La Gente Newsmagazine's Conversation & Conflict - Winter 2022: Volume 50, Issue 2

volume 50
issue II
Conversation & Conflict
la gente newsmagazine
La Gente
Newsmagazine

CONTENTS
3 Editor’s Note
4 “Es que él no le pego”
Haydee Sánchez Resendiz
6 Progressive Politics in Colombia:
First Queer Woman Elected as Mayor
Juan Angel Marquez-Cruz
8 Generation Genocide
Karim Isaac Hyderali
11 COVID-19 & the Dangers of Misinformation
Within Latinx Communities
Alejandra Velasco
13 Conversations About Leaving Home
Jonathan Valenzuela Mejia
15 Playlist
Alvaro Hernandez-Say, Sara De La O, Jeanna Kim, Manuel Madrigal
16 Calladita te ves más bonita:
Tackling Sexism and Machismo
Andrea Alvarez
18 Farmworkers and Food: The Injustices
Migrant Workers Face While Sustaining a Nation
Sarah Mejia
20 Staff
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2

EDITOR’S NOTE
It is often that the conversations we least want to have—the kind that can make us
uncomfortable or perhaps challenge our perception of the world and ourselves—are the
ones we need to engage in the most. Although I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge
how difficult it is to hold space for these exchanges, let alone to navigate them, it is important
to note how consequential they are for both our personal well-being and that of our
communities.
We are at a critical juncture in time where political polarization, high levels of inequality and
global disaccord all threaten our futures. When the world seldom agrees and even truth
and facts can be disputed, if not distorted or ignored entirely, how do we hold each other
accountable? Do we try to bridge the divide, or do we exploit those fractures in search of a
resolution that does not compromise our ideals? The answers to these questions are hardly
black and white nor are they simple enough to manage in a few sentences, but I believe they
all begin with conviction and a willingness to confront our own reality.
This issue tackles a variety of conflicts, from the interpersonal to the international, in the hope
that our readers will feel empowered to face theirs head on. There is an incalculable value in
being able to address the matters that are important to us and our communities even when
they place us at odds with what we thought we knew or with those we admire. We hope that
this issue will serve as a reminder to speak up, participate, advocate, and engage in spite of the
fear of defying certain norms or conventional beliefs.
As always, I am in awe of the creativity and passion of our staff. Thank you for dedicating your
time, talents and brilliance into our magazine. I am eternally grateful for your contributions and
the opportunity to work with you all.
Ultimately, before any of these
conversations can take place, we
must be willing to come to the
table. If ever one fails to offer you
a seat, do not shy away from the
opportunity to create an inclusive
space of your own. On behalf of La
Gente, please consider this issue a
personal invitation to ours.
Con esperanza,
Sofia Rizkkhalil
Editor in Chief
3

