LAC "Food Chains" Movie Screening

On Thursday May 14th, SCCAP's Labor Action committee or LAC hosted a private screening on the film "Food Chains." This film focuses on the life and struggles of farm workers within the tomato industry. It mainly revolved around the lives of workers in tomato farms, but it also touched on the overall struggle of every farm worker to earn a decent wage and be able to provide for their families.

The film started with the many assumptions people have about the largest and riches companies and industries in the world. The truth is that supermarkets are some of the wealthiest industries earning more than $4 trillion globally. Many think that huge fast food companies are worth the most. But because of the unfair wages the workers receive, these companies earth trillions. The story then followed the coalition of Immokalee Workers revolutionizing farm labor and protesting a chain in Florida. It then went across the United States and showed the same issues, especially here in California. California is known for its huge and diverse vegetable production. But what many people don't see is the slave like conditions workers are suffering on a daily basis.

Most workers today are Mexican or from Central America, because the U.S. went into their countries and took international farmers out of business. The United States decided they should sell products at a lower costs, from having cheaper labor, which all together contribute to major violations of human rights issues. This adds to the major problem that is very prominent today. Farm workers are directly paid by the piece rather than hour which as recalled in the film is legacy of slavery. As a result farm workers are barely earning about $12,000, while large retailers gain billion annually. Throughout the film the movement was aimed with the goal for farmers to receive only one penny more for each load of tomatoes they picked. This would only cost the company about $1 million dollars, which is nothing to a trillion dollar industry.

If all of these struggles weren't serious enough many women suffer of sexual harassment as well with over 80% of women being expose to such problems. And because of the wages most of these farm workers are living under the poverty line and began a hunger strike to bring more awareness.

The solution that came was “The Fair Food Program asks large retailers like supermarkets and fast food restaurants to pay just a penny more per pound of tomatoes and to refuse to buy tomatoes from farms with human rights violations...To date, twelve major retailers have signed on including Walmart, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, McDonalds, the YUM Brands, Chipotle, Burger King, Aramark, Compass Group, Bon Appetit, Sodexo, and Subway.”  http://www.foodchainsfilm.com/

The most important lesson I learned from our film is that communities everywhere, but most importantly powerful active communities such as SCU have a lot of power. We sometimes forget that these farm workers struggles even pertain to us. But the truth is that they do and they are affecting millions of lives everyday. It is the responsibility of us as educated citizens to bring awareness, help educate others, and never forget where our food comes from. We have the power to choose where we buy our food and what we also choose to consume. Joining with strikes, participating in events hosted by SCCAP and other activists clubs will come a long way. This event really opened my eyes to an industry I wasn't too informed about and really taught me the value of privilege and giving thanks to all that I am fortunate enough in my community.  With this event and the previous community engagement I want to continue to go forward as an educate citizen and continue to learn more for myself and the bettering of my community. 

When It's Not a Great Day to be a Bronco

On Wednesday May 13th, Santa Clara's Associated Student Government hosted a town hall meeting called "When It's Not a Great Day to be a Bronco." This event was created to allow for students of the Santa Clara community to discuss issues of days they don't feel are best here at SCU. It was hosted by the incoming leaders of the top organizations on campus. The panel of leaders included ASG president, MCC director and co-director, ASG senate chair, and SCCAP's director.

The meeting started off with outgoing leaders of all of these organizations talking about accomplishments of this past school year. Many of the accomplishments focused on the idea of inclusion and support of minority communities on campus. Then the new incoming heads of these organizations introduced themselves and talked about their goals for the next school year and ways they were thinking of implementing their ideas. Again the idea of inclusion was a huge focus for the leaders. They all talked about ways to tackle campus issues and just working toward ways of making Santa Clara the best community.

