DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

Associate Editor

LINDA DONOVAN

Assistant Editor

Contributors

ALEX STRACHAN

MIKE HUGHES

KIM AKASS

MONIQUE NAZARETH

ROGER CATLIN

GARY EDGERTON

TOM BRINKMOELLER

GERALD JORDAN

NOEL HOLSTON

 
 
 
 
Another Moving Bounty from 'Harvest of Shame'
December 7, 2018  | By TVWW Guest Contributor  | 33 comments
 

[Editor's note: Edward R. Murrow's 1960 CBS documentary, Harvest of Shame, is a staple of my TV History & Appreciation class at Rowan University. This term, it spurred an inspirational reaction from two of my students, in a blog posted here on TVWW. Amazingly, the same class has generated another unexpected bounty: a reaction from Edgar Aquino Huerta, who lives an amazing double life: farm worker by day, media student by night. His very personal account follows. -DB]

 By Edgar Aquino-Huerta

When Edward R. Murrow exposed the humiliation and poor treatment that migrant workers were facing in their agriculture jobs in 1960, it gave me the confidence to open up about what immigrant workers face today. Many people blame the white race for the bias towards immigrant workers, but in reality, our own people are the enemies...

When you’re given the power to control others, your ambitions become stronger than your humbleness. Coyotes, recruiters, line leaders, and even lawyers are some of the people that take away our hope for the American dream.

Countries such as Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, etc., make their citizens feel unsafe because of their corrupted governments. When their relatives tell them about their experiences on the other side of the wall, they become eager to find a better life in America. When they raise enough money, they then look for a “Coyote.” A coyote is an individual that crosses a group of immigrants to the other side.

When my mother and I crossed the border in 1998, the coyote charged $1,000 per head. Today they charge about $10,000 per head. It was easier to find trustworthy coyotes back in the day, but now it’s hard to find a decent one. It’s always been about the money, and now coyotes are controlled by drug cartels. Lucky immigrants are able to cross the border with no problem, while others have to run for their lives while being attacked by drug lords. The unlucky ones are sometimes taken by drug lords and are turned into slaves, having no choice but to work in the drug industry. Others are just not strong enough to take the heat of the desert and are left for dead. Or the coyotes.

There are some towns where immigrant workers stand in front of a plaza waiting for recruiters to offer jobs. Recruiters are often known as “Los Contratistas,” and a lot of them are infamous for their corruption in the temp agency industry. Contratistas contract people to work, despite their immigration status, and send them to factories, fields, farms, maintenance jobs, etc.

I remember my experience with a Contratista named Freddy, better known as “El Manitas.” El manitas means small hands, and that’s how Freddy was. He was known for his small right hand. He looked like a legit recruiter, but in reality, he was the most corrupt of them all.

I remember being picked up by him in a dirty white van. Those vans are specifically for ten people, but more than twenty people would have to be squished in there. People were picked up house-by-house. I was always used to the farm work, but during fall and winter breaks, all I had available were the factory jobs, which is where Freddy came in the story.

One of my first factory jobs was at an avocado factory. I experienced a number of bad moments during my first weeks there. Since I was raised in America, Hispanics would see me as the enemy only because I spoke English. It would hurt my feelings because my mom raised me to help anybody in need, and when somebody needed assistance, I was there. I would obviously use a fake identity while I worked in my summers, and when I would receive my paychecks, I noticed they were already cashed since there were bills inside my envelope. My mother always taught me to make calculations before receiving my paycheck, and my earnings were less than what I calculated.

Once I confronted El Manitas after my third paycheck, he laid me off because he knew I was starting to suspect his corruption. He would cash everybody’s check at random Mexican stores, and give the workers only a small percentage. Not to mention that he would charge $10 per person for their ride. When others confronted him and many other “Contratistas," they would threaten the workers with calling I.C.E. if they spoke a word -- because, apparently, immigrants had no rights in this country.

Line leaders are considered the backbone of any company because they’re the ones who control the majority of the staff, but in reality, they’re the worst kind of human being you can find. When my mother used to work at a greenhouse, she and her group used to get bullied by their line-leader. Their line-leader was Mexican as well, and ever since she was given the power of supervising, she started treating her people like peasants.

I remember coming home from elementary school, and my mom would call me during her 3 p.m. break. She always sounded so broken and sad. I always understood why, because I would go to work with her during my weekends, and knew how her line-leader treated her.

Imagine watching your own mother being humiliated by someone who has our same skin color. Making all the women cry just because they don’t know English, or because they have no social security. I saw my mother’s face when the line-leader yelled at her. My mom just smiled at me, but I know inside she was going through so much pain. I felt the anger stuck in my throat when I saw the line-leader that I wanted to punch her in her face.