Visual by Melissa Morales

“Es que él no le pego”
by Haydee Sánchez Resendiz
The following poem is written in the style of a
valona that originates from Guanajuato, Mexico’s
arribeño music and sound. Huapango arribeño
is recognized for its musical elements and poetic
improvisation used to celebrate, dance, and even
present a challenge. Two separate groups—each
composed of a guitarist, violinist, and a Mexican
vihuela player—face each other to interpret sones
and jarabes. The following valona is written from
the perspective of a daughter who expresses
her feelings after learning about the backlash
her family has received upon reporting a case of
domestic violence.
“Es que él no le pegó”
Con mucho sentimiento anunció
¿Por qué lo defendió?
Si fui yo quien lo miro
Fue más la humillación
Como de mi madre se burló
A mi solo me vio, y me sonrió
Cuando le intente llamar la atención
Ahí ya cambio mi expresión
Pues él se rió, y me ignoro
Entendí que a nosotros no nos valoró
Así que le voy a exigir
Que no vuelva a repetir
“Es que él no le pego”
“Es que ella no es una víctima”
Encontraron el coraje de decir
Pero no lo suficiente para venir
Esta bien, pero será la última
Mi madre no ocupa de su lastima
Lo que sí me sorprendió
Fue su falta de comprensión
No debieron alarmarse
Pues sin antes informarse
Con mucho sentimiento anunció
Usted se pregunta porque no se quedó
Pero por nosotros, mi madre mucho aguantó
Él lo vio, se aprovechó y a eso se aferró
Escondía como era su relación
Para no llamar tanto la atención
Por eso entiendo que así no lo conoció
Pues a muchos convenció
Pero usted, sin tener información
Ni escuchar nuestra versión
¿Por qué lo defendió?
“Pero es tú familia”
Me repetían como si no sabía
Me tomaban por ser hija muy fría
Pero nadie veía como discutía
Fuese de noche o fuese de día
En ocasiones a mi también me agredía
Y eso nadie lo sabía
Mi respeto lo perdió
Cuando a mi madre agredió
Si fui yo quien lo miró
In incidents of domestic violence, it is crucial to
remember that different individuals are impacted
and involved. The daughter’s perspective informs
the poem; it expresses her point of view to
emphasize that the reality of domestic violence,
mental and emotional abuse is not always clear for
those that aren’t on the receiving end. Although
the effects are not always visible, the experiences
of victims should in no way be diminished or
negated. Accordingly, when someone takes that
initial step to escape a dangerous situation, they
should not face criticism.
Despite this, in Latinx communities it is rather
common for reporting someone to be seen as
an act of betrayal, especially in a culture where
loyalty and family are often placed above all else.
However, reprimanding victims for reporting their
abusers protects the aggressor and reinforces
toxic masculinity. Moreover, it helps perpetuate
domestic violence and victim-blaming. Physical
and psychological abuse should never be
condoned, and machismo should be considered a
threat and not a continued cultural difference.
5

Claudia López, left, celebrates her mayoral victory in Bogotá. EPA. Castañeda, M. (2019).
Progressive Politics in Colombia: First Queer
Woman Elected as Mayor
by Juan Angel Marquez-Cruz
During the 2019 Colombian election, Claudia
López Hernández, became the first woman and
first openly queer candidate to be elected mayor
of Bogotá, Colombia, the second most critical
elected position in the country.
As expected, Hernández’s rise to power was
strongly contested by right-wing, evangelical,
and conservative movements which sought to
barricade any future for transformative politics.
These movements denounced the populist vote
naming Claudia Hernández mayor, calling her
“immoral” for proudly displaying her relationship
with her wife, Angelica Lozano Correa.
6
Although Colombia—along with the many Latin
American countries—is perceived to centralize
conservative and Catholic-dominated policy,
the nation employs a more progressive agenda
in their social-political legislation. In 2015, for
instance, trans folx over the age of 18 were
granted the right to legally correct their gender
identity on all identification-based documents.
The following year, the battle for same-sex
marriage was rendered a success, allowing
equal protection for same-sex couples and
implementing more progressive policies that
chastise gender-based discrimination in the
workforce.

Correspondingly, to maintain the progressive
momentum, Hernández proposed instituting
essential changes to public forums, health
services, and educational sectors in her 60-page
policy memo. Through this vision, she hopes to
restore sympathy and reduce the stigmatization
of and violence against marginalized queer
individuals. Likewise, Hernández aspires to enact
regional safe spaces where LGBTQ+ folx are able
to feel protected, regardless of their sexual or
gender identification.
Hernández’s victory fulfilled the seemingly
intangible dreams of those whose lives are
constantly threatened by homophobic,
transphobic, and misogynistic hate crimes.
This intersectional representation of women,
queerness, the working class, and the
disenfranchised reflect powerful and crucial
changes that will unequivocally transform
the trajectory of Latin American politics. We
are witnessing a momentous epoch in the
course of Latin American history—where more
marginalized identities are taking on leadership
roles.
gathering more than 300 LGBTQ+ elected
officials from Latin America and the Caribbean
during its Fourth Conference in Bogotá. The
importance of visibility in Latin American
politics, and around the globe in this case,
creates social consciousness of LGBTQ+ matters
that were otherwise ignored.
Ultimately, amplifying the voices of marginalized
communities and granting them spaces at the
table where heteropatriarchy unfortunately
persists is imperative. Doing so fosters a more
engaged and well-represented populace—one
that truly reflects the transformative changes
occurring across regions of Latin America.
In these precarious times, marginalized
communities should continue to consolidate
their power and demand visibility and
involvement in politics at every level of
government.
Case in point, in 2019, the Victory Institute—
an organization committed to increasing the
amount of LGBTQ+ folx in public office—reports
7

