dagblog - Comments for "Immokalee: A Grass Roots Journey to a Penny a Pound and a Victory of the Meek"

The shame of it is that it's

Ramona — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 15:58:11 +0000

In reply to I live in SW Florida. Many

The shame of it is that it's been going on for decades without any kind of real interference from the authorities. Money talks--always. But now that we know, there's no excuse for allowing these abuses.

There is no such thing as "illegitimate" when it comes to human rights.

I live in SW Florida. Many

trkingmomoe — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 06:53:52 +0000

In reply to Immokalee: A Grass Roots Journey to a Penny a Pound and a Victory of the Meek

I live in SW Florida. Many of the tomatoe pickers have immigrated from Central Mexico and speak a native language called Mexicalia. This makes it hard for them to join the latino community because they have to learn Spanish as well as English. Which is why they have stayed isolated in Lee County and easily abused. This has been going on for decades and most of the childern do manage to get educated. They are hard working and have a colorful culture and music.

The powerful sugar cane growers are also guilty of abuse.

AD, thanks for that. The

Ramona — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:30:21 +0000

In reply to Oh, you've done something,

AD, thanks for that. The illegal immigration issue is a tough one, with no easy answers, but when we cut through the numbers and the facts we end up with real people with real problems and that's hard to get past. I live in a state with massive joblessness and plenty of hurt, but really--there's enough empathy to go around. The abuse of human rights never seems to take a holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving to you, as well. I'm thankful for so many things, not least of which is meeting wonderful people like you.

Oh, you've done something,

AmericanDreamer — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:06:11 +0000

In reply to Good job, Atheist. Makes me

Oh, you've done something, Ramona.

An unpopular view with some here, I know (because none of the steps that might effectively address it are popular or even acceptable to many here), but I believe that so long as the illegal immigration issue remains in play, the extent of vulnerability of illegal immigrants in this country to such exploitation is going to continue to be extremely difficult to address. People who have no legal status are inherently marginal and vulnerable to abuse. The whole immigration mess stinks to high heaven. It is a blight on our country's record on human rights.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. I count among my many blessings at this season that there are people such as you, Ramona, who care and have spirit and strength to resist and make a ruckus for justice.

Good job, Atheist. Makes me

Ramona — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 02:36:11 +0000

In reply to I don't live near a Publix,

Good job, Atheist. Makes me wish I lived near one just so I could DO something!

You have to wonder what's

Ramona — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 02:35:12 +0000

In reply to My very first job was as a

You have to wonder what's going on in their heads. Haven't they heard. . .? There might be more to this part of the story, but I'm not seeing it. It's a head-scratcher.

I don't live near a Publix,

Atheist — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 02:16:11 +0000

In reply to Immokalee: A Grass Roots Journey to a Penny a Pound and a Victory of the Meek

I don't live near a Publix, but I've passed this story along to friends and family that do! Thanks for the information!

My very first job was as a

LisB — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 01:30:00 +0000

In reply to Immokalee: A Grass Roots Journey to a Penny a Pound and a Victory of the Meek

My very first job was as a cashier at Publix in Plantation, Florida. I was 17 when I got hired. I think I'll spend some time this week writing some shaming letters to as many management addresses as I can find for them. Thanks for this great follow-up post, Ramona.