Beyond the Fields: Cesar Chavez, the UFW, and the Struggle for Justice in the 21st Century

by Randy Shaw

Cesar Chavez is the most prominent Latino in United States history books, and much has been written about Chavez and the United Farm Worker's heyday in the 1960s and '70s. But left untold has been their ongoing impact on 21st century social justice movements. Beyond the Fields unearths this legacy, and describes how Chavez and the UFW's imprint can be found in the modern reshaping of the American labor movement, the building of Latino political power, the transformation of Los Angeles and California politics, the fight for environmental justice, and the burgeoning national movement for immigrant rights. Many of the ideas, tactics, and strategies that Chavez and the UFW initiated or revived—including the boycott, the fast, clergy-labor partnerships and door-to-door voter outreach—are now so commonplace that their roots in the farmworkers' movement is forgotten.

This powerful book also describes how the UFW became the era's leading incubator of young activist talent, creating a generation of skilled alumni who went on to play critical roles in progressive campaigns. UFW volunteers and staff were dedicated to furthering economic justice, and many devoted their post-UFW lives working for social change. When Barack Obama adopted “Yes We Can” as his 2008 campaign theme, he confirmed that the spirit of “Si Se Puede” has never been stronger, and that it still provides the clearest roadmap for achieving greater social and economic justice in the United States.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Labor

368 pages, Hardcover

First published October 18, 2008

Reviews

[Emily Hanamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is the last one that I read in its entirety. Unfortunately I will not be listing any other books I only read parts of (I would literally need to include like 50+ books just from my two classes this semester)

[Soph Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great way to engage with a history I was unfamiliar with and take away very practical lessons. This was fantastic!

[Max Thien]

Read for HIST17C: History Of The United States From 1900-Present

[JohnP · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book about Caesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers (UFW). This is so much more than just another history of Chavez and the UFW. The author focuses on how the grassroots organizing efforts invented by Chavez and implemented within the UFW transformed labor organization. The level of detail and research in this book is phenomenal. It is truly amazing how far the UFW’s methods have penetrated into so many different areas of organization.

Along with the focus on organizing, the author goes out of his way to turn the spotlight on many of the lesser-known, but instrumental people within the UFW. The last chapter goes above and beyond and provides brief bios and “where are they now” profiles of almost 200 other UFW-related personnel.

This is truly a stunning book and a must for anyone who wants to understand how the UFW rose to prominence, and, sadly, how it also disintegrated by the late 1970s.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing quality and structure of this book only earned it 3 stars. But the content, and the fact that the author chose to cast light on his subject matter, earned it one more. It was really exciting to read a book that I had a personal stake in; I've never read a book where I personally knew many of the sources of interviews and such. It was fun.

[MsBrie]

Read an article by Shaw on Huffington Post. Look forward to reading this book

[Glen Gersmehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent window on one of the great leaders of nonviolence in the US