Generation Genocide
by Karim Isaac Hyderali
Visual by Haven Jovel Morales

Tonight we party with death’s disciples
Arm up with blades, bombs and rifles
Or just sit back and clutch your Bible
Nowhere to run from Generation Genocide
Mother Nature became the Grim Reaper’s Bride
As his body hits the dirt
He sees his blood become absorbed by the Earth
Bombs falling from the sky
Seven years old is too young to see people die
The blast robbed him of his sight
Wanted to show off his brand new shoes
He heard screams as his loved were ones split in two
Seventy-three years of his people living through this hell
Fighting day after day, praying that they prevail
Accounts of forced sterilization
Beaten until they pledged loyalty to their nation
Police boots to the abdomen and struck with electric probes
Treated this way until their hearts and mind broke
Detained and forced to do everything she normally wouldn’t
Just because she was a proud Uyghur woman
Subjugated to mass torture and rape
Xi Jinping assures us that it’s fake
Generation Genocide
Born into this way of life
Victims of our predecessors’ pride
We just wanna scream into the night
Constantly in a fight,
Fighting just to stay alive
Mother Nature is having a stroke
Assad’s chemicals will make you choke
Russia’s making Ukraine go up in smoke
China operating under the guise of reeducation is a joke
Venezuelans can’t afford to eat, so they’re being forced to flee
The world is infected with COVID-19
Afghanistan has been taken by the Taliban
Sexual violence is running rampant in South Sudan
I.C.E. has been putting immigrants in cages
Free speech in North Korea is considered outrageous
Unmarked graves underneath Canada’s residential schools
Slaves are being used to mine up jewels
9

Sixes in groups of three
Misery won’t set us free
Born into this fucked up world
What can we do, we have no say
Everything slowly fades to gray
Death and destruction around every single corner
Even elementary school’s have been getting visits
from the coroner
Thirty-four school shootings when it was mostly
virtual
Parents and children bursting into tears
Because death always draws near
And far too many have grown to become
desensitized
Guess that’s what makes us Generation Genocide
Found himself on the receiving end of a .22
He just wanted to liberate his people and expose
the truth
His daughter found him covered in bullet holes
Because of the politicians he opposed
Freedom of speech only applies to sheep
Blood of journalists continue to flood Mexican
streets
Don’t ask about femicide, hate crimes, the drug
trade or Inidgenous extortion
Or else your unsolved murder becomes your
misfortune
Families being forced to flee their homes
Artsakh falling under Azerbaijani control
Don’t want them to have a nation of their own
Children drawing bombs and tanks
Reflecting on seeing where they grew up turn to
waste
Feeling like there’s a hole within their soul
Can’t forgive them for the lives and land they
stole
Who’s to say that in ten years we’ll be alive
anyways?
But more importantly, who’s to blame for letting
the world get this way?
Anger and frustration burn like toxic radiation
That’s just how it is for this unfortunate
generation
10
We were all forced to go and drink the Kool-Aid
Fucking up the planet, so the rich can get paid
Mother Earth continues to withstand our abuse
All of the toxic and atmospheric waste that we
produce
Trash, oil and debris fill the seas
Marine life begin to die and catch disease
The air and water start to go up by a few degrees
Ice caps melt by the day, arctic life begins to fade
away
Forests suddenly set ablaze, flames burning all
the animals in its way
The survivors end up displaced, and their
populations begin to decay
Direct results of the pollution that we create
The Amazon is under attack
Her children are murdered when they try to fight
back
Wounds creating carbon emissions,
The complete opposite of her original mission
Bolsonaro laughing as her warriors are killed
Indigenous genocide gives him thrills
The forest cries as more native blood spills
Blessed be the protectors of the land,
Guardians making a stand,
But they must live in fear
Knowing the government doesn’t want them
here
So when they can’t find them,
They go and destroy their home
The sins of our predecessors, Generation
Genocide must atone
Stare into their eyes
With a heart as black as night
Look at their pain and despair
Tell them you don’t really care
Generation Genocide is losing its breath
Quiet now, don’t make a sound
Watch as humanity falters to the ground

