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Resisting coloniality in agriculture: A decolonial analysis of Florida’s agricultural migrant workers’ experiences

Author

Listed:
  • Whitney Stone

    (Oregon State University)

  • Jamie Loizzo

    (University of Florida)

  • Alison E. Adams

    (University of Florida)

  • Sebastian Galindo

    (University of Florida)

  • Cecilia Suarez

    (Tulane University)

  • Ricky Telg

    (University of Florida)

Abstract

The U.S. agricultural sector relies heavily on agricultural migrant workers, and Florida has a history of (im)migrant labor. However, this system is historically rooted in colonization, and its systems of oppression remain. Currently, migrant workers operate in various systems of oppression, including social, health, and environmental inequities, all of which have been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature regarding decoloniality, muted group theory, and decolonial intersectionality has a strong history of uncovering how multiple oppressions overlap for vulnerable and marginalized groups in the US. We draw on this literature to ask: 1) how can examining participants’ stories through decolonial intersectionality help explore structural and institutional racism and the dominance of muting? and 2) how can participants recount how they resist oppression and/or unmute in telling their stories? To answer these questions, literary portraits were co-created with farmworkers and community liaisons about participants’ experiences. The authors used decoloniality, muted group theory, and decolonial intersectionality to analyze participants’ creative non-fiction stories. Farmworkers recounted through their stories that they were often devalued, had their humanity questioned, and negotiated their survival, especially during COVID-19. However, they were able to resist the oppressions of coloniality through their families, faith, pride, and love. Recommendations include using storytelling techniques to align with farmworkers’ wants in research as well as assist in communicating about issues regarding health and safety. Non-profit organizations, centers of faith, and universities can assist in serving the needs of agricultural migrant workers related to childcare, food security, and worksite and home safety issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Whitney Stone & Jamie Loizzo & Alison E. Adams & Sebastian Galindo & Cecilia Suarez & Ricky Telg, 2024. "Resisting coloniality in agriculture: A decolonial analysis of Florida’s agricultural migrant workers’ experiences," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 41(4), pages 1725-1740, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:41:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s10460-024-10578-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10460-024-10578-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Douglas S. Massey & Kerstin Gentsch, 2014. "Undocumented Migration to the United States and the Wages of Mexican Immigrants," International Migration Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(2), pages 482-499, June.
    2. Seth M. Holmes, 2020. "Correction to: Migrant farmworker injury: temporality, statistical representation, eventfulness," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 37(1), pages 249-249, March.
    3. Sara A. Quandt & Natalie J. LaMonto & Dana C. Mora & Jennifer W. Talton & Paul J. Laurienti & Thomas A. Arcury, 2020. "COVID-19 Pandemic among Latinx Farmworker and Nonfarmworker Families in North Carolina: Knowledge, Risk Perceptions, and Preventive Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-17, August.
    4. Seth M. Holmes, 2020. "Migrant farmworker injury: temporality, statistical representation, eventfulness," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 37(1), pages 237-247, March.
    5. Luckstead, Jeff & Devadoss, Stephen, 2019. "The Importance of H-2A Guest Workers in Agriculture," Choices: The Magazine of Food, Farm, and Resource Issues, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 34(1), April.
    6. Leah F. Vosko & Tanya Basok & Cynthia Spring & Guillermo Candiz & Glynis George, 2022. "Understanding Migrant Farmworkers’ Health and Well-Being during the Global COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada: Toward a Transnational Conceptualization of Employment Strain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-19, July.
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