Mexican, Filipino Farmworkers Formed Alliance in Delano Grape Strike, as Researched by Professor Mabalon

DIVERSE ISSUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION -- “It became clear to [labor activist Larry Itliong] that Mexicans were the key to the success of the strike,” said the late Dawn Mabalon, a History professor at San Francisco State who was working on a book on Itliong at the time of her death three years ago. “The only way to win was with each other.”

Mabalon said that without cooperation, Filipinos would be used as scabs if Mexicans went on strike, and Mexicans would be scab labor if the Filipinos were on strike.

“The strike fused the community,” Mabalon said.