COVID-19 and the Dangers of Misinformation
Within Latinx Communities
by Alejandra Velasco
COVID-19 and its Omicron variant continue to
spread quickly around the world and are here
to stay. Over the course of the pandemic, many
people died from COVID-19 while believing it
was non-existent. Unfortunately, the virus will
continue to change and evolve progressively.
Stuart Ray, M.D., and Robert Bollinger, M.D.,
M.P.H., specialists in the virus that causes
COVID-19, have claimed that “geographic
separation tends to result in genetically distinct
variants.” Nonetheless, many continue to deny the
existence of the virus and refuse to adhere to the
required safety measures. Luckily, according to
USAFacts, approximately 76% of the population
has been vaccinated with at least one dose as of
February 2022. However, 24% of the American
population remains uninoculated and more
vulnerable to the virus. Notably, vaccination rates
are still lower among communities of color, and
misinformation is a likely factor in that disparity.
Unfortunately, not everyone is equipped with
the tools and knowledge to distinguish a reliable
source from a non-reliable one. This causes many
to regard social media posts as credible news
sources. According to the Pew Research Center,
data suggests that 73% of the Latinx community
on social media has a strong preference for
Facebook, while approximately 34% or less have a
strong preference for Instagram or Twitter. Social
media users will often click on news links on
the social media sites, but can fail to distinguish
whether the article they are reading contains false
information. Facebook and Twitter, in particular,
allow for the dissemination of fabricated stories
faster than any other social media websites given
that billions of people view the “trending topics.”
Regrettably, stories with false or misleading
information often surround topics on the Internet.
Furthermore, many among the Latinx community
display high levels of mistrust towards political
figures and government. Case in point, some
have raised their suspicions about the pandemic
and believe that the virus was a government
strategy to depopulate the world. Similarly,
Latinx news outlets have spread rumors, hoaxes,
and conspiracy theories online with fake news
ramped up across platforms, only serving to
increase the fear and confusion among the
population. Additionally, Latinx communities
can be more likely to fall prey to misinformation
because of the linguistic gap that many face.
Without a doubt, false and deceptive information
can be dangerous, even impacting the way
people approach their health concerns. For
instance, misinformation surrounding the
safety of vaccines caused many people to not
want them. Correspondingly, stories asserting
that COVID-19 is not real or that it only affects
the elderly, such as those 65 and older, can be
detrimental to others. It can lead people to
imprudently ignore health protocols and feel
invulnerable to the deadly virus despite reports
indicating that COVID-19 can have serious
implications for people of all ages.
Similarly, certain fabricated stories erroneously
suggested that there were products, such as
Ivermectin or bleach, that could help cure
or protect a person from getting the virus.
These prompted people to dangerously and
misguidedly consume anti-parasitic medication
and home remedies with bleach. Perhaps even
more alarming, is that this was done in spite of
the messages from medical experts nationwide
urging people to refrain from consuming toxins.
11

