Guest guest Posted November 12, 2007 Report Share Posted November 12, 2007 Adelphi University has recently released this stale report entitled " The Hudson Valley Farmworker Report: Understanding the Needs and Aspirations of a Voiceless Population " produced by Adelphi Professor Margaret Gray. There are some key facts about the report and lead researcher the public needs to know before forming an opinion, let alone formulating any public policy based on the report. 1. The lead researcher's strong biases critically shapes and taints the data and, more significantly, the findings or conclusions of the report. Margaret Gray is not a neutral, unbiased, dispassionate researcher. She did not use a third party to collect data which she then honestly examined. She did not then draw conclusions based on that collected data that weren't heavily influenced by an agenda or bias on her part. She is a long time board member for the self-appointed farmworker advocate organization Rural and Migrant Ministry. For many years she has actively worked to implement Rural and Migrant Ministry's legislative lobbying agenda (ending a number of New York State labor law exemptions in regards to agricultural employment). Gray started with a conclusion (the implementation of the Rural and Migrant Ministry's legislative lobbying agenda) and either manufactured or cherry-picked data to back that agenda. In 1993 the Agricultural Program Leader for the Cornell ative Extension (CCE) office of Orange County, Lucy Joyce, proposed conducting a farmworker survey of local farmworker's concerns and needs. I have in my possession a letter Joyce received (dated 7/9/93) from the then Cornell Migrant Program (CMP) Director Herb Engman regarding CCE of Orange County doing a farmworker survey/census. Engman in part stated: " Once again, I advise extreme caution on the question of the census of farmworkers, especially migrant farmworkers. You must establish a clear definition of migrant farmworker (there are several, usually based on eligibility standards for the various federal programs). Then you must have a defensible strategy for collecting the data which, as Professor Chi points out, is unusually difficult. It is usually advisable to have an independent body conduct the research; those with a vested interest will be accused of 'cooking' the data. If the Orange County Association is to be connected to the survey, I would further advise that you link with a campus researcher who can help design the plan and defend the methodology. As you can tell, I am nervous about such a survey unless it can be done right. My involvement in research has been rather extensive even though I am not a researcher; I would not touch this effort unless I had total confidence in the research plan and the researcher.' " (Emphasis mine) When one considers Gray's obvious vested interest in this issue and with these self- appointed advocate groups Engman's advice to Joyce regarding conducting survey research seems eerily prescient. 2. The interview sample on which the Hudson Valley Farmworker Report is based is not only tainted by the researcher's agenda but it is also woefully inadequate and statistically insignificant and has no basis to make any broader claims or conclusions beyond the sample pool. The Hudson Valley Farmworker Report on page 6 states: " Our interviews were conducted with 113 farmworkers on 19 farms in the Hudson Valley region in the fall of 2002. The sample of workers represents farms of different sizes and farms engaged in different tasks. Of the 19 farms, 13 were fruit orchards (mostly apples), two were primarily engaged in growing vegetables, two were nurseries, one was a sod farm, and one was a combination of fruit orchard and vegetable farm. This is a small percentage of Hudson Valley farmworkers. " Regarding the sample the report itself (in a moment of surprising honesty and candor) then states very plainly (also on page 6): " The data presented in this report offer a full demographic profile of the Hudson Valley agricultural workforce that we interviewed. " The study used a small group for interviews so they could get more in-depth information. Great. But then to extrapolate this information and imply that it is of statistical significance is equally absurd and outrageous. The aforementioned admission is a very telling statement -- the data only represents the workforce interviewed -- certainly not the larger one of the Hudson Valley, let alone New York State at large. Yet this is what Gray attempts to do. The press release for the report states: " 'The report sends an important message because it explains how and why the state's farmworkers are such a vulnerable population,' said Dr. Margaret Gray, Adelphi University Professor who conceived the research and wrote the report. " http://events.adelphi.edu/news/2007/20071023.php To claim that information gathered by a very biased researcher from 13 fruit orchards, 2 vegetable farms, 2 nurseries, 1 sod farm and 1 combination fruit and vegetable farm can possibly represent