The Latin American Student Organization hosted Adrienne DerVartanian from Farmworker Justice last Wednesday for their event "Farmworker Justice: Si, Se Puede (Yes, We Can)." The event took place in the University Union Chesapeake Rooms to talk about issues and policies affecting migrant workers in the United States. About 50 students attended the event, many of whom were members of LASO.
"Our hope is that students would care enough about the situation to do something about it," Andrea Castillo, a senior and former LASO president, said. "The laws need to be enforced…and that can only come with education about these issues."
According to their Web site, Farmworker Justice is a national, non-profit organization located in Washington, D.C. that "seeks to empower migrant and seasonal farm workers to improve their living and working conditions, immigration status, health, occupational safety and access to justice."
DerVartanian outlined the most prominent issues and concerns that face migrant workers today and spoke about occupational hazards, health conditions, poverty, illiteracy and discrimination.
"Our country's inattention to these problems has long been our national disgrace. These people are among the lowest-paid, worst-treated workers in the nation," DerVartanian said.
Farmworker Justice's long-term goals are to end discrimination, enforce labor laws and promote better wages. The organization supports a bill currently being discussed in Congress called Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act that has received bi-partisan support in Congress and is supported by employers and workers alike.
"It will lead to a stable farm labor force and help ensure farm workers are treated fairly," DerVartanian said about the bill.
Si, Se Puede is just one of several events being hosted by LASO this semester as part of their social justice awareness program. The student organization is seeking to create awareness of and sensitivity to issues facing the Latino community.
"Having [this event] was important because it informed the Towson community about issues that many are not aware of," junior Fiorella Sanchez said. "It's very important in our everyday lives because farm workers are essential to our economy."
LASO also hopes to raise awareness about their organization and motivate people to take action in their community by getting involved in the issues being discussed.
"Having more social justice programs addresses a lack of awareness," Antonio Hernandez, a junior and LASO president, said. "People will get interested through the programs and then hopefully get involved in their community."
Recent events hosted by the student organization include the LASO Cookout and a forum on immigration in America. Future events include Noche Latina, the Latino Symposium and Crossing Arizona. Each of these is geared towards teaching more about the Latin American community and encouraging students to get involved on and off campus.
"By getting involved in an organization [like LASO], students gain perspective they won't get just going to class," Hernandez said.
After Wednesday night's event, members of LASO are hopeful that Towson students will get involved with these issues and others important to the Latin American community.
"If they know the stories, how these people lack health insurance and die of brain cancer from pesticide poisoning for you to get tomatoes, more people will start to care," Castillo said.
RSS Feeds
