- Social:
journalist and author
Former reporter for the Los Angeles Times; author of The Crusades of Cesar Chavez and The Union of Their Dreams: Power, Hope, and Struggle in Cesar Chavez's Farm Worker Movement
PROFILE
Miriam Pawel
Guest
FROM Miriam Pawel
To the Point
CA bill could set historic pay increases for farmworkers Will Governor Jerry Brown seize another opportunity to improve the lives of farmworkers? Migrant workers harvest corn on in Gilroy, California USDA photo by Bob Nichols When he was first Governor of California back in 1975, Jerry Brown created the Agricultural Labor Relations Board . California became the only state to allow farmworkers to unionize and bargain for overtime. Now, in his fourth term, he's being asked to sign a measure that would pay overtime after a workweek of 40 hours instead of 60 hours. But recently, Brown vetoed a bill that have would make it easier for farmworkers to organize. Miriam Pawel is author of two books on the farmworkers: The Union of their Dreams and, most recently, The Crusades of Cesar Chavez: A Biography .
Which Way, L.A.?
Cesar Chavez Gets Close-up in a First-of-Its-Kind Biography It's a holiday in California in honor of Cesar Chavez -- arguably the most important Latino leader in US history. In the 1960's, he organized poor Mexican farm workers against rich California farmers using boycotts, marches and other forms of nonviolent action. In the process, he inspired a generation of activists for other causes as well as his own. But that's not all there is to the story, as revealed in a new biography, The Crusades of Cesar Chavez , by Miriam Pawel. She also wrote The Union of their Dreams , about the United Farm Workers.
To the Point
Cesar Chavez Gets Close-up in a First-of-Its-Kind Biography Ten states recognize this as Cesar Chavez Day . In California, Colorado and Texas it's an official holiday. Arguably the most important Latino leader in US history, in the 1960's Chavez organized poor Mexican farm workers against rich California farmers using boycotts, marches and other forms of nonviolent action. In the process, he inspired a generation of activists for other causes as well as his own. This weekend, an admiring new biopic was released, but a new biography tells a more complex story. Miriam Pawel is author of The Crusades of Cesar Chavez .
Which Way, L.A.?
The UFW: 50 Years Later In Bakersfield over the past weekend, the United Farm Workers Union celebrated its 50th anniversary with cries of "Viva Chavez!" and Sí se puede!" We get an update on the UFW from KCRW's Saul Gonzalez, who was in Bakersfield over the weekend for the 50th anniversary celebration, and from Miriam Pawel, who's written about the UFW for the past seven years, first at the LA Times , then as author of The Union of Their Dreams : Power, Hope, and Struggle in Cesar Chavez's Farm Worker Movement. She's currently working on a biography of Cesar Chavez.
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To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.