the needs/concerns/perceptions of 20,000 or more agricultural employees statewide is laughable. No, this report can only make statements or conclusions regarding the miniscule number of farmworkers interviewed, not regarding farmworkers statewide. Even if she interviewed 113 genuine farmworkers and she was honest in how she conducted the interviews, the fact is a sample of 113 people, not taken from a cross section of farms across New York State but from one region (which she acknowledges in research work based on her dissertation research " reflects the general characteristics of workers in five counties, and not all of the state's farmworkers " ), cannot legitimately claim to represent the concerns of 20,000 individuals. The size and the methods she employed to determine her sample aren't valid for her to make the sweeping claims she makes regarding worker motivations, needs and/or perceptions. Finally, the overview of the study states: " The Hudson Valley Farmworker Report is the first in-depth study of the state's farmworkers in 30 years. " http://events.adelphi.edu/news/farmworkers/ That's simply not true. Various elements of Cornell University have conducted a number of in-depth studies regarding New York State farmworkers over the years. These studies include two studies which Gray made reference to in a paper she presented at an academic conference in April of 2005 (which was based on her dissertation research). The first study is entitled " Immigrants and the Community: Integrating the Needs of Immigrant Workers and Rural Communities, " by Max J. Pfeffer and Pilar A Parra (released November 2004). http://rnyi.cornell.edu/poverty_and_social_inequality/000174.php The second study is entitled " Survey of Hispanic Dairy Workers in New York State " by R. Maloney and C. Grusenmeyer (released February 2005). The Executive Summary, in part states: " The survey included 111 Hispanic employees on 60 New York dairy farms. These farms are situated in 17 counties and distributed fairly evenly across the State. " http://aem.cornell.edu/research/researchpdf/rb0502.pdf A fair and honest comparison of the data gathering and the research methodologies of these Cornell studies versus Gray's research clearly exposes the anemic scholarship, structural weaknesses and deep biases that cripple " The Hudson Valley Farmworker Report. " Pawelski > > Cherie Arias (carias@...) has sent you a web page. > (Email address not verified.) > > -------------------------------- > Personal Message: > > Hi! > > I thought you would find this link interesting. > > http://events.adelphi.edu/news/farmworkers/ > ================================ > Adelphi University > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2007 Report Share Posted November 13, 2007 Cherie, excuse me for being concerned about research like this. I assume Ms. Margaret Gray speaks and is fluent in Spanish right? Otherwise how could she have such a “comprehensive study.” If you don’t know the language or the culture, please do not profess to be an expert in the area, especially in front of the Latino community. Sincerely, Rene Quintana Del Norte From: Groups [mailto: Groups] On Behalf Of Cherie Arias Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 7:40 AM Migrant Research Group Subject: [ ] Adelphi University Cherie Arias (cariassjfmc (DOT) org) has sent you a web page. (Email address not verified.) -------------------------------- Personal Message: Hi! I thought you would find this link interesting. http://events.adelphi.edu/news/farmworkers/ ================================ Adelphi University Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2007 Report Share Posted November 13, 2007 I don't know a lot about her since I just heard her at a conference I attended. She gave her talk in English and she said she had interviewers (as well as herself). However, the way she spoke about her work she seemed to have a communication with them that could only be done if she was bilingual. I'm sure you could contacted her if you were interested in knowing. -----Original Message-----From: Rene J. Quintana [mailto:rquintana@...]Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:14 PM' Groups'Subject: RE: [ ] Adelphi University Cherie, excuse me for being concerned about research like this. I assume Ms. Margaret Gray speaks and is fluent in Spanish right? Otherwise how could she have such a “comprehensive study.” If you don’t know the language or the culture, please do not profess to be an expert in the area, especially in front of the Latino community. Sincerely, Rene Quintana Del Norte From: Groups [mailto: Groups] On Behalf Of Cherie AriasSent: Monday, November 12, 2007 7:40 AMMigrant Research GroupSubject: [ ] Adelphi University Cherie Arias (cariassjfmc (DOT) org) has sent you a web page.(Email address not verified.)