What is "Take Our Jobs"?
Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) became the first U.S. Senator to accept the UFW and the UFW Foundation's invitation to “Take Our Jobs” by working alongside farm workers in Moorpark, California. All 100 U.S. Senators were invited to take the challenge, but so far only two have accepted—Sen. Padilla is one of them.
Senator Alex Padilla (right), learning how to properly harvest parsley from a farm worker.
Challenge
On June 3, 2022, I arrived at the field at 6 a.m. with my camera ready to meet Senator Padilla to document his day working a full-time shift harvesting parsley and radishes alongside farm workers. I worked with the UFW and Senator Padilla's team on behalf of the UFW Foundations digital team.
Solution
I captured photos to share with our English-speaking followers on Instagram and Twitter as well as our Spanish-speaking followers on Facebook. The images were edited and curated into content to give our online audience an insight into the day.
Translation: POV: It’s sunrise and @SenAlexPadilla is beginning his day away from the office preparing to pick produce alongside hard-working farm workers to provide our nation with parsley and radishes #TakeOurJobs
After the farm workers met Senator Padilla they conducted a group stretch before heading over to the field to harvest parsley together.
In addition to farm workers providing lunch for everyone, they also told jokes and shared their experiences in the fields. And yes, we did witness Senator Padilla do his famous tortilla roll. After lunch, the day continued in the field learning how to pick, bundle, and load crates of radishes.
"Rad Senators pick radishes."
Result
The content we shared on our social media platforms resulted in an uproar of support from farm workers, activists, and allies. We even received likes and retweets from the Senator's social media accounts.
Capturing and sharing "You had to be there" moments that were not included in news articles and news segments in order to share one-of-a-kind content across our social media platforms.
Translation: 💪🏽 Challenge ACCEPTED: After a long day of harvesting parsley and radishes, @senalexpadilla was challenged by fellow farm workers to load the truck bed with crates. Padilla doesn’t say no to a challenge and is using that same determination to fight for #FarmWorkerLegalization. #TakeOurJobs
Personal Takeaway
Throughout the year farm workers have been at the forefront of climate change and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic making sure that families across the nation regardless of race, gender, or political stance are fed. Farm workers are without a doubt undervalued, underpaid, and underrepresented.
FARM WORK IS HARD WORK.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of empowerment when meeting the United States' first Latino Senator. We shared stories of our hometown in Pacoima, CA, and spoke of his earlier campaigns in local politics. Witnessing Senator Padilla work alongside farm workers made me hopeful for a more inclusive future.
My Role
I served as the Digital Media Coordinator for the UFW Foundation from May 2021–Present.