Randy Shaw
Beyond the Fields
Cesar Chavez, the UFW, and the Struggle for Justice in the 21st Century
$24.95, £16.95 hardcover
9780520251076
Available Now
368 pages, 6 x 9 inches, 19 b/w photographs
November 2008, Available worldwide
Also in: Sociology of Labor; Latino Studies
November 2008, Available worldwide
Also in: Sociology of Labor; Latino Studies
Cesar Chavez is the most prominent Latino in United States history books, and much has been written about Chavez and the United Farm Worker's heyday in the 1960s and '70s. But left untold has been their ongoing impact on 21st century social justice movements. Beyond the Fields unearths this legacy, and describes how Chavez and the UFW's imprint can be found in the modern reshaping of the American labor movement, the building of Latino political power, the transformation of Los Angeles and California politics, the fight for environmental justice, and the burgeoning national movement for immigrant rights. Many of the ideas, tactics, and strategies that Chavez and the UFW initiated or revived—including the boycott, the fast, clergy-labor partnerships and door-to-door voter outreach—are now so commonplace that their roots in the farmworkers' movement is forgotten.
This powerful book also describes how the UFW became the era's leading incubator of young activist talent, creating a generation of skilled alumni who went on to play critical roles in progressive campaigns. UFW volunteers and staff were dedicated to furthering economic justice, and many devoted their post-UFW lives working for social change. When Barack Obama adopted "Yes We Can" as his 2008 campaign theme, he confirmed that the spirit of "Si Se Puede" has never been stronger, and that it still provides the clearest roadmap for achieving greater social and economic justice in the United States.
This powerful book also describes how the UFW became the era's leading incubator of young activist talent, creating a generation of skilled alumni who went on to play critical roles in progressive campaigns. UFW volunteers and staff were dedicated to furthering economic justice, and many devoted their post-UFW lives working for social change. When Barack Obama adopted "Yes We Can" as his 2008 campaign theme, he confirmed that the spirit of "Si Se Puede" has never been stronger, and that it still provides the clearest roadmap for achieving greater social and economic justice in the United States.
"Shaw's book provides valuable history to guide activists in the battles to come, and is an inspiring read."—Talking Union
"Shaw's book is the product of extensive research, and it's invaluable for anyone interested in the evolution of unionization over the past forty years."—The Washington Monthly
"Shaw does a stellar job of writing the history of the UFW and its key figures. . . . Shaw's timely look back at the farmworker movement reminds us what solidarity and sacrifice mean, offering both lessons learned and strategies that can still work for us."—Colorlines: Race Culture Action
"Shaw examines the enduring influence of the United Farm Workers' model of grassroots organization, which he pointedly credits with the majority of labor's successes since the 1960s and a wellspring of 21st-century movements for democratic rights."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"A useful resource for anyone interested in organizing, activism, or social movements -- whether because the Obama campaign has made these things freshly relevant or due to a longer-standing interest."—Daily Kos
"Shaw's book is the product of extensive research, and it's invaluable for anyone interested in the evolution of unionization over the past forty years."—The Washington Monthly
"Shaw does a stellar job of writing the history of the UFW and its key figures. . . . Shaw's timely look back at the farmworker movement reminds us what solidarity and sacrifice mean, offering both lessons learned and strategies that can still work for us."—Colorlines: Race Culture Action
"Shaw examines the enduring influence of the United Farm Workers' model of grassroots organization, which he pointedly credits with the majority of labor's successes since the 1960s and a wellspring of 21st-century movements for democratic rights."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"A useful resource for anyone interested in organizing, activism, or social movements -- whether because the Obama campaign has made these things freshly relevant or due to a longer-standing interest."—Daily Kos
"An important, stunningly original, and forcefully argued book."—Ruth Milkman, Director of the UCLA Institute of Industrial Relations and author of L.A. Story: Immigrant Workers and the Future of the U.S. Labor Movement
"The most powerful social earthquake in California history struck the farm town of Delano in 1965 and, as Randy Shaw explains in this fascinating, invaluable study, its aftershocks are still shaking workplaces and elections across America."—Mike Davis, author of In Praise of Barbarians
"Beyond the Fields is a stirring account of how the UFW transformed people's lives, instilling a lifetime commitment to social justice. Randy Shaw shows how the spirit, strategies, and tactics of the UFW in its heyday still strengthen the U.S. labor movement, build Latino political power, and infuse a growing national campaign for immigrant rights. If you want to understand the roots of 'Si se Puede' (Yes, We Can), read this book."—Eliseo Medina, former member, UFW Executive Board, now Vice President of Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
"The most powerful social earthquake in California history struck the farm town of Delano in 1965 and, as Randy Shaw explains in this fascinating, invaluable study, its aftershocks are still shaking workplaces and elections across America."—Mike Davis, author of In Praise of Barbarians
"Beyond the Fields is a stirring account of how the UFW transformed people's lives, instilling a lifetime commitment to social justice. Randy Shaw shows how the spirit, strategies, and tactics of the UFW in its heyday still strengthen the U.S. labor movement, build Latino political power, and infuse a growing national campaign for immigrant rights. If you want to understand the roots of 'Si se Puede' (Yes, We Can), read this book."—Eliseo Medina, former member, UFW Executive Board, now Vice President of Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
List of Illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Cesar Chavez and the UFW: Revival of the Consumer Boycott
2. The UFW Boycott Transformed
3. Building the Clergy-Labor Alliance: Reviving the Fast
4. Yes We Cane: Miami's Janitors Struggle for Justice
5. The UFW Battles Pesticides
6. The UFW Grassroots Political Model: Legislative Advocacy and Voter Outreach
7. The Labor-Latino Alliance
8. Building the Immigrant Rights Movement: Sí Se Puede!
9. The Immigrant Rights Movement Explodes
10. The Decline of the UFW
11. Harvesting Justice beyond the Fields: The Ongoing Legacy of
UFW Alumni
Conclusion: Fostering Social Justice in the Twenty-first Century
Notes
Index
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Cesar Chavez and the UFW: Revival of the Consumer Boycott
2. The UFW Boycott Transformed
3. Building the Clergy-Labor Alliance: Reviving the Fast
4. Yes We Cane: Miami's Janitors Struggle for Justice
5. The UFW Battles Pesticides
6. The UFW Grassroots Political Model: Legislative Advocacy and Voter Outreach
7. The Labor-Latino Alliance
8. Building the Immigrant Rights Movement: Sí Se Puede!
9. The Immigrant Rights Movement Explodes
10. The Decline of the UFW
11. Harvesting Justice beyond the Fields: The Ongoing Legacy of
UFW Alumni
Conclusion: Fostering Social Justice in the Twenty-first Century
Notes
Index
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