Violence

    Structural Violence: Violence committed by configurations of social inequalities that, in the end, has injurious effects on bodies similar to the violence of a stabbing or shooting.

“Must of the structural violence in the US today is organised along the fault lines of class, race, citizenship, gender and sexuality“ - Seth Holmes (FFBB)

The Tanaka Brothers Farm

Largest farm in the Skagit Valley.

Family farm is owned and run by third generation Japanese Americans

“Everyone on the Tanaka farm is structurally vulnerable although the characteristics and depth of vulnerability change depending on one’s position within the labour structure“

The White Crew

Working conditions are much better compared to Mexican Picker

Are allowed to keep their job no matter their job performance

“It’s not that bad, really“ The indifference implied from this quote, shows the gap in treatment, wages, and labour conditions over all. They experience temporary pain due to race.

“Knee pain is only temporary“

The Mexican Crew

Apple picking jobs are most sought after, highest paid.

They get called “dogs“ and “dumb donkeys“ by their bosses. This dehumanizing language highlights the systemic racism and prejudice that these workers face daily, which perpetuates cycles of poverty and marginalization.

Many workers don’t eat or drink before work to avoid needing breaks, which further exacerbates their exploitation and unhealthy working conditions.

Some workers work simultaneously with both hands in order to work more efficiently, and make the minimum. When they’re told to walk faster so they can deliver the berries faster, they’re criticised for letting the berries fall, however when they walk too slow in order to ensure none of the berries fall,they’’re instructed to walk faster. Some of the checkers don’t count some of the berries to not pay the workers as much.

Triqui workers face health issues such as Idiopathic back, knee pains, diabetes type 2 to premature births.