--------------------------------Personal Message:Hi!I thought you would find this link interesting.http://events.adelphi.edu/news/farmworkers/================================Adelphi University Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 Wewll, I know a lot about Gray and her crappy " research, " or " artistic work " as her Adelphi biopage puts it: http://www.adelphi.edu/faculty/profiles/profile.php?PID=0390. This designation makes sense when one factors in the amount of fiction she generates in her research. Anyone can feel free to e-mail me at evep@... and I'll gladly e-mail you a great deal of material regarding Gray's research, including a piece of mine written a couple of years ago that dealt in part with this farce of study she produced while at Bard. Gray is actively involved with a couple of self-appointed farmworker advocate groups and the conclusions of this study were foreordained. The " research " was generated to bolster the pre-determined conclusions were are designed to legitimize these organizations' legislative lobbying agenda. Period. It's junk social science. Chris > > I don't know a lot about her since I just heard her at a conference I > attended. She gave her talk in English and she said she had interviewers (as > well as herself). However, the way she spoke about her work she seemed to > have a communication with them that could only be done if she was bilingual. > I'm sure you could contacted her if you were interested in knowing. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Rene J. Quintana [mailto:rquintana@...] > Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:14 PM > ' @...' > Subject: RE: [ ] Adelphi University > > > > > > > Cherie, excuse me for being concerned about research like this. I assume > Ms. Margaret Gray speaks and is fluent in Spanish right? Otherwise how > could she have such a " comprehensive study. " If you don't know the language > or the culture, please do not profess to be an expert in the area, > especially in front of the Latino community. > > > > Sincerely, > > > > Rene Quintana > > Del Norte > > > > > _____ > > > From: @... > [mailto: @...] On Behalf Of Cherie Arias > Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 7:40 AM > Migrant Research Group > Subject: [ ] Adelphi University > > > > Cherie Arias ( cariassjfmc (DOT) <mailto:carias%40sjfmc.org> org) has sent you a > web page. > (Email address not verified.) > > -------------------------------- > Personal Message: > > Hi! > > I thought you would find this link interesting. > > http://events. <http://events.adelphi.edu/news/farmworkers/> > adelphi.edu/news/farmworkers/ > ================================ > Adelphi University > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 I had started to reply to Rene Quintana’s comments and question about Dr. Gray’s linguistic and cultural competencies or background to simply point out that some of the best advocates we have in the research arena are in fact non-Hispanics and conversely there is a host of Hispanics who perpetuate cultural misconceptions and bias against Hispanics. I did read Dr. Gray’s report and found it both scientifically and culturally responsive as well as consistent with similar research on similar communities elsewhere in the country. Rene’s inquiry was within the “ethical” range of discourse as he was seeking to affirm the need for credible research based on cultural and linguistic domains that the research enterprise needs to conform to. I guess we could state that if health care providers must work in concert with the national standards for culturally and linguistically appropriate health care, the research community should conduct its research within these standards since public policy and practice are often based on the outcome of research. Having said this, I do take issue with the ethics within which Pawelki addressed Dr. Gray’s work as I found the attack to be personal and unsubstantiated and may be construed as slanderous and defamatory. Having done her work under the auspices of an institution of higher education, the research conducted by Dr. was within acceptable standards as all institutions must first approve any research before the investigator engages in the research phase of her/his work and the outcome of the research especially if it is to be published must also go through a peer review process at least within the institution. I do not blame the perpetrator of injustices to act on her/his defense but I do challenge those who deviate from ethical and legal standards as I feel has been the case by P against Ms. Gray and I base my assessment on my research on the work of both parties. The following is an excerpt from a letter to the editor published in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, November 9, 2004: Farmworker plight is moral issue In an Oct. 8 Speaking Out essay, farmer Pawelski attacked Rural & Migrant Ministry (RMM) and the Roman Catholic and Episcopal dioceses of Rochester for standing with farmworkers seeking just and fair living and working conditions. However, Pawelski neglected to mention that hundreds of other religious congregations and groups in New York stand together with farmworkers in their efforts, including Methodist, Presbyterian, Jewish, Unitarian, United