Visual by Melissa Morales
However, there are steps that everyone can
take to ensure that they do not disseminate
misinformation within their communities. To
ascertain whether a source is credible, make sure
to evaluate the following criteria:
1. Is the publisher of the source reputable?
2. What are the author’s credentials and
affiliations?
3. Is the source up-to-date?
4. What sources are cited by the author?
5. Is there any bias?
It is critical to know not just who and where you
get your news from, but if it is trustworthy and
accurate as well. Anyone can post a tweet or an
article online but that does not guarantee that
they are actually qualified to provide medical
advice or suggestions to the public. With these
tips, not only can you distinguish misinformation
from credible sources, but you can help educate
your family as well.
Spread the word.
12

Conversations About Leaving Home
by Jonathan Valenzuela Mejia
Photograph by Ruth Chincanchan
“Papá, me voy a mudar a la universidad.”
For years, I wanted to say those words to my dad.
I love my father and my family with all my heart,
but attending a college on the other side of the
state finally gave me the opportunity to move out
on my own for the first time last year. I wanted to
experience a new life, one different than I grew up
with, and I finally made the decision to go forward
and pursue the life I desired.
Despite the COVID-19 outbreak postponing the date,
my dad and I both knew that I would have to move
out of our home eventually. Although it was hard for
him to see another one of his children leave the nest,
he knew it was best for my education. My father and
I had fought hard for me to have an opportunity
like being able to study at UCLA, and we would not
squander it just so I could stay home.
When the time finally came, I knew a part of him
struggled with the news. He had relied on me to
help around the house and take care of my little
sister. However, he supported me wholeheartedly
and encouraged me to forge a life of my own.
“No te preocupes, lo arreglo yo, tú ve y hazte una vida
por ti mismo allá.”
These words represented his blessing, but I knew
they were more for my benefit than his. His approval
meant the world, and I would not have been able to
take the final step without it.
The worst part is the guilt—the guilt that replaces
the rush of excitement of achieving a goal, of taking
a leap towards a future you have dreamed of.
13

Ultimately, I felt like a traitor that had abandoned
his family, and the feeling still persists to this day.
It is bittersweet to have the opportunity to study
at a university because I know my father would
have wanted to but was never afforded the same
privilege.
“What if I had gone to the school close by instead? It
was a mistake coming here. I don’t know why I chose
UCLA when I had a perfectly good option close to
home.”
Every time that the smallest thing goes wrong while
I am at UCLA, these thoughts loop through my
head like clockwork. Likewise, when something big
happens back home, the voice persists despite the
fact that coming here was the best decision I could
have made for myself. Beyond that, I carry the weight
of no longer being able to watch my little sister grow
up. I played a fundamental role in the first six years
of her life, but now I am gone. This is a feeling that
many older siblings can relate to when moving away
for college. We essentially took on a role similar to a
parent, and when we move on to make a life of our
own, it can feel as if we have abandoned our own
child.
Ultimately, my conversations with my father are what
helps me push past the guilt and stay motivated.
By attending UCLA, I am indirectly allowing him to
achieve his dreams of obtaining a higher education.
Similarly, I try to remember that my sister will be able
to look up to me, to see an example of someone
going to college, and find herself unafraid to make
a dream for herself. Being here, over 300 miles away
from my home and those I love most has hurt a lot,
but it has also made me stronger.
“Primero en la familia, nunca lo olvides.”
We, the children who left our homes, whether we are
ten miles away or 1,000, share similar experiences.
We feel the guilt and shame of thinking of ourselves
for once, often avoiding conversations on this topic,
since they can be heartbreaking and difficult to have.
However, these discussions are what keep us
going. They remind us of why we are here, why we
pursue the topics we are studying, and why we
are the person our families helped shape us to be.
They uplift us and prompt us to work so hard out
of love—love for our families and communities—
to ensure that those who come after us have an
example and are able to take that step and choose
themselves when the need arises.
“Recuerda quien eres, porque eso es lo que te ayuda a
seguir adelante.”
Photograph by Ruth Chincanchan
“Papá, me voy a mudar a la universidad.”
For years, I wanted to say those words to my dad.
I love my father and my family with all my heart,
but attending a college on the other side of the
state finally gave me the opportunity to move out
on my own for the first time last year. I wanted to
experience a new life, one different than I grew up
with, and I finally made the decision to go forward
and pursue the life I desired.
Despite the COVID-19 outbreak postponing the date,
my dad and I both knew that I would have to move
out of our home eventually. Although it was hard for
him to see another one of his children leave the nest,
he knew it was best for my education. My father and
I had fought hard for me to have an opportunity
like being able to study at UCLA, and we would not
14
squander it just so I could stay home.
When the time finally came, I knew a part of him
struggled with the news. He had relied on me to
help around the house and take care of my little
sister. However, he supported me wholeheartedly
and encouraged me to forge a life of my own.
“No te preocupes, lo arreglo yo, tú ve y hazte una vida
por ti mismo allá.”
These words represented his blessing, but I knew
they were more for my benefit than his. His approval
meant the world, and I would not have been able to
take the final step without it.
The worst part is the guilt—the guilt that replaces
the rush of excitement of achieving a goal, of taking
a leap towards a future you have dreamed of.
Photograph by Ruth Chincanchan