Afterwards the floor was open to students to discuss issues they wanted solutions for. The big and main issue was about the racial issues that were brought up on social media Yik Yak application. Extremely disgusting and disturbing posts were put up and many students were left hurt and in need of some kind of movement toward change for this problem. The focus wasn't just on the racial discrimination through social media, but the culture the school possesses where minority groups continue to be looked down on and made fun of. The students talked about the necessity of dialogue and education that speaking in such ways of other groups is extremely unacceptable. SCU was described as a privileged place where there were a lot of uneducated people that just don't care of prominent issues. It's crazy to think that such issues like sexism and racism are huge at an institution such as SCU thats mission includes social justice.

Other things talked about were that the SCU culture allowing for things like this to occur. It starts with the figure heads of the school not even being present at these town hall meetings and student and faculty being able to come together to make change happen. This year especially there have been many times where the heads of the school don't take these issues seriously therefore how do we expect the rest of the school to take it seriously. There is no transparency nor communication with the students and administration. The gap with administration needs to be closed, and these emails that are pointless need to stop.

After tackling many issues the conclusion was that the students have to propose a solution because the school won't do anything on its own. ASG has a lot of power and they have to take advantage of that and communicate the student body's voice and talk to administration. And there are a few main goals that have been chosen to represent the overall solution.

These were outlined at the followup meeting that took place Friday May 22nd, in preparation for the meeting with Father Engh. The final solution involves our schools education and involving faculty in process, recruiting more diverse people into our school, the school being more transparent, and working on dialogue with all campus life. The final proposition will be taken to Father Engh this Wednesday. Hopefully we can work toward a solution as the end of the year is approaching very soon. It is important for us students to not give up on something we our passionate about and to all be confident in the leaders we are. Its up to the students to start this movement of change that with time will bring results and bring forth a better SCU for all.

This I Believe

One I'd Like to Share:

The essay I would like to share with our class is one by Nancy Yucius titled, "Live Your Life So That You Will Have No Regrets." In this Nancy talks about growing up with her mother that constantly reminded her of the importance of truly living life with no regrets. Her mother was a perfect example of this. Not only did she go on a six-month bicycling tour of Europe, but she was also her city's first licensed female pilot, while raising their children. Seeing her mother live such an incredible life inspired Nancy to want to do the same. She traveled, went back to school to get her masters, and lived every moment to the fullest with the support of her family. In her essay she talks about later being diagnosed with colon cancer and being told she would only have a year or so to live. She didn’t let this stop her from being herself. Alongside the inspirational quote her mother always told her, she also learned to believe that, “Everyone is dying all the time. Everyone is also living all the time. It’s all in your perspective which one you’re experiencing! Choose wisely.” So she went on with her life, visited friends, talked about her experiences, and tried to relive her fondest memories with her loved ones.

I connected with Nancy’s essay because I have a lot of trouble reminding myself to live my life doing the things that truly make me happy. For four years I participated in extracurricular activities that all served others in my community. Once I got to college I felt the need to also continue to do things that would make others happy. I constantly find myself putting others needs before my own. This really hurt me in college.

Coming to Santa Clara I was homesick, and struggled with my transition into college. By not living life with the way I wanted: overcoming challenges became ten times harder. So Nancy’s essay helps me understand the value of self-worth. It may sound selfish to many, but really reflecting on one’s life is important. I have learned to take time for myself and focus my energy on positive things. Things that make me happy will help me continue to live my life with no regrets and make my transition into college much easier.

I appreciated her words because it reminds me of the second week of spring quarter. The first two quarters of freshman year I kept trying to bring my high school experience to SCU. But after talking to upperclassmen from my high school I learned that I had to make the best out of my time at SCU and focus on finding a community here. I immediately thought of our student government. I decided to run for sophomore senator and was blessed with the opportunity to be elected as a senator for the upcoming school year. This immediately changed the way I viewed the Santa Clara community and allowed me to see light at the end of the tunnel. With this rewarding decision I made I hope to continue to take chances and partake in things that make me happy. It’s been a challenge to remind myself of the necessity to live for the things that put a smile on my face. I’m ready to make SCU my home and live my time here with no regrets. I cannot wait to serve my class and help develop our community into something great!

