By Jon Melegrito

In his proclamation of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM), President Obama said “we have forged a proud legacy that reflects the spirit of our Nation – a country that values the contributions of everyone who calls America home.”

What immediately comes to mind are the Filipino farmworkers who came to this country in the 1920s. They may be the “Forgotten Asian Americans” (the title of Fred Cordova’s book), but President Obama’s mention of the grape fields of Delano is a helpful reminder that Filipinos were leaders and trailblazers who fought for “equal treatment, and a better tomorrow for all Americans.”

On May 14, Filipino American union members at the Communications Workers of America (CWA) invited the community to a screening of “Delano Manongs.” It’s the story of farm labor organizer Larry Itliong and 1,500 Filipinos who collaborated with Chicano workers led by labor leader Cesar Chavez. Together, they instigated one of the American farm labor movement’s finest hours – the Delano Grape Strike of August 1965 against California’s greedy grape workers. The solidarity among Filipino and Mexican workers was instrumental in forging the nation’s first successful farm labor union, the United Farm Workers. Although Chavez and his union got most of the credit and publicity, Filipinos played a pivotal role.

In honoring the role of Filipino workers, it is well to remember how it all began. It was the summer of 1965, in Coachella, California. Filipino workers went on strike demanding a 30-cent wage increase from $1.10 an hour. After 10 days of picketing, the grape growers caved in. Building on their success, they organized workers in Delano, went on strike that lasted for more than five years. It was a historic victory.

Just as the Chinese built the railroads, Filipinos pioneered the challenging work of organizing and building solidarity among workers across racial lines. It was Itliong and his comrades reaching out to their Mexican sisters and brothers that made the United Farm Workers the powerful union it became.

I participated in CWA’s lunchtime event by leading a singing of “Profits Enslave the World,” a song written by Philip Vera Cruz, one of the Delano strike leaders.  The lyrics describe the America he discovered when he arrived in the 1930s, a “land of slavery” where minorities are oppressed by the wealthy few’s “senseless greed.” Five years ago, the Occupy Wall Street movement echoed this indictment of the 1 %. Today, public officials like U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont are among the powerful voices condemning income inequality in this country.

In the spirit of the Delano Manongs’ fight for equal treatment, CWA and other activists from the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) staged a protest action following the film screening. As it happened the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS), at its annual gala ball, was honoring Walmart. Several guests in their gowns and tuxedos on their way to the hotel briefly joined the picket line to show their solidarity.

Walmart was honored, according to APAICS President and CEO S. Floyd Mori, because it “continues to demonstrate corporate leadership and support of the AAPI community.” In other words, Walmart is a generous donor by funding APAICS programs, such as mentorships, scholarships, and fellowships.

But APALA disagrees with APAICS’ claim that Walmart “helps people around the world save money and live better.” In its statement, APALA called the nation’s largest corporation “a fierce anti-union employer [that] represents corporate greed.  Walmart pays poverty wages, substandard benefits, and has a shameful record with regard to employment discrimination involving race and gender.”

“For APAICS to honor Walmart is an insult to Asian Pacific American workers throughout the country, and the rich history of Asian Pacific American labor,” APALA added. “This is the 50th anniversary of the Delano Grape strike when Filipino farmworkers courageously led the fight to organize farm workers in California.  APAICS is insulting the legacy of Filipino farmworkers, Chinese railroad workers, Hawaiian plantation workers, New York Chinatown garment workers, and millions of other Asian Pacific American workers who have built this country.”

Send your comments to jdmelegrito@gmail.com

 

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Katrina Dizon and Ryan Mariategue of APALA join the picket to denounce Walmart. (Photo by Darren Shiroma).