PLAYLIST
This playlist is curated by our very own radio team, Chismeando con La Gente. When conversations are hard,
music can help ease the stress. We focused on songs that deal with topics that words can sometimes fail to
fully express. Plug in and listen to this playlist as you read our newsmag or simply play these tunes to help
you relax!
Scan the barcode to hear the playlist featuring songs such as...
La Peor Idea de la Historia
Cora Yako
Labios Compartidos
Maná
Cayendo (Side A - Acoustic)
Frank Ocean
Si Una Vez
Selena
Samba Pa Ti
Santana
15

Calladita te ves más bonita:
Tackling Sexism and Machismo
by Andrea Alvarez
Visual by Nancy Romo
Muchachitas decentes; our mamás, abuelas, and
tías continuously stressed the importance of
being honorable young women, yet what exactly
makes one an exemplary Latina? According to the
aged muchachita decente philosophy, a decent
young woman is reserved, modest, and obedient.
The term acts as the blueprint for the perfect wife
and mother, characterized by her ability to care
for and serve her family. As my female relatives
compare their experiences to mine, saying things
like “a tu edad yo ya sabía cocinar,” I recount how
times have changed, and I am privileged to
have grown up under different circumstances.
However, have these old-fashioned beliefs
actually left our communities? Notwithstanding
the generations of change and progress in
combating gender inequality, the muchachita
decente model continues to impose patriarchal
norms on women.
16