There was a time where the line-leader put too much pressure on my mom to pinch a certain plant, and she stabbed herself with the blade of the knife. I went with my mom to the hospital, and the doctor gave her instructions to take two weeks off work. When she told her line-leader the news, the woman lost it. She told my mom that if she didn’t show up the next day, she was going to lay her off. So my mom went to work the next day and had pains in her knee again. When we took her to the hospital, the doctor yelled at her for not taking a break because her injury opened up. Her line-leader then laid her off, because she was afraid we would speak. Since line-leaders are considered loyal to the owners of the company, and always take their side when a victim opens up about their mistreatment.

--

[Asked to describe himself for this posting, Edgar wrote the following: -DB]
"Hello. My name is Edgar Aquino-Huerta. I’m a DACA recipient also known as a DREAMer. I’m an RTF major currently in my junior year at Rowan University. My goal is to become a film director, writer, and actor. During the mornings I’m a farm worker, and during my evenings I’m a full-time student. A lot of my art is based on my personal experience, and I hope to inspire many others to not let their circumstances define their dreams. I also hope to become a leader like Cesar Chavez, and provide assistance to my people."

 
 
 
 
 
 
Leave a Comment: (No HTML, 1000 chars max)
 
 Name (required)
 
 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
MIXRJ
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 2  | Go to page: 
33 Comments
 
 
I am extremely delighted in for this web journal. Its a useful subject.
Feb 20, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
This post is so well researched and well written. I learned so much from it,
Feb 20, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Thank you for this wonderful and interesting information, again.
Feb 20, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
https://forum.epicbrowser.com/profile.php?id=16463
Thank you for this wonderful and interesting information.
Feb 20, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Thank you for sharing this very informative post of face to face interviews in Kiev Ukraine. I am happy to get the information about it.
Feb 8, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Tree removal is a crucial aspect of arboriculture that involves the careful and deliberate removal of trees from a specific area. While trees are invaluable for the environment, providing oxygen, shade, and habitat for various species, there are situations where their removal becomes necessary for safety, aesthetics, or land development reasons.
Jan 15, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
As we look ahead, the integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, may play a pivotal role in enhancing the overall private jet rental experience. Predictive maintenance, personalized in-flight services, and real-time monitoring could become standard features, catering to the evolving expectations of clientele who seek not only luxury but also efficiency and innovation.
Jan 13, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
I really love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made.
Jan 10, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Hi,In an era where time is of the essence and personalized service is paramount, private jet charter stands as a symbol of convenience, efficiency, and opulence. Enabling passengers to bypass the constraints of commercial aviation, private jet charters redefine the flying experience
Jan 8, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Repairing electronic devices has become a burgeoning field, challenging the prevalent culture of planned obsolescence. Technological repair not only saves resources but also promotes a sense of empowerment among users who can take charge of their gadgets' maintenance.
Jan 7, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
One of the primary responsibilities of chimney contractors is the construction of new chimneys. Whether it's for a new home or as an addition or renovation to an existing structure, these experts are well-versed in the intricacies of chimney design and construction.
Jan 1, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Yes i connect with you. I subscribe your website. I am really very thankful to you. You have done very well job. Keep it up!
Dec 24, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Arthur talking to about of some important information related to hosted to know twitter lets see how. I am very impress to see in the work. I really like to it for here. houseboat for sale nsw
Dec 24, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Long Island Roofing stands as a beacon of excellence in the roofing industry, combining decades of experience with a commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, community engagement, sustainability, and safety. With a rich history of successful projects and a dedicated team of professionals, Long Island Roofing continues to shape the skyline of Long Island, one roof at a time.
Dec 24, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
I have read the title which you have made about self hosted. You have made a great effort in making this post which is appreciable.
Dec 24, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Thanks for your post. I’ve been thinking about writing a very comparable post over the last couple of weeks. I’ll probably keep it short and sweet and link to this instead if thats cool. Thanks.Thanks for your post. I’ve been thinking about writing a very comparable post over the last couple of weeks. I’ll probably keep it short and sweet and link to this instead if thats cool. Thanks.
Dec 24, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Two full thumbs up for this magneficent article of yours. I've really enjoyed reading this article today and I think this might be one of the best article that I've read yet. Please,
Dec 23, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Nice post. Everyone is looking a informative and a valuable post. After reading this post i will say that this post is a very informative and valuable post. Thanks for it.
Dec 23, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
From this connectivity you are sure to about the job that you have been trying to do and I have also done the same. From the same connectivity I have been able to increase the number of followers.
Dec 22, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
These professionals understand that the foundation of a resilient roof rests on the quality of the materials employed during installation or repairs. Whether it's asphalt shingles, metal roofing, or tiles, a reputable contractor ensures that the materials not only meet industry standards but are also selected based on their suitability to withstand the unique environmental conditions of the location.
Dec 20, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 2  | Go to page: