Philip Vera Cruz: A Personal History of Filipino Immigrants and the Farmworkers Movement, Third Edition

Filipino farmworkers sat down in the grape fields of Delano, California, in 1965 and began the strike that brought about a dramatic turn in the long history of farm labor struggles in California. Their efforts led to the creation of the United Farm Workers union under Cesar Chavez, with Philip Vera Cruz as its vice-president and highest-ranking Filipino officer.Philip Vera Cruz (1904–1994) embodied the experiences of the manong generation, an enormous wave of Filipino immigrants who came to the United States between 1910 and 1930. Instead of better opportunities, they found racial discrimination, deplorable living conditions, and oppressive labor practices. In his deeply reflective and thought-provoking oral memoir, Vera Cruz explores the toll these conditions took on both families and individuals.Craig Scharlin and Lilia V. Villanueva met Philip Vera Cruz in 1974 as volunteers in the construction of Agbayani Village, the United Farm Workers retirement complex in Delano, California. This oral history, first published in 1992, is the product of hundreds of hours of interviews. Elaine H. Kim teaches Asian American studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and is the author of Asian American Literature: An Introduction to the Writings and Their Social Context. Filipino Farm Workers Sat Down In The Grape Fields Of Delano, California, In 1965 And Began The Strike That Brought About A Dramatic Turn In The Long History Of Farm Labor Struggles In California. Their Efforts Led To The Creation Of The United Farm Workers Union Under Cesar Chavez, With Philip Vera Cruz As Its Vice-president And Highest-ranking Filipino Officer. Philip Vera Cruz (1904-1994) Embodied The Experiences Of The Manong Generation, An Enormous Wave Of Filipino Immigrants Who Came To The United States Between 1910 And 1930. Instead Of Better Opportunities, They Found Racial Discrimination, Deplorable Living Conditions, And Oppressive Labor Practices. In His Deeply Reflective And Thought-provoking Oral Memoir, Vera Cruz Explores The Toll These Conditions Took On Both Families And Individuals. With Clear-sighted Intellect And Honesty About Himself And The Society In Which He Struggled, This Exceptional Leader Examines The Difficulties Of Cross-racial Labor Organizing, While Revealing The Unacknowledged Role Of Filipino Laborers In The Creation Of The United Farm Workers Union.--jacket. Foreword / Elaine H. Kim -- Introduction / Craig Scharlin, Lilia V. Villanueva -- Still Good At Sitting Down -- A Matter Of Survival -- The Most Important $2 In My Life -- So Close To The Good Life -- I Sacrificed Too Much ... -- A Minority Within A Minority -- The Movement Must Go Beyond Its Leaders -- Pounding Me With Their Anger -- My Continual Struggle -- A Golden Foundation. Craig Scharlin And Lilia V. Villanueva ; With A New Foreword By Elaine Kim. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 166-167). Filipino farmworkers sat down in the grape fields of Delano, California, in 1965 and began the strike that brought about a dramatic turn in the long history of farm labor struggles in California. Their efforts led to the creation of the United Farm Workers union under Cesar Chavez, with Philip Vera Cruz as its vice-president and highest-ranking Filipino officer. Philip Vera Cruz (19041994) embodied the experiences of the manong generation, an enormous wave of Filipino immigrants who came to the United States between 1910 and 1930. Instead of better opportunities, they found racial discrimination, deplorable living conditions, and oppressive labor practices. In his deeply reflective and thought-provoking oral memoir, Vera Cruz explores the toll these conditions took on both families and individuals. Craig Scharlin and Lilia V. Villanueva met Philip Vera Cruz in 1974 as volunteers in the construction of Agbayani Village, the United Farm Workers retirement complex in Delano, California. This oral history, first published in 1992, is the product of hundreds of hours of interviews. Elaine H. Kim teaches Asian American studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and is the author of Asian American An Introduction to the Writings and Their Social Context . "Filipino farm workers sat down in the grape fields of Delano, California, in 1965 and began the strike that brought about a dramatic turn in the long history of farm labor struggles in California. Their efforts led to the creation of the United Farm Workers union under Cesar Chavez, with Philip Vera Cruz as its vice-president and highest-ranking Filipino officer.". "Philip Vera Cruz (1904-1994) embodied the experiences of the manong generation, an enormous wave of Filipino immigrants who came to the United States between 1910 and 1930. Instead of better opportunities, they found racial discrimination, deplorable living conditions, and oppressive labor practices. In his deeply reflective and thought-provoking oral memoir, Vera Cruz explores the toll these conditions took on both families and individuals. With clear-sighted intellect and honesty about himself and the society in which he struggled, this exceptional leader examines the difficulties of cross-racial labor organizing, while revealing the unacknowledged role of Filipino laborers in the creation of the United Farm Workers union."--BOOK JACKET. ForewordIntroduction1) Still good at sitting down2) A matter of survival3) The most important $2 in my life4) So close to the good life5) I sacrificed too much . . .6) A minority within a minority7) The movement must go beyond its leaders8) Pounding me with their anger9) My continual struggle10) A golden foundationNotesSelected Bibliography