- 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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How was the trip? President Trump's travels got less fun as he went from the Middle East to Europe.
To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?