This Holiday Season, join farmworkers, Silvia Sabanilla, Oscar Otzoy, Lupe Gonzalo, and Lusvi Perez, and allies of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), Rev. Allison Farnum, Rev. Naomi King, Rabbi Lev Meirowitz Nelson, and Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster, in preparing to grow the light of farmworker justice throughout the new year. The season of Hanukkah, Advent, and the Solstice draws us into a time of anticipation and preparation with all who long for release from oppression. Through the Fair Food Program (FFP), the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, together with student and faith allies, kindles the flame of justice for farmworkers in the tomato fields of Immokalee and now on farms across seven states. Sign up today to receive this weekly Holiday reflection series and its calls to action in solidarity with farmworkers!
La Esperanza de Un Mundo Mejor por Oscar Otzoy
Oscar Otzoy es miembro del personal de trabajadores agrícolas de la Coalición de Trabajadores de Immokalee (CIW). Originaria de Guatemala, Oscar ha trabajado por años en la industria agrícola como trabajador agrícola migrante.
Isaías 61:11
“Porque como la tierra produce su renuevo, y como el huerto hace brotar su semilla, así Jehová el Señor hará brotar justicia y alabanza delante de todas las naciones.”
REFLEXION - Sin duda alguna, si algo podemos aprender con el libro de Isaías, en el versículo 11 donde nos muestra precisamente cómo la tierra hace brotar las semillas como Jehová el Señor hace brotar la justicia. También, nos enseña claramente el momento en que estamos en nuestra comunidad dónde vemos precisamente como las semillas en los campos de Immokalee han comenzado a dar sus frutos como la justicia ha llegado a oídos de los trabajadores. Nosotros, los trabajadores, tenemos la oportunidad de escuchar nuestros derechos que están incluidos en el programa de comida justa. Por primera vez en toda la historia de la industria agrícola, tenemos una voz para reportar libremente los abusos que vienen en diferentes direcciones.
Como miembro de la comunidad de Immokalee y trabajador del campo donde los abusos pasaban, veo que finalmente tenemos la oportunidad de gozar los derechos básicos que se ha logrado mediante los años de lucha de la Coalición de Trabajadores de Immokalee. Cabe mencionar que en el versículo 7 de Isaías dice “en vez de vergüenza mi pueblo recibirá doble porción” , podemos ver que, como trabajadores hemos sido parte de las injusticias, desigualdad y un trabajo no valorado pero no nos preocupemos así como muchos hemos sufrido. Debemos seguir perseverando en lo que ahora hemos logrado. Nos dice que si seguimos perseverando, podemos alcanzar doble bendición en nuestro trabajo y en nuestras vidas.
Adviento es el tiempo de espera pero todavía debemos tener gozo y amor en esta temporada. Haciendo una breve pausa a todo, nos referimos al doloroso año en que todos estamos viviendo la llegada del covid-19 a nuestra comunidad. Ha sido un obstáculo más en la vida de los trabajadores pero como de costumbre, nos solidarizamos y nos abrazamos aunque el abrazo sea de una distancia. Sin embargo, sentimos el Amor fraternal que une a nuestra comunidad. Aquí nos muestra que debemos de gozar con los que se gozan.
ORACIÓN - Dios, creador del cielo y de la tierra, te agradecemos por todas las bendiciones que nos das cada día. Gracias por darnos la oportunidad de perdonar a quienes nos han lastimado. Gracias por darnos la oportunidad de formar parte de la familia de quienes creen en la justicia y por las de personas que han creído en nosotros. Gracias por la fe. Hoy podemos confirmar lo que dice tu palabra. Te agradecemos en tu nombre y bendecimos a cada uno. Amen.
Hope for a Better World by Oscar Otzoy
Isaiah 61:11
"For as the earth produces its branch, and as the garden causes its seed to sprout, so the Lord God will cause justice and praise to spring up before all nations."
Reflection:
Without a doubt, if we can learn anything from the book of Isaiah, verse 11 where it shows us precisely how the earth makes the seeds sprout as the Lord God makes justice sprout. Also, it clearly shows us the moment in which we are in our community where we see precisely how the seeds in the fields of Immokalee have begun to bear fruit as justice has reached the ears of the workers. We workers have the opportunity to hear our rights that are included in the fair food program. For the first time in the entire history of the agricultural industry, we have a voice to freely report abuses that come from different directions.
As a member of the Immokalee community and a farmworker where the abuses were happening, I see that we finally have the opportunity to enjoy the basic rights that have been achieved through the years of struggle of the Immokalee Workers' Coalition. It should be mentioned that in verse 7 of Isaiah he says "instead of shame my people will receive a double portion", we can see that, as workers, we have been part of injustices, inequality, and an unvalued job but we do not worry as many have suffered. We must continue to persevere in what we have now achieved. It tells us that if we continue to persevere, we can achieve double blessings in our work and in our lives.
Advent is the time to wait but still have joy and love like this season. Taking a brief pause from everything, we refer to the painful year in which we are all experiencing the arrival of the covid-19 in our community. It has been one more obstacle in the lives of the workers, but as usual, we stand in solidarity and hug each other even though the hug is from a distance. However, we feel the brotherly Love that unites our community. Here he shows us that we should enjoy those who enjoy themselves.
Prayer:
God, creator of heaven and earth, we thank you for all the blessings you give us every day. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to forgive those who have hurt us. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be part of the family of those who believes in justice and of people who have believed in us. Thanks for the faith. Today we can confirm what your word says. We thank you in your name and we bless each one. Amen.
Searching for a gift that matters this Christmas? When you make a donation to the Fair Food Program in honor of someone, you gift goes to protect and advance farmworkers' human rights. And the Fair Food Program has beautiful holiday cards you can print or which can be emailed. Give a gift of justice, respect, and hope today.
About the Author:
Oscar Otzoy is a senior staff member and leader of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW). Mr. Otzoy, originally from Guatemala, worked in the agricultural industry across the East Coast for many years as a harvester in everything from tomatoes to blueberries. As part of the Fair Food Program, Mr. Otzoy and his colleagues conduct workers’ rights education in the fields on all farms participating in the Fair Food Program. Mr. Otzoy’s work at the CIW includes hosting daily radio shows on the CIW’s low-power community FM radio station, leading the weekly community meetings, receiving complaints of abuses in the fields, and managing wage theft claims. Finally, Mr. Otzoy represents the CIW at a national level, speaking publicly on the Fair Food Program and the Campaign for Fair Food, both during major actions with thousands of consumers and in dozens of presentations throughout the year.