This I Believe:

I believe “This is my canvas and I’m going to paint it how I want it,” mentioned in artist J.Cole's song Apparently.

It took me two quarters to realize this statement is true for my time in college. I was so sure of it in high school, but recently rediscovered it again.

College is a place that I have learned so much about myself and people in the world. While some are negative, some are also positive. I myself need to look past my downs, but look forward to the ups that life will bring.

I have learned that for me college will be and has been a  time that I will change, grow, and develop into a strong, powerful, and independent women. I have had experiences that I need to learn from and continue to grow for my community and myself. I believe in being able to make my journey what its meant to be and in having the power to create a life for myself. I have already seen the way relationships and experiences bring change. But I am ready to take on challenges, overcome obstacles, and make out pf these experiences what i want for myself. 

I was born in a loving environment that always allowed me to be myself while staying true to my families' values. be strong, independent, follow your dreams, never give up, but never forget about your family and where you came from. What I got from it was to be me, Amy. i want to stand out and make my world the best it can be. From following my passions, to taking risk, traveling the world, and just living life to the world; I believe that my life is my canvas, and I cant paint to see how my painting turns out. 

All Women Are Flawless

If you haven't watched Beyonce's "Flawless" music video featuring Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's speech titled "We should all be feminists": I highly recommend it. Not only is Beyonce one, if not my favorite artist, her album Beyonce includes multiple songs with deeper meanings about sexism. In the music video Beyonce seems very angry, yet holds a strong personality that comes alive through the lyrics. The song was written to defend women's rights in a sense and also tell all the women out there that they can do whatever they want. She wants women everywhere to know they should breakaway from stereotypes, talk about feminism, and gain the confidence to speak their mind in society. Also included is many samples of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's TED talk that defines feminism and the way women continue to be looked down upon for wanting to breakout of ordinary roles.

Sexism is an extremely prominent issue that affects women on all over the world. From the workplace, to getting higher education, to things as simple as the way women dress. It is absolutely absurd to think about how little times have changed. That is exactly why this video connects to my values and congruence. Even though it speaks to my personality and the type of artist that I listen to, it also reflects on my value of equality for all. Being a Latina and a women I've seen the difficulties many individuals face from racism to sexism. If it wasn't from personal experience, I saw family members, friends, or even public figures experiences backlash for speaking their mind. The video specifically shows the way society wants to box all women up and ignore their potential. But I love it so much and wanted to share it because it can easily connect to anyone that feels trapped by the standards society has and just wants to be able to be themselves.

Attending an all girl school I would say completely influenced why my value of equality and respect are ranked so high on my list of values. Beyonce sees these values to be important as well and used her fame to bring awareness to the topic. I feel so connected to the clip because of the way I see myself living my life. Because of my and my family's experience and struggles my goal is always to do the unexpected and breakaway from the norm. From high school, to now in college I was a part of student government and worked to be the voice for those who might have not felt as confident to do so. I've had a job from a young age, and have just learned to become involved in any extracurricular activity that I was passionate about. Some girls are as fortunate to be able to say that they can do what they love. And for women that don't feel capable of standing up for themselves: "Flawless" lays down a platform for the start of something better for women.

"Flawless" is sort of my anthem whenever I feel sad or unconfident in my abilities. It is so power and I'm glad more artists like Beyonce are using their talents to globalize social justice issues through the media. As I mentioned before I try to do what makes me happy and pursue my passions in whatever endeavor I choose to take on. I recommend for everyone to simply ask themselves if whatever they are doing truly makes them happy. At the end of the day if one feels happy and blessed to be where they are; it just makes the world a better place for all to come together. I hope that I can continue to do what makes me happy while never forgetting the values of equality and respect for all no matter where they come from.