American Catholicism and Farm Labor Activism: The Farm Labor Aid Committee of Indiana as a Case Study

American Catholicism and Farm Labor Activism: The Farm Labor Aid Committee of Indiana as a Case Study

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: McLochlin, Dustin C.
Language:English
Published: Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK 2008
Subjects:
History
farm labor
midwest
ufw
migrant labor
Online Access:http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1219166598
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spelling ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-bgsu12191665982021-08-03T05:28:38Z American Catholicism and Farm Labor Activism: The Farm Labor Aid Committee of Indiana as a Case Study McLochlin, Dustin C. History farm labor midwest ufw migrant labor <p>While scholars have studied the United Farm Workers (UFW) in California from many angles, boycott activity outside of California is neglected in these studies. This thesis seeks to reorient the current literature on the UFW to the activity of outside supporters of the farm workers struggles in California. Specifically, this thesis investigates the actions of one advocacy group in Northern Indiana, the Farm Labor Aid Committee (FLAC), that moved to bolster boycott support in the Midwestern state in support of the UFW. By studying this group, one sees the connection between a national movement and its networks of local support. This thesis argues that the Catholic Church proved crucial for mobilizing supporters in Northern Indiana to the causes of migrant workers in California. Inspired by liberation theology, and the UFWs use of Catholic iconography, many Catholic Church members felt compelled to dedicate their time to publicly demonstrating their support for the UFW and its boycott efforts.</p><p>FLAC remained active throughout the late-1960s and early-1970s in supporting the activity of the national boycott. In the early years of the committee, the leadership focused solely on supporting the actions of the UFW and publicizing the activity of the union in Indiana. But as the movement progressed in the 1970s, FLAC moved to support an expansion of the UFW and farm labor organizing into Indiana. Ultimately, FLAC failed to contribute to any unionization in Indiana, but the activity of the small committee points to the strength of Catholicism in uniting a racially diverse group designed to support a union far removed from its home state. By providing networks of communication and unifying imagery with Catholic iconography, white Catholic students in South Bend, Indiana felt compelled to support largely Mexican-American migrant farm workers in California.</p> 2008-09-19 English text Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1219166598 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1219166598 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic History
farm labor
midwest
ufw
migrant labor
spellingShingle History
farm labor
midwest
ufw
migrant labor
McLochlin, Dustin C.
American Catholicism and Farm Labor Activism: The Farm Labor Aid Committee of Indiana as a Case Study
author McLochlin, Dustin C.
author_facet McLochlin, Dustin C.
author_sort McLochlin, Dustin C.
title American Catholicism and Farm Labor Activism: The Farm Labor Aid Committee of Indiana as a Case Study
title_short American Catholicism and Farm Labor Activism: The Farm Labor Aid Committee of Indiana as a Case Study
title_full American Catholicism and Farm Labor Activism: The Farm Labor Aid Committee of Indiana as a Case Study
title_fullStr American Catholicism and Farm Labor Activism: The Farm Labor Aid Committee of Indiana as a Case Study
title_full_unstemmed American Catholicism and Farm Labor Activism: The Farm Labor Aid Committee of Indiana as a Case Study
title_sort american catholicism and farm labor activism: the farm labor aid committee of indiana as a case study
publisher Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK
publishDate 2008
url http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1219166598
work_keys_str_mv AT mclochlindustinc americancatholicismandfarmlaboractivismthefarmlaboraidcommitteeofindianaasacasestudy
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