Tag: Public relations

Undocumented Workers in Agriculture: How States can Protect Them

Presenter: Alexis Stinnett – Public Relations

Faculty Mentor(s): Corbett Upton

Session: (In-Person) Oral Panel—Rights of Humans

Agriculture has been and still is the foundation of our economy, and we rely on it to keep our country running. Even in today’s industrialized agriculture system we still see the need for labor in the fields for the backbreaking jobs that cannot yet be done by machines. It is not uncommon that these physically and mentally demanding jobs are typically occupied by undocumented immigrants, who make up about 50% of our work force. Researchers and historians have spent years looking at the history of farm labor in our country, and it is no surprise that in almost every instance it leads back to undocumented labor. Despite our society and economy’s dependence on undocumented workers, there are little to no regulations in place to protect or guarantee them the basic rights that other employees in different fields of work enjoy. The lack of rights and policy around agricultural labor allows for undocumented immigrants to be put in dangerous situations in the workplace as well as making it increasingly easy for them to be exploited. As our system has progressed, our policies and laws have not. There are a variety of social, economic, and political factors that prevent the federal government from passing the legislation that is needed to protect undocumented workers. Because of these factors that prevent the federal government from making the necessary changes, state governments must take initiative and prioritize passing policies to protect undocumented agricultural workers.

Everyone’s Business? How Eugene Downtown Businesses Responded to #BLM and #StopAsianHate

Presenter: Cassie Cole — Public relations

Faculty Mentor(s): Dr. Donnalyn Pompper

Session: (In-Person) Oral Panel—Diversity and Analysis

The 2020 Black Lives Matter movement made international headlines as a powerful push for racial equality in the United States. Media coverage on the movement helped BLM supporters gain support throughout the country, but the Stop Asian Hate movement in 2021 did not garner the same level of media coverage. The purpose of this research is to examine the causes and incentives that determined whether Eugene business owners chose to support these two social movements. This study asks the question: How did the recent social movements generate support from Eugene business owners and how was this reflected in the businesses themselves? Surveys and interviews were used to analyze why and what incentivized Eugene businesses’ response to the BLM and Stop Asian Hate movements. Business owners were asked to explain their response to these movements and the channels through which they received their information. Using Critical Race Theory, study responses were analyzed to find that the difference in media coverage between the two movements caused the BLM movement to be more heavily supported by Eugene business owners. BLM held a large physical and social media presence, allowing them to generate more attention for their cause. The findings of this research emphasizes the growing necessity of social media and social interactions for the growth of a movement. Rather than mainstream media coverage, it is often the opinion of one’s friends and peers that ultimately influences social justice.