, I didn't eat a single one until years after the boycott ended. I just couldn't bring myself to do it.
I remember overhearing my parents arguing with my older sister about the strike (she was in high school at the time, and was refusing to eat grapes). My dad was a union man (a machinist), but this was the midwest, and everyone was still worried about the "Communists". It seems absurd now, but it was still a thing in the late 60s, at least in our part of the country. I remember not being sure if it was ok to eat either grapes or iceberg lettuce for years afterward.
I'm pretty sure that it was this strike that had my parents boycotting the wines of E&J Gallo.
My parents also boycotted Nestle due to their b/s in Africa with nursing mothers and Nestle pushing formula. They just kinda liked boycotting things. It's a bit of a family thing. An 'uncle' of mine (my Mum's cousin) is a priest in Winter Park Florida; he helped with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers Fair Foods Program to get the workers a single penny more per pound of tomatoes.
I remember when that single penny was going to raise the cost of Taco Bell well beyond what anyone could afford.
What transparent bullshit. There's hardly any tomato on their food anyway, much less a pound.
If you're looking for another corporate farm to boycott this is a good place to start
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-05-13/wonderful-sues-to-halt-california-farmworker-unionization-law
Eric I'm so glad you wrote this up, now. The struggle of the UFW in the late sixties is the first labor story I ever learned in detail, including the Teamster's despicable deal to steal away the workers as a Company Union once the UFW had finally forced a representation vote on the growers, after so much blood and struggle. That bit of history has become highly relevant with Sean O'Brien's recent attempts to align the Teamsters with Trump. Down with scab unions!
AOC v. Vivek: Who Will Win?
https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1817937493859123222?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1817937493859123222%7Ctwgr%5E123c2c270c6a6c7ad2570642b2d677c67043dfbc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.democraticunderground.com%2F100219256578
You don't even need to read the tweet to know, LOL
In Wisconsin, we have a great farm worker organizer in Jesus Salas. His book Obreros UNIDOs is worth the read.
OT: Pro-Trump electors preparing to fuck with election.
Marc Elias:
“I think we are going to see mass refusals to certify the election” in November, says Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias. “Everything we are seeing about this election is that the other side is more organized, more ruthless, and more prepared."
Link to Rolling Stone Paywalled: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-swing-state-officials-election-deniers-1235069692/
Shit.
They can't claim the voting machines or ballots are rigged ... their fuckery in 2020 forced every state to harden their voting equipment. So, why bother attacking that when we can just refuse to "certify" the election?
But ... if all the red states refuse to "certify" their elections by the deadline, that means the blue states' electors will be counted exclusively? Or am I missing something?
In AZ, the law states that an elector who refuses to cast the required vote shall be dismissed, and a new elector appointed.
Come at me, bro!
I'm shocked, shocked, that the people who attempted a coup in 2021 would attempt one in 2025. Didn't they, as the great Suzie Concerned sez, "learn their lesson"?
It will work if it's close.
Far less likely to work if it's not.
I present a new Schrödinger's paradox.
Which bible is the right one?
You don't know untill you open the box and observe it.
https://substack.com/@hoovervilles/note/c-63698024?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=2lsb5b
Who could EVER question the integrity of 66 myths written in 3 languages on 3 different continents over a period of 1500 years and subjected to a number of politically motivated edits?
I believe that there is a power of love in this Universe, and that is what I call God.
If you do not believe in "a god," but you believe still in love for people, being happy, and working things out, that's still the best.
We must love one another. There is no other way.
I don't disagree. There is research going about the possible links between human consciousness and Quantum Entanglement/Enigma and it is very interesting.
Thank you, Birb.
Fundigelicals disagree. Hate is their only way.
There needs to be a Help Squad you can call up, where when one of those assholes starts to throw bullshit around the room, they come and put the person in a van and put them in a forest, with a tent, a sleeping bag, a jar of water, and some snacks.
Those nice young men in their clean white coats should take them away.
Mean Xtian: "The Lord says you can never enjoy sex or read or-"
You: "Hello, Help Squad?"
(They show up)
HS: "Okay sir, come with us, you need some pajama time"
When you factor in that the Bastard Paul lived after Jesus, never met him, and only briefly met 2 apostles, it makes you wonder why the moral scold's letters are even part of the bible.
One of my first political actions - at the age of 12? Was participating in a UFW street action - started in a park in L.A. around dawn with a big gathering/breakfast - this young Anglo girl by herself in a huge crowd of mostly latinae folks - and then we were sent out in teams to stand on street corners of busy streets waving signs and building support for the boycott.
I'm still a little amazed that my parents let me do this thing alone, but yay for politically aware parents who encourage civic engagement!
Farmboy here, and my oldest’s first concert was Los Lobos. This resonates. Thank you.
OT: The Irish novelist Edna O'Brien has gone to the Lands Beyond.
Rest in peace.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c51yv5pde3qo
Professor Loomis, thanks for yet another enlightened, no warts ignored article about an American labor hero. Chavez had his faults, it's true, but he did so much good.