Colleges and universities all over the nation dedicate time to the farm worker plight in the United States. It is often a part of their education as they prepare for careers as social service providers, medical providers, psychologists and similar occupations. The following are only a few ongoing activities designed to educate tomorrow's professionals on the lifestyle and challenges that face this population.
GeorgiaSouthern University promotes its program history:
"The Center for Latino Outreach and Research Services originated in 1996 when Dr. Debra Sabia and a few other political science professors became interested in the migrant farm worker community. Their interest grew out of the political conflict that had erupted in southeast Georgia between local farmers and government authorities over the hiring of illegal laborers and the exploitation of poor illiterate farm workers."
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SAF or Student Action with Farmworkers is a non-profit organization administered by Duke University. A part of their mission is to bring students and farmworkers together…
-2005 SAF received an Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award for its role engaging a new generation of activists through the annual Student Labor Week of Action.
-2005 SAF received the Harry Chapin Self-Reliance Award from World Hunger Year for its innovative, creative approaches to fighting hunger and poverty in the U.S.
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Students at William and Mary in Virginia spent time with farm workers in the produce fields and the packing houses along its coast. The following excerpt can be found at:
The following excerpt is a quote by an individual in the article, identified as Grosh.
"Politicians and their constituents have to grasp the reality that as objectified as migrant farm workers are, they are here, and we have to remember that they are human beings made out of the same cells and tissues that any other people are," she said.
"You asked me about 'sadness,'" she continued. "I think the real sadness is that there are so many people in this country who do not know what migrant workers go through, what they do or that they even exist in local communities such as Williamsburg. I think first we have to acknowledge them, and that would be the first thing to irradicate ignorance. Then maybe we can help each other instead of making the other person the bad guy."
Every person who feels strongly about not persecuting our farm workers needs to vote at every opportunity. These are important years for our country. Your vote most definitely counts in the fight for the basic human rights of a minority population in our country. Please do not forget them...
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Comments: 16
Some would suggest U.S. citizens would love a shot at this type of work....any of us who have done it - beg to differ.
Sherry C: which legislature can you cite currently up for vote that includes these workers? The republicans shot down AgJobs Bill - so now our farmworkers are tied in to construction workers and illegal electricians and cab drivers.....hmmmm......there exists NOTHING at the moment that allows them to work without fear of further exploitation and persecution.
Score one for all those in favor of "shippin' 'em all back!"
What "basic human rights" are you refering to?
ALL PEOPLE ARE BLESSED WITH CERTAIN INALIENABLE RIGHTS.....SOUND FAMILIAR?
Nowhere does it say "all legal people," John.
Consult the Bill of Rights for more information.
I am more familiar with the Constitution than you are since I have been sworn to protect it.
I just don't recall reading the part where it says that it's OK to break the law in pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.
That's why it confuses me when people like you start with the old "rights" rhetoric.
You are obviously an educated person, you just know a thing when it comes to immigration issues.
As in HUMAN = RIGHTS.
So which human right allows someone to break the law?
I was swore an oath to protect the Constitution. That oath originates from Article VI of the Constitution and is set forth in Chapter 33 of Title 5, United States Code. My father's family was already well established in this country when the Constitution was written.
So I'll give you a free history lesson because you definitely need it.
The Constitution serves as the blueprint for the Federal government and specifies the power and procedures delegated to it.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…"
Deriving their just powers from the consent of those governed = CITIZENS!
Alexander Hamilton wrote an essay in 1794 in which he stated, "'What is the most sacred duty and the greatest source of our security in a Republic?' The answer would be, An inviolable respect for the Constitution and Laws—the first growing out of the last…."
Clearly, we are a nation of laws and our Constitution is empowered by the law. Illegal aliens do not have the "human right" to break the law.
As for your comments about the "Bill of Rights", let's take a closer look at that.
James Madison proposed adding ten amendments to the Constitution designed to protect the "unalienable rights" of individuals. This "Bill of Rights" was largely derived from a document adopted in 1776 known as the "Virginia Declaration of Rights." He added these ten amendments in order to expedite completion of the Constitution.
The First Amendment addresses the rights of freedom of speech and the press; the right of peaceful assembly; and the right of petition.
The Second Amendment addresses the right of the people to bear arms.
The Third Amendment prohibits the government from using private homes as quarters for soldiers without the consent of the owners.
The Fourth Amendment guards against unreasonable search and seizure of property without a specific warrant or a "probable cause" to believe a crime has been committed.
The Fifth Amendment, which is the basis for a fair amount of Constitutional law, prohibits:
• Trial for a major crime except after indictment by a grand jury
• Repeated trials for the same offense after an acquittal
• Punishment without due process of law
• Compelling an accused person from testifying against self
• Government from taking private property without "just compensation"
•
The Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Amendments regulate the justice system by guaranteeing:
• A speedy public trial for criminal offenses
• Trial by a jury of peers
• The right to legal counsel for the accused
• That witnesses testify in the presence of the accused
• The right of the accused to know the charges
• Trial by jury in civil cases involving anything valued at more that an established amount of U.S. dollars
• That excessive bail or fines will not be charged
• That no accused will be subject to cruel and unusual punishment
The Ninth Amendment - "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
The Tenth Amendment states that powers not delegated by the Constitution to the Federal government and not prohibited to the States are reserved to the States or to the people.
So Jackie, in which one of these ten amendments does it say it's OK to break the law and come to the United States illegally?
Don't you ever get tired of spewing the same ridiculous pro-illegal alien rhetoric?
John: Which law are they breaking when they arrive? Is it civil or criminal? Is it a misdemeanor or felony?
Give examples of the kind of law they break? Do they break a law akin to "breaking and entering?" "Grand larceny?"
Where does it MENTION AT ALL illegal entrance into this country in your quotes above? I SEE "ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL." HMMMMM....NOT U.S. CITIZENS - ALL MEN.
Where does it mention the government's responsibility to the people of this country to create valid laws and UPHOLD THEM?
Want to go tit for tat on law with regard to illegal immigrants?
LET'S PLAY.
These are crimes. What's next Jackie, are you going to claim that the crimes aren't serious enough to be counted? Tell me how many crimes do the illegal aliens have to commit before you will acknowledge they are criminals?
Not to mention the counterfeit government documents (fraud & counterfeiting), welfare fraud etc...
These are all premeditated crimes committed by illegal aliens who know they are breaking the law.