On Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the Norman Levan Center, the History Club hosted a special screening of the very educational documentary film “American Agitators” which discusses topics like racism, bigotry, and greed.

The room was packed with people and food was available to eat for free. Families, students, and even professors showed up to watch this amazing documentary film.

The film which is based on a true story focuses primarily on the life and legacy of Fred Ross Sr. but also tells a story about the life of Mexican Americans living in California during a time of racism and segregation.

This film screening talked about labor in Kern County, specifically in Arvin and Delano. Kern County had a very significant part in the making of this film. It also had some amazing local history for the people living in Kern County.

The film was spoken in English, but the subtitles were in Spanish for those who speak Spanish which was fitting for a film about Mexican Americans.

Some of the interviews in the “American Agitators” film includes that of Dolores Huerta, a famous American labor leader, Fred Ross Jr. who is the son of Fred Ross Sr., Nancy Pelosi who is an American political figure, and many other friends and families of those affected.

Oliver Rosales who is a professor of History says, “Bakersfield history and Kern County history is really important to the labor movement and helps uncover that.”

This film is meant to motivate and to inspire a new generation of activists.

Andrew Vue who is the Vice President of the History Club says, “I do think it’s important because participating and actively trying to build and feeling that inspiration.”

“Professor Oliver Rosales did promote it to me and a large connection involved in it, being part of the Central Valley as it relates to everything, local history is there” Andrew Vue says.

The film overall was amazing and showed the discrimination of Mexican Americans not only in California but also in the whole of the United States.