Texas Standard digital media producer and Del Mar alumnus Raul Alonzo gave a deep dive into the history of the Texas Farm Workers Union that captivated attendees at the Heritage campus.

The event, “Searching for the History of the Texas Farm Workers Union,” sparked an insightful discussion on the role of farm workers in shaping Texas and American society, as well as the labor movement led by figures like Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers.

Growing up in a family of migrant farm workers, Alonzo held a deep-seated passion for uncovering the often-overlooked history of the union. His research sheds light on the stories that were missing from mainstream history books, providing others with a more comprehensive understanding of farm workers struggles, labor organizing, and the impact of Mexican heritage on the nation.

Alonzo’s March 17 presentation highlighted the historical context of the farm workers movement, comparing it to the slavery of African American. He discussed the widespread discrimination faced by Mexican-heritage workers and their communities, often scapegoated during the times of economic hardship.

“The Great Depression led to a massive deportation of many Mexicans who were blamed for the country’s economic downturn, despite the fact they had no role in it,” said Alonzo.

During the Great Depression, the U.S. government deported hundreds of thousands of Mexican nationals, many of whom were U.S. citizens or had long-standing ties to the country. This moment in history was not only a painful reminder of racial prejudice but also a turning point in the labor rights movement.

In the 1960s, farm workers began organizing to demand better working conditions, fair wages, and recognition of their rights. Led by figures such as Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, the United Farm Workers movement gained momentum, advocating for the protection of farm laborers. The movement’s successes, included the 1965 Delano Grape Strike, drew national attention to the harsh conditions faced by farm workers and established the UFW as a key advocate for labor rights in agriculture.

Through Alonso’s research, he emphasized the importance of these historical moments, highlighting the enduring contributions of Mexican Americans in shaping the country’s agricultural landscape and its labor history.

“So, the title is actually the name of the series I reported on and produced for the Texas Standard,” Alonzo mentioned, “It was more of a spur-of-the-moment title. It gets to the point in this series, I’m searching for a history that, until now, I’d never been able to find much on.”

Alonzo noted that while researching figures like Cesar Chavez and the UFW often requires deep, careful investigation. His work involved tracking down descendants of those who played a vital role in the farm workers’ rights movement and recording interviews with them to fill in the gaps in history.

“It’s not impossible to find information, but you do really have to do some digging,” Alonzo explained, referring to his challenge in piecing together a comprehensive story of the Texas Farm Workers movement.

As part of his ongoing work, Alonso also documents the experiences of individuals who walked alongside leaders like Chavez, ensuring their voices are heard in the narrative he sought to craft.

“I also think in telling the story, you get deeper into the nuances of Texas history, labor history and Latino/Chicano history,” he said. “It’s challenging with some of the more popular narratives of what the movements for farmworker rights looked like in the popular consciousness.”

“History moves forward,” said Alonzo, stressing that the stories of these communities are still unfolding and should be acknowledged as a vital part of the nation’s heritage.

Alonzo’s message resonated deeply with attendees, reinforcing his belief that history continues to evolve.

Del Mar student Travis Becker agreed that there are more unsearched areas in Texas history.

“It’s just how in-depth the South Texas history goes,” said Becker of the need for research into local history. “There’s U.S. history that we learn but then there’s Texas, South Texas history that’s unexplored. Then looking further into South Texas history, you have towns like Robstown that he mentioned.”

Through Alonzo’s efforts, a missing piece of American history is being uncovered – one that highlights the struggles, triumphs, and contributions of farm workers and their relentless fight for dignity and justice.

Assistant Professor of History Dawson Barrett described the need for the type of work Alonzo is doing.

“In our current moment, it is very difficult to get actual news and information. His work with the Texas Standard is so vital to our survival as a functioning, democratic society. I think that if we really want to understand why South Texas looks the way it does today, we should be studying the histories of things like the TFWU, the Cisneros v CCISD case, and the student campaign that desegregated Del Mar,” said Barrett.

For those interested in learning more, Alonzo’s series on the history of the Texas Farm Workers and their pivotal role in shaping labor rights is available through the Texas Standard at https://www.texasstandard.org/Texas-farm-workers-union-tfwu-history/.