Two countries. One man’s incredible story.
The story of the “Manong generation” of Filipinos in America is little known. These Filipinos left their homeland in the 1920s and 1930s in search of the American dream, only to be faced with bigotry and prejudice, slave wages and derisory work conditions, and extreme cultural pressures unique to the Filipino people. This situation was further exacerbated by the Great Depression, race-targeted laws, race riots in the fields, and the onset of World War II. In those days, it was dangerous just to be Filipino.
This is the story of one man who—through his intellect, ambition, and a quiet inner strength—persevered through these times.
These memoirs chronicle the life of my father, Manuel L. Luz, a very unique first-generation Filipino-American: from his childhood and immigration to the United States at the age of 19; through his perseverance in the canneries of Alaska and the fields of the western states; to his striving to build a life as an entrepreneur and correctional officer; to his six decades of dedicated service as a politician, civic leader, and civil rights activist; and even as a husband, father, and friend. Through it all, he quietly fought the battle against discrimination and injustice—in the fields and workplaces, in the bureaucratic and the political arenas, and in the hearts of the people.
This second edition was released on the twentieth anniversary of his passing, and includes extensive commentary by myself, both historical and personal. The commentary helps to contextualize a story that is historically important, sociologically consequential, and personally revealing. Simply put, this is a must-read for all those interested in the history of the Filipino-American.
“Community leader with a stormy past, Manuel L. Luz managed to win the toughest of all fights—the fight against discrimination.” James Denison, Monterey Peninsula Herald (July 12, 1981)
Adventures in Faith & Art 