Church of Christ, Quakers, Baptist, Pentecostal, Reformed and Lutheran, among others. He also failed to mention the support of hundreds of community groups, student groups and labor organizations. For 25 years RMM has actively committed to stand with farmworkers. Attacks against RMM, or against the communities of faith, are nothing new. Members of churches and faith communities, who put their morals and values into action by seeking to build a more just society, who struggled for women's rights, civil rights and the abolition of slavery, were similarly attacked and criticized in their efforts to work for justice and to stand with their fellow brothers and sisters. I can only assume that the Paweski referenced on this letter to the editor is the same person questioning the integrity of Dr. Gray’s research in which case I can understand the motive for wanting to discredit her work and to question the advocacy of those seeking to document the status of migrant workers and their plight for social justice. Non-corporate family farmers have become as much victims of the system but we cannot ignore the political capital with which they are able to sway the political and other institutional systems for their self preservation while sustaining a much more dehumanizing and oppressive system of victimization against farmworkers and undocumented immigrants in a more retaliatory way. o Freire had something to say about this phenomenon of human behavior. Respectfully submitted, Alfonso Tradition, Transition, Transformation Alfonso López-Vasquez Assistant Professor Assistant to the Provost for Diversity Pacific University 2043 College Way Forest Grove, OR 97116 503-352-3104 From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of chris_pawelski Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 8:41 AM Subject: [ ] Re: Adelphi University Wewll, I know a lot about Gray and her crappy " research, " or " artistic work " as her Adelphi biopage puts it: http://www.adelphi.edu/faculty/profiles/profile.php?PID=0390. This designation makes sense when one factors in the amount of fiction she generates in her research. Anyone can feel free to e-mail me at evepwarwick (DOT) net and I'll gladly e-mail you a great deal of material regarding Gray's research, including a piece of mine written a couple of years ago that dealt in part with this farce of study she produced while at Bard. Gray is actively involved with a couple of self-appointed farmworker advocate groups and the conclusions of this study were foreordained. The " research " was generated to bolster the pre-determined conclusions were are designed to legitimize these organizations' legislative lobbying agenda. Period. It's junk social science. Chris > > I don't know a lot about her since I just heard her at a conference I > attended. She gave her talk in English and she said she had interviewers (as > well as herself). However, the way she spoke about her work she seemed to > have a communication with them that could only be done if she was bilingual. > I'm sure you could contacted her if you were interested in knowing. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Rene J. Quintana [mailto:rquintana@...] > Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:14 PM > ' @...' > Subject: RE: [ ] Adelphi University > > > > > > > Cherie, excuse me for being concerned about research like this. I assume > Ms. Margaret Gray speaks and is fluent in Spanish right? Otherwise how > could she have such a " comprehensive study. " If you don't know the language > or the culture, please do not profess to be an expert in the area, > especially in front of the Latino community. > > > > Sincerely, > > > > Rene Quintana > > Del Norte > > > > > _____ > > > From: @... > [mailto: @...] On Behalf Of Cherie Arias > Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 7:40 AM > Migrant Research Group > Subject: [ ] Adelphi University > > > > Cherie Arias ( cariassjfmc (DOT) <mailto:carias%40sjfmc.org> org) has sent you a > web page. > (Email address not verified.) > > -------------------------------- > Personal Message: > > Hi! > > I thought you would find this link interesting. > > http://events. <http://events.adelphi.edu/news/farmworkers/> > adelphi.edu/news/farmworkers/ > ================================ > Adelphi University > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 Here we go. You said: " I did read Dr. Gray's report and found it both scientifically and culturally responsive as well as consistent with similar research on similar communities elsewhere in the country. " What?????? Similiar to research done on " Sesame Street " maybe, but it doesn't hold a candle to the studies Gray cited in her dissertation work from Cornell, and then ignored when this stale study was released. As the I already stated: " Our interviews were conducted with 113 farmworkers on 19 farms in the Hudson Valley region in the fall of 2002. The sample of workers represents farms of different sizes and farms engaged in different tasks. Of the 19 farms, 