Who is Philip?

purhepechingona asked: Nar jarask'
First of all I wanted to say that the site looks amazing! As someone who's history has also been deeply buried (under Azteccentrist ideas of Indigeneity), I am excited to see a space that works to give credit to Pilipino / Asian sisters and brothers, the workers that really started the UFW. If it had not been for their courageous struggle in Delano, the UFW might not exist. I'm happy to see a space where ideas and bridges can be built among the new generations of organizers and people in struggle. Who instead of having more differences, really have more things in common than is talked about. My question is - Do any of you know where the UFW black eagle stems from?, or what significance it had (if any) among Filipino brothers and sisters? Perhaps more importantly, do you know what symbol Filipino (and other non mexican@) communities were using in their farm work organizing?

Thank you very much!

To answer your question about the eagle, Richard Chaves designed it as soon as the UFW was formed. From my understanding there is an aztec story about the birth of an eagle, which was why Cesar wanted an eagle on the flag. Cesar Chavez also chose the colors red and black. When talking about the flag Cesar Chavez said “A symbol is an important thing. That is why we chose an Aztec eagle. It gives pride … When people see it they know it means dignity.”

I found this information at www.ufw.org .

Thank you!

☮

antology asked: When I volunteered at FPAC this year, I went to Arturo Garcia's book signing and he got into a passionate discussion with another author who talked about Philip Vera Cruz. Mr. Garcia commented on how Vera Cruz is part of the communist party, I was wanted to know the truth behind this "hear say".

Sorry for the late response!

But to address your question, we know that the tension between Phlip Vera Cruz and Cesar Chavez was because of the lack of democracy in the decision making process for the UFW, so the possibility of him being a communist is highly unlikely.

It is also important to note that accusing Filipinos of being communist was not unheard of. Many Filipino labor organizers could not be deported because they were nationals before the Philippines were granted their independence. With no grounds for deportation many times Filipinos would be accused of being communist to be able to justifiably kick them out of the country.

A contemporary issue to help understand may be HB 2281, the banning of Ethnic Studies in Arizona. The grounds for that banning was “subversive behavior” from the excelling ethnic studies students. By “submersive behavior” they meant being aware of their disadvantage as people of color and working for social equality. Same concept.

Thanks for the question!

☮

melaniecervantes asked: This is a great page. I am working on portraits of Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz right now. I hope that the political posters will help to raise awareness of their role in the historic grape strike and the great contributions they made to the farmworker movement. As a Xicana whose dad and uncles were farmworkers I feel really indebted to that legacy of struggle. In solidarity!

Anonymous asked: yo son! im feelin this tumblr for philip vera cruz!! tell tha story that they fail to mention!!

concept-lt3:

As time passes, people will die. In particular, leaders of this movement will die. But, the movement will never die. So, it’s up to those leaders, to teach the youth so that they can one day lead the movement. The movement will always pass through the the new generations. Mabuhay ang kilusang!