At about 5:35 pm on October 15, Dolores Huerta was introduced in room 201 at Yuba College. Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America, spoke to a packed assembly of students, professors and community members on multiple subjects that we face today as well as some of her recollections of past events. She pointed out that farm workers did not benefit from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” and related just how bad conditions were for men and women working in the fields. Huerta stated that the organization of farm workers gave the farm workers a feeling of power and she gave credit to Fred Ross, co-founder of the Community Service Organization, while maintaining that it was she, not Cesar Chavez, who came up with the slogan,”Si se puede!” which translates to “Yes we can!” Huerta, having spoken of her past experiences with the Farm Workers Union, began to address modern political issues such as health care, gay marriage, abortion, and feminism. “We need to start taking control of our government”, she said observing that the United States is the only developed country without national health care. She then said that,”Insurance companies are out for profit”, and that, by sending e-mails to their congressmen, those in attendance could implement the changes that need to be made concerning the issue of health care. Next she touched upon the possibility of illegal aliens receiving health care services, stating,”Immigrants have received undocumented health care in the United States from day one.”
On the subject of woman leadership she explained that we need more women in positions of power where decisions are made and that she thinks it is important for us to come together and see ourselves as one human race, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or color. She also pointed out that, after World War 2, Japan and Germany were treated fairly well financially in the form of foreign aid while Latino immigrants have faced hatred and discrimination despite their contributions to America
Huerta said that she is pro-choice and that there is mob rule when decisions are made in ignorance.”We need to be better informed”, said Huerta. she said that we should watch out for one another and educate those that we can. After the formal presentation Huerta answered questions and signed autographs.
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