13 were fruit orchards (mostly apples), two were primarily engaged in growing vegetables, two were nurseries, one was a sod farm, and one was a combination of fruit orchard and vegetable farm. This is a small percentage of Hudson Valley farmworkers. " Regarding the sample the report itself (in a moment of surprising honesty and candor) then states very plainly (also on page 6): " The data presented in this report offer a full demographic profile of the Hudson Valley agricultural workforce that we interviewed. " The study used a small group for interviews so they could get more in-depth information. Great. But then to extrapolate this information and imply that it is of statistical significance is equally absurd and outrageous. The aforementioned admission is a very telling statement -- the data only represents the workforce interviewed -- certainly not the larger one of the Hudson Valley, let alone New York State at large. Pleasee, don't tell me this study as any statistical validity. It doesn't, beyond the people she interviewed, and based on her codified agenda one has to take what she reports her respondents supposedly claimed with DUMPTRUCK LOADS OF SALT. You said: " Having said this, I do take issue with the ethics within which Pawelki addressed Dr. Gray's work as I found the attack to be personal and unsubstantiated and may be construed as slanderous and defamatory. " You found it to be because you don't know a fraction of what you are talking about. As I invited anyone on this board to e-mail me I will send you copious materials that back my assertions. The claim about my attack being " slanderous and defamatory " had me falling out of my chair in laughter. It's Gray and the people she listens to, mouth agape, with drool flowing, that consistently misrepresent the facts regarding the living and working conditions of farmworkers in NYS and the laws associated with them. Again, anyone can e-mail me and I'll provide the material. Further, it was Gray, in the course of doing her dissertation " research " (I have to stop myself from vomiting when I write that term in connection with what she produces) that had an entire section of her work devoted to me and my activities, which she presented at academic conferences. Of course she never bothered to interview me but presented what I have done in a purposeful negative fashion committing a " false light invasion of privacy. " You said: " Having done her work under the auspices of an institution of higher education, the research conducted by Dr. was within acceptable standards as all institutions must first approve any research before the investigator engages in the research phase of her/his work and the outcome of the research especially if it is to be published must also go through a peer review process at least within the institution. " Right. Except Gray was deceptive in how she conducted her research when she interviewed various NYSDOL and NYFB persons. In fact, I filed a complaint against Gray for violating rersearch protocols in dealing with human subjects. CUNY gave her a pass, which is not surprising considering how much money they " invested/dumped " into her via fellowships. You said: " I do not blame the perpetrator of injustices to act on her/his defense but I do challenge those who deviate from ethical and legal standards as I feel has been the case by P against Ms. Gray and I base my assessment on my research on the work of both parties. " But you haven't read any of the material I'm talking about and only have a fraction of the story, but, in a typical self-righteous, misinformed and windbagged fashion you hop, skip and jump to conclusions so as to fit your pre-conceived positions and perspectives. Finally, you take a snippet out of a op-ed in response to mine. It says in part: " In an Oct. 8 Speaking Out essay, farmer Pawelski attacked Rural & Migrant Ministry (RMM) and the Roman Catholic and Episcopal dioceses of Rochester for standing with farmworkers seeking just and fair living and working conditions. However, Pawelski neglected to mention that hundreds of other religious congregations and groups in New York stand together with farmworkers in their efforts, including Methodist, Presbyterian, Jewish, Unitarian, United Church of Christ, Quakers, Baptist, Pentecostal, Reformed and Lutheran, among others. He also failed to mention the support of hundreds of community groups, student groups and labor organizations. For 25 years RMM has actively committed to stand with farmworkers. Attacks against RMM, or against the communities of faith, are nothing new. Members of churches and faith communities, who put their morals and values into action by seeking to build a more just society, who struggled for women's rights, civil rights and the abolition of slavery, were similarly attacked and criticized in their efforts to work for justice and to stand with their fellow brothers and sisters. " I never said they were the only ones. Due to space limitations I only mentioned the religious organizations that primarily were