By Antonio Torres
She calls for a fight to end hatred and discrimination against agricultural workers in the Central Valley, says the social activist
As a woman, Dolores Huerta has always suffered discrimination
Bakersfield, CA.- At 94 years of age, Dolores Huerta has been an example of the social, racial and labor struggle since her beginnings in the Central Valley of California and then throughout the state and throughout the country, forged from a young age she sought the well-being of others, she stressed that as a woman and of Mexican roots, She has always suffered from discrimination, and that is why she decided to fight for people’s rights and racial defense.
In an exclusive interview with the newspaper El Popular and when asked if she has ever suffered hatred and discrimination, Dolores Huerta, who is co-founder of the United Farm Workers Association UFW, is one of the most influential labor activists of the twentieth century and leader of the Chicano civil rights movement, she said that as a “woman and being a person of Mexican roots, because all my life we can say that I have received discrimination, as well as many of us.”
Born in Dawson, New Mexico on April 10, 1930 and later living in the Central Valley of California, she realized, from a young age, that discrimination against farmworkers existed and still exists and therefore asks that people unite to demand that their racial and labor rights be respected.
Activist Dolores Huerta said that people dedicated to field tasks are essential “we have essential workers who are firefighters, police officers. Farm workers are the most essential jobs, because they feed the police and the firefighters and all of us, but they don’t get the same salaries and benefits that a policeman, a firefighter gets, no, so we all still have a lot of work” to get that.
He also spoke out that through social struggle and the vote, more guarantees can be achieved for the human rights that minority groups living throughout the Central Valley and the state of California so desperately need.
The conversation with Huerta took place within the framework of the meeting of more than 100 residents of the Central Valley between the ages of 18 and 80 who participated in an annual event that trains them to be community leaders by searching for important issues before the elections held at the University of California, Bakersfield.
At her Foundation, Dolores Huerta has a mandate to passionately advocate for social and racial justice, and focuses on empowering marginalized communities through grassroots organizing, civic engagement, and educational initiatives. By standing up for the rights of underrepresented populations, it strives to create a more equitable and inclusive society for all.
Based in the city of Bakersfield, she says that there is still much to be done to improve living conditions and eradicate hatred and discrimination, but only through the participation of everyone in moments of election can it be achieved, she recalled the thought of former President Abraham Lincoln. “President Lincoln said that the ballot is stronger and has more force than a bullet.”
Despite her advanced age, Dolores Huerta said that “thank God that I feel in good health, I am losing my voice. We can say no, I don’t have such a strong voice anymore, I don’t have my body as strong as it used to be, but my mind is still going on and I can still keep doing some things, especially trying to work on the policies that we want to change and the laws that we want to change.”
The conversation with the defender of racial and social rights concluded when Dolores Huerta, with her kind smile, asked young people to dare to change and fight against hatred and discrimination in society.
It should be remembered that the Office of Racial Justice is already in place, which supports the California Department of Justice’s mandate to promote the civil rights of all Californians by assisting with new and ongoing efforts to combat hate and prejudice.
In the meantime, the community should be aware that Kern County offers support to older adults through Kern County Adult and Senior Services, 5357 Truxtun Ave. (just east of Mohawk) Bakersfield, CA 93309. Information and referral program for seniors. In addition, there is a 24-hour hotline to support older people in case of abuse, hatred or discrimination. To report cases in Kern County: call toll-free at (800) 277-7866 or (661) 868-1006.
On the other hand, the recommendation given by experts to avoid hatred and discrimination is to immediately report these expressions of hate and discrimination. Hate crimes can occur unexpectedly and for this people must know how to react and who to turn to for help, in case of emergency call 911 or go to a local hospital if you need immediate attention. The California Attorney General’s Victim Services Unit provides crime victims and their families with support and information throughout the criminal process. For more information, call (877) 433-9069 or visit oag.ca.gov/hatecrimes.
It should also be known that California law prohibits law enforcement authorities from asking people, including those who report or are victims of possible crimes, about their immigration status. Also present are the local authorities of this city, Bakersfield Police Department, 661-427-7111; Kern County Sheriff Office at 661-861-3110; or anonymous calls to 661-322-4040. Also available to the community is the league, https://capiaa.ca.gov/stop- the-hate Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA).
“This resource is supported in whole or in part by funds provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.”
