The Quintessential Jose Carlos Ramirez
Jose Carlos Ramirez understands and empathizes with the plight of agricultural workers as well as anyone, because it’s not that long ago that he was one of them.
The WBC super lightweight world champion from Avenal, California, employed the work ethic and applied it in the searing and sweltering summer heat of the pepper fields near his home.
From 6 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon, the teenaged Ramirez would do the back-breaking work of picking peppers, with temperatures often soaring to as high as 115 degrees.
He’d leave this to go to a two-hour boxing workout, and then leave his boxing workout to go to soccer practice. It was in those formative years that the teak toughness formed within him and to this very day, defines him as one of the world’s elite boxers.
He’s never forgotten his roots and he’s always fought for the people in his hometown. The agricultural workers in California’s Central Valley continue to work the fields during the coronavirus pandemic at considerable risk to themselves, to make sure the food supply chain remains open.
They are unsung heroes in this pandemic, and while medical professionals rightly are lauded as heroic figures, so, too, are the people responsible for making sure there is food to put on everyone’s table.
Ramirez partnered with local businesses to assist these workers, who often toil such long hours that when they get to the grocery store after the work day is finished, the shelves are empty.
Along with local Drs. Juan Bautista and Ignacio Guzman as well as other political and business leaders in the Central Valley, Ramirez is helping to put together a minimum of 1,000 boxes containing essential household items to bring to these workers. The boxes will include toilet paper, facial tissue, detergent, cleaning supplies, non-perishable food and preventative health items.
They’ve also started a GoFundMe to take donations for the project.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/ag-workers-support-fund
Ramirez has been socially active throughout his life and has fought for the rights of immigrants who often don’t speak the language and are unaware of how to get help. Several years ago during a drought, he fought hard for water rights for them.
Ramirez noted that it’s these workers who ensure there is fresh produce on supermarket shelves for people across the country.
It’s one of the many causes he’s willingly undertaken during his life, to fight for those who are often ignored and overlooked. He said there will also be protective equipment included for the workers.
He’s one of the world’s best boxers, but if he lost his next 50 fights, he’d remain a hero to those in the Central Valley who have benefitted for so long from his dedication to them and willingness to fight for their rights.