funding these self-appointed advocate organizations. There are plenty of other hypocritical religious instutions and organizations in the " amen business " that don't apply to themselves and their own employees (like collective bargaining or overtime pay) that they point their fingers and want to dictate for ag. Hypocrites, like Jesus talked about. The NY Times did a great 4 part series on this topic last year I can send anyone interested as well. " Hundreds of of community groups, student groups and labor organizations? " That's a laugh. Typical RMM hype. What is ignored, which RMM ED Witt admitted in his sworn deposition before the NYS Lobby Commission (his organization was investigated and fined for committing significant NYS lobby law violations) that for the most part real farmworkers do not attend these organizations' meetings nor help plan their events. Witt admitted that though any farmworker who wants to be on RMM's planning committee could be on it, on average only two or three actually serve on the committee. The investigator for the Lobby Commission remarked, " does that sound strange to you? .... In the advocacy advocating for these people, any one of them, as you testified, can serve on the committee, and the most you got is three? " When actual farmworkers do participate, they're usually paid to be there. In his testimony Rev. Witt admitted that the few farmworkers that were bussed into Albany were paid $40 at the end of their lobbying event. Yes, some religious organizations " struggled for women's rights, civil rights and the abolition of slavery " and others defended slavery, praised the slaughter of Native Americans by the colonists and the diseases they brought with them, etc .... You said: " I can only assume that the Paweski referenced on this letter to the editor is the same person questioning the integrity of Dr. Gray's research in which case I can understand the motive for wanting to discredit her work and to question the advocacy of those seeking to document the status of migrant workers and their plight for social justice. " Same one. I question the legitimacy of self-apointed advocates who take it upon themselves, in the grandest tradition of " white man's burden " to speak in behalf of people that haven't elected, selected, designated, requested or chosen to speak in their behalf and ask for things they haven't asked for and in many cases don't apply to themselves. You said: " Non-corporate family farmers have become as much victims of the system but we cannot ignore the political capital with which they are able to sway the political and other institutional systems for their self preservation while sustaining a much more dehumanizing and oppressive system of victimization against farmworkers and undocumented immigrants in a more retaliatory way. o Freire had something to say about this phenomenon of human behavior. " Blah blah blah. The difference bewteen you and me is that I do this funny thing, it's called RESEARCH, and I try to collect as much facts and data as I can BEFORE I form an opinion and then when I'm sure about it I pronounce it to all. Equally respectfully submitted, Chris > > > > I don't know a lot about her since I just heard her at a conference I > > attended. She gave her talk in English and she said she had > interviewers (as > > well as herself). However, the way she spoke about her work she seemed > to > > have a communication with them that could only be done if she was > bilingual. > > I'm sure you could contacted her if you were interested in knowing. > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Rene J. Quintana [mailto:rquintana@] > > Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:14 PM > > ' @' > > Subject: RE: [ ] Adelphi University > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Cherie, excuse me for being concerned about research like this. I > assume > > Ms. Margaret Gray speaks and is fluent in Spanish right? Otherwise how > > could she have such a " comprehensive study. " If you don't know the > language > > or the culture, please do not profess to be an expert in the area, > > especially in front of the Latino community. > > > > > > > > Sincerely, > > > > > > > > Rene Quintana > > > > Del Norte > > > > > > > > > > _____ > > > > > > From: @ > > [mailto: @] On Behalf Of Cherie Arias > > Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 7:40 AM > > Migrant Research Group > > Subject: [ ] Adelphi University > > > > > > > > Cherie Arias ( cariassjfmc (DOT) <mailto:carias%40sjfmc.org> org) has sent > you a > > web page. > > (Email address not verified.) > > > > -------------------------------- > > Personal Message: > > > > Hi! > > > > I thought you would find this link interesting. > > > > http://events. <http://events.adelphi.edu/news/farmworkers/ > <http://events.adelphi.edu/news/farmworkers/> > > > adelphi.edu/news/farmworkers/ > > ================================ > > Adelphi University > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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