Accordingly, expectations of how women
should behave, speak, dress, and think have
prevailed. While Latinas are encouraged to
pursue higher education and establish successful
careers on their own, we are still expected to
get married and form a family upon completing
these achievements, if not concurrently so.
This reinforces the idea that women are only
accomplished when they have a man by their side
and link their value to motherhood.
Conversely, when Latinas deviate from the
expected norms, we are labeled rebellious and
shamed for not adhering to the conventional
standards put forth by the patriarchy. Attempts to
modify our image and behaviors are disguised as
a form of protection from the dangers the outside
world presents. As a result, a woman’s autonomy
is often repressed for their own “protection”
while the sexism within our culture remains
unaddressed.
Correspondingly, women are also expected
to act and appear modest, otherwise they are
blamed for the sexualization of their bodies.
The Madonna-Whore dichotomy juxtaposes the
constructed image of a “good” and “bad” woman.
The former wears modest clothes and is pure,
reserved and good-natured—a woman fit for
marriage. However, the latter is promiscuous,
morally reprehensible and unchaste—a woman
deemed ill-suited to handle the responsibilities
of a mother and wife. This complex is often used
to vilify women who do not behave as society
deems they should.
Moreover, the cultural and social construct
of sexuality within the Latinx community has
resulted in the hypersexualization of Latinas,
allowing their bodies and virginity to serve as
indicators of their worth. In fact, the traditional
Quinceañera celebration originated as a cultural
initiation into “womanhood,” signifying 15-
year old girls were of age to become wives and
mothers. Nevertheless, even as our Quinceañera
celebrations have evolved and deviated from
“As a result, a woman’s autonomy
is often repressed for their own
‘protection’ while the sexism within
our culture remains unaddressed.”
their original purpose, young women are still
being initiated into a culture where their value is
dependent on their sexual repression; purity and
submissiveness are encouraged in place of sexual
liberty.
Ultimately, Latinas will gain collective liberation
when our communities unlearn these ideologies
and break the generational cycles of sexism and
misogyny. We must continue to empower our
young girls to raise their voices and remind them
that no necesitas callar para ser bonita.
For instance, figures such as La Malinche—an
Indigenous woman who was sold to Hernán
Cortés as a translator and contributed to the fall
of the Aztec Empire—are often mischaracterized.
Although she did turn her back on her people,
the context which informed her actions is rarely
weighed. La Malinche was sold into slavery by
her mother and villainized for her supposed
affair with Cortés despite his having purchased
and abused her. She is blamed for the abuse she
endured and disparaged as a result.
17

Farmworkers and Food: The Injustices Migrant
Workers Face While Sustaining a Nation
by Sarah Mejia
Food is a staple of everyday life: it is a tool for
health, a cultural outlet, and an opportunity for
social connection. This intricate relationship means
that thinking about where food comes from and
specifically who harvests it is an important topic,
but one that is generally disregarded. True social
consciousness should consider how food practices
that enrich the health of one demographic may
be detrimental to another.
Specifically, the habits of
consumers can reinforce
the negative working
conditions of migrant farm
workers who harvest the
food that is readily available
to the general population.
Labor violations against
migrant workers in U.S.
farms began with the
Bracero Program in
1942. As a response to
labor shortages in the
agricultural industry, the
U.S. and Mexico created
an agreement to provide
seasonal employment
to Mexicans. The Bracero
Program lasted over two
decades before it was shut down as a result of
unjust labor practices and rising political tensions
due to racism.
In 1986, Congress passed the Immigration Reform
and Control Act (IRCA) which made it illegal for
U.S. employers to knowingly hire undocumented
migrants. This act, however, did not end the need
for cheap labor: American employers utilized
the IRCA to exploit undocumented workers,
knowing that they would take low paying jobs out
of necessity. In a study conducted by Princeton
University, researchers found that “undocumented
migrants earn 20 percent less, on average, than
legal immigrants, while temporary legal workers
earn around 13 percent less.“ Additionally,
employers began hiding their hiring practices by
subcontracting undocumented workers. This system
allowed for plausible deniability of illegal hiring
practices and further cut undocumented worker’s
wages in order to compensate the subcontractor.
Seeing that the IRCA was
not curving any hiring
practices, Congress
passed the Immigration
Act of 1990 (IMMACT90)
which legalized the
use of foreign labor
without granting
permanent citizenship.
Under IMMACT90,
immigrants working in
the agricultural sector are
issued H-2A visas under
the following conditions:
work is temporary and
the worker will return to
their country of origin
when the visa expires.
Moreover, the H-2A visa
may be extended up
to three years, at which point the migrant must
reside outside of the U.S. for three months before
returning on a new one.
Since the H-2A visa is dependent on the employer’s
willingness to keep the worker and extend their
stay, employers hold all of the power. This fearbased
power dynamic means that many labor
violations (such as sexual harassment, unpaid
overtime, dangerous working conditions, reduced
wages, etc.) go undocumented due to the threat of
deportation.
18

