Sunday, October 20, 2013

Dolores Huerta

Huelga- (English translation) to strike or to go on strike

Life and Career


Dolores Huerta, was born on April 10, 1930, in Dawson, New Mexico. Huerta grew up in Stockton, California, around there were large farm areas which Latino immigrants worked. Growing up her parents instilled a work ethic without boundaries as she was encouraged to do anything she desired to do. Later on she received her Teaching degree from Delta Community College where she then went on to work as a teacher. Her career path was derailed as she could not stand for the poor living conditions of immigrant workers children. This kicked off her career as an activist trying to fight for the rights of immigrant workers creating such organizations as the Community Service Organization  and the United Farm Workers of America. Today Huerta still continues to help fight the causes she once started, trying to improve the lives of immigrant workers and others.


WOMANIST 

1. From womanish.  (Opp. of “girlish,” i.e. frivolous, irresponsible, not serious.)  A black feminist or feminist of color.  From the black folk expression of mothers to female children, “you acting womanish,” i.e., like a woman.  Usually referring to outrageous, audacious, courageous or willful behavior.  Wanting to know more and in greater depth than is considered “good” for one.  Interested in grown up doings.  Acting grown up.  Being grown up.  Interchangeable with another black folk expression: “You trying to be grown.”  Responsible.  In charge. Serious.
2. Also: A woman who loves other women, sexually and/or nonsexually.  Appreciates and prefers women’s culture, women’s emotional flexibility (values tears as natural counterbalance of laughter), and women’s strength.  Sometimes loves individual men, sexually and/or nonsexually.  Committed to survival and wholeness of entire people, male andfemale.  Not a separatist, except periodically, for health.  Traditionally a universalist, as in: “Mama, why are we brown, pink, and yellow, and our cousins are white, beige and black?” Ans. “Well, you know the colored race is just like a flower garden, with every color flower represented.”  Traditionally capable, as in: “Mama, I’m walking to Canada and I’m taking you and a bunch of other slaves with me.” Reply: “It wouldn’t be the first time.”
3. Loves music.  Loves dance.  Loves the moon. Loves the Spirit. Loves love and food and roundness.  Loves struggle. Loves the Folk.  Loves herself. Regardless. 
4. Womanist is to feminist as purple is to lavender.






The United Farm Workers of America was founded in 1962, the largest farm workers union in the country.







“Among poor people, there's not any question about women being strong -- even stronger than men -- they work in the fields right along with the men. When your survival is at stake, you don't have these questions about yourself like middle-class women do.”

-Dolores Huerta


Artist Statement


                   Dolores Huerta and the accomplishments in her life time embody the term womanism.  The quote she stated above proves the point, explaining women of color face different agendas than other groups of women and she recognized it very early on.  Huerta not only crossed gender barriers but spoke out at a time when great injustice were being done towards a group of people, were women did not have a voice in the matter. Being a Mexican -American catholic she did not let her heritage nor religion define the way she lived her life. One can tell as she was married several times, as well had eleven children and still managed to do the great accomplishments in her lifetime. The notion that women had to fulfill the stereotype of being only a mother or a wife did not apply to Huerta. She was not the traditional Mexican women, she wanted to be a leader not a housewife . She grew up with these same set of values  in her household she was not treated different because she was a woman nor did she have to partake in traditional woman chores, such as cooking, cleaning etc. Following those same   understating the differences between race and class have had in a way defined   this country, it showed during the 1960’s immigrant workers were not getting the proper treatment they deserved.  She believed everybody should be treated fairly no matter what profession, race, gender or class. It was in her nature to help others; she understood in doing so, no recompense would come from it.  Though wanting to help is not enough for within the same circle of protesters and organizers, she had less of an impact and voice than if she would have been a man. Within the circles protest and activism she had to make her own lane as well, in many cases fighting for the rights and issues she believed in, even with her own co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association Cesar Chavez.  She was opinionated and wanted to be heard in the front-lines  not simply help organize the movements behind her male counter parts but actually lead them. Dolores Huerta represents strength in women it is the main reason she is looked up upon and deserves the recognition for it. It is not her sex appeal or performance in stereotypical traditional women roles she is looked up for, but the  complete opposite to those roles . In American society is really easy to get lost in the glamour and beauty we hold up for women , this notion were women must “look” and “act”  a certain way. If acting or looking the part does not work for women getting recognition, the next step is to over sexualize, non which refers to more than women of color. This is the reason why Dolores Huerta is such an important women figure in our history because she does not define this stereotype. Her voice and reason is what allowed her to be such an important figure today by creating multiple organizations such as the United Farm Working Union and embracing the role of being a dominant figure in the fight concerning segregation and labor laws involving Latinos. Huerta is an example of a womanist , she believed and lived her life understanding she was a woman of color, wanted equality amongst gender groups, as well for women to stop playing the traditional roles, for they were the fore front of their homes.












Work Cited





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