Charlas (chats) in workers' centers: Dialogue and conflict to promote social justice

The lived experiences of jornaleros or day laborers on the street are expressed in non-formal learning sessions, called charlas or chats, held in community based workers' centers. The charlas create a space where participants can come together to learn practices and positions to promote their economic and social sustainability. The curriculum space opened by participants and facilitators is grounded in shared power/knowledge and dialogue.

This presentation will share examples of the language functions that were demonstrated in the charlas showing a continuum from contestation and conflict to convergence and conciliation. For example, the quote: “If it doesn't hit me in the face..” is part of an exchange at Latino Union where Luis and Mario (pseudonyms) talked about their reluctance to use personal protective equipment. They discussed that, even if they are told using masks or gloves will keep them healthy, they do not like to use PPE until the need or consequences of non-use “hits them in the face.” Discussion leading to evaluation of discourse by participants immersed in power/knowledge relationships is one outcome of the charlas in the workers' centers.

The funds of knowledge approach holds that Latina/os develop and sustain themselves and their families through conversation and practice across generations. Workers' centers are places where funds of knowledge “with legs” can be shared by participants and where support, questioning and resistance to social agency has been documented.