For the last four and a half years, Victor’s been working on dairy farms in the Northeast. Like 11 million other people in this country, he’s undocumented. I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve always assumed I knew this story already…like it was some kind of composite story of the ‘Mexican migrant farm worker experience’. The worst part is, I didn’t even know I was assuming this. I guess I didn’t really have to think about it. The story didn’t have a lot to do with me.
But last week President Trump started making good on his promises to ramp up deportations of undocumented people in this country–people who pay 12 billion dollars in US taxes every year–but don’t have US documents.
Victor’s a friend of a friend of mine, and I won’t say where he works but these friends of friends are my neighbors, and yours. My friend, we’ll call her ‘T’, agreed to do some translating, along with her brand new baby. We visited Victor at his apartment on the dairy farm where he works. This is his story.
Credits
The music for this show was made by the amazing Amelia Meath, and her band Sylvan Esso. Thank you so much Amelia for humming in your bathroom, your car and on the street. Her other group is a trio of women called Mountain Man. Music that will make your hair stand up.
I want to thank all the excellent farm workers I met in making this show. And thanks so much to A and A, and T for her wonderful presence and a memorable drive.
This is probably the most important story you’ve ever told. Sad, sad, sad. Thank-you for producing it.
Thank you for listening Phyllis.I appreciate it a lot.
How can we have a president without any humanity?
Amelia Meath is my new hero. What an incredible combination of this story and that voice. Thank you for introducing me to this rare talent!
Wonderful. Very important, Erica.
This made me miss friends who I’ve lost touch with even more so. Real and caring people.
All this stress and hate was so unnecessary.
I can’t even fathom the heartlessness of the current president. These people are hardworking human beings that contribute to our society and support their families. Such real caring people. Why all the hate? Love is the answer. Love and compassion for our fellow man.
This is such a beautiful episode! Music is great, too. Thank you.
What an articulate, insightful man “Victor” is. Heartbreaking that he and others have to work so hard and live in fear, far from their families. I also wonder what changed when he was a kid in Mexico that made the economy tank…and whether US corporate malfeasance had something to do with it. Call me cynical. Imagine if Victor could have the time, education, and funding to develop his obvious talents, either here or in Mexico, wherever he wanted.
I love your work, Erica. What is the name of the song? I looked up Amelia’s bands and couldn’t find it.
Mari
Mari.vermont@gmail.com
Hi Mari. I love that song. It’s called Come Down…I’ll send you a link and if I don’t, email me…!
Thank you!
My very first job was working at the nearest dairy farm in E Randolph about 1965 when I was 15. It was hard work and endless that took everything I had. And you come home and smell like shit all the time and family & friends tell you are bad smelling. The farmer’s son, about my age, was digging silage out of an silo and it collapsed on him and he smothered. His dad came by and saw his kids legs sticking out but it was too late. It was long, hard tedious work that payed in raw milk, eggs and meat when a cow had to be put down or died. We took it and a pressured cooked into something edible, and with a barrel of apples and one of potatoes to last the winter, that was how it was. But I got out as soon as I could when silo time came around again. it was enough for me. Thanks for the memories. PF
So…he had an angel…but she wasn’t enough. Now, what do we do to help. Such a story. Thank you. My heart is aching for this poor world, but an aching heart is not enough.
This one broke my heart. I love the voice portraits you bring us (and in that, I include your own). It’s like an arm reaching thru the radio beckoning me to hear them, think about them and feel them.
Victor’s comments about wanting to share a beautiful place, our country, and his life with his parents whom he hasn’t seen in a long time had me in tears. How can we ignore his dignity and honor for that? This one really lingers. A remarkable, poignant interview. thank you.
This morning (3/9/17) I was driving to the dairy farm where I have been teaching English to some of the farm workers and I heard your program, ‘Your Neighbor,” on Rumble Strip broadcast on Vermont Public Radio. This was a very powerful piece and I want to congratulate you and “Victor” for producing this marvelous description of what life is like for the Mexican dairy farm workers. The politicians in Washington DC need to reckon with the absolute necessity of having these workers in the United States, because without them, our agricultural industries would not function. Victor and other dairy farm workers like him are indispensable to the economy of Vermont, and this is true across the nation. Truly, a beautiful piece of reporting and an important story to share with more people.
Well put, Doug. I couldn’t agree with you more.