Correspondingly, migrant farm workers on
H-2A visas have less money to spend on food
for themselves and their families. According to
the California Endowment, low-socioeconomic
households (like that of migrant workers) are more
likely to be located in a food desert. These areas are
“places with large proportions of households with
low incomes, inadequate access to transportation,
and a limited number of food retailers providing
fresh produce and healthy groceries for affordable
prices.”
With limited options, migrant workers who live
in food deserts struggle to achieve a healthy
diet and experience negative health effects.
According to a study conducted by the California
Institute of Rural Studies, who interviewed 971
farm workers from California’s agricultural regions,
“81% of male subjects and 76% of female subjects
had unhealthful weight.” Excess body fat due to
increased intake of processed foods is a risk factor
for a variety of health issues including hypertension,
diabetes, high cholesterol, and iron deficiency. The
study found that the majority of interviewees faced
these health issues at a disproportionate rate in
comparison to the national average of U.S. adults.
To fully comprehend the magnitude of this issue,
compare migrant workers’ low wages with the
average expenditure on food. According to the
California Agriculture journal, two of the most
utilized farm labor contractors, Fresh Harvest Inc.
and Rancho Nuevo Harvesting, contract H-2A
migrant workers for an average of $10,922 and
$8,651 (respectively) per season. Keeping in mind
that H-2A visas only permit migrants to work with
their assigned employer, these wages are not
enough to sustain a healthy diet during periods of
unemployment and application processing. This
is evident in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
2020 food expenditure study which found that
“households in the lowest income quintile spent an
average of $4,099 on food…while households in the
highest income quintile spent an average of $12,245
on food.” Neither of these budgets are feasible
with the wages migrant workers are making, as it
represents approximately 50% of their income.
The juxtaposition between migrant workers
sacrificing their physical health for the harvesting
and distribution of healthy foods across the
country while not being able to readily afford nor
access those same foods requires an immediate
solution. As consumers, we need to bring attention
to this vital issue affecting members of the Latinx
community by admitting that we contribute to this
inequitable system. We should sign petitions, attend
protests, donate money to help migrant workers,
and call state legislators to advocate for immigration
reform. It is only just that farm workers have a right
to the same nutritious food that they work so hard
to provide us all with.
Visuals provided by Lexia Luna-Nazari
Getty Images. (2017).
19

Staff
Editor in Chief
Sofia Rizkkhalil
Managing Editor
Karim Isaac Hyderali
Head of Copy
Laysha Macedo
Web Manager
Jacqueline Silva
Director of Marketing
Paulina Fernandez
Content Editors
Jacky Barragán
Sarah Mejia
Jonathan Valenzuela Mejia
Copy Editors
Angelica Alcantar
Edgar Olvera
Marisol Huerta-Ontiveros
Jacqueline Silva
Layout & Visuals Editor
Haven Jovel Morales
Radio Coordinator
Alvaro Hernandez-Say
Spanish Editor
Jonathan Valenzuela Mejia
20
Layout/Design Team
Srujana Bhoopanam
Itzel Hernandez
Marketing Team
Jennifer Hernandez
Naomi Orozco
Radio Team
Manuel Madrigal
Jeanna Kim
Sara De La O
Spanish Team
Juan Ángel Marquez
Haydee Sánchez Resendiz
Staff Writers
Andrea Alvarez
Jowen Scarlet Escobar
Espy De La O
Lesley Gonzalez
Renee Grange
Carol Martinez
Juan Ángel Marquez
Haydee Sánchez Resendiz
Miriam Torres Sanchez
Alejandra Velasco
Isabela Zavala
Visuals Team
Ruth Chincanchan
Esiselda Linares
Lexia Luna-Nazari
Melissa Morales
Nancy Romo
Interns
Andrea Alvarez
Isabela Angulo
Elizabeth Iniguez-Figueroa
Giselle Gonzalez
Evely Torres

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