Platon Instagram – (1/2) alina diaz. “This is a picture about exploitation, perception, and above all, courage. THESE WOMEN are all farm workers in the USA. The lady on the left has her hand on her heart – she is my friend, my hero, and her name is Alina Diaz. Alina has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of women who are undocumented farm workers in the United States. At the time this picture was taken, it was estimated that 50% of all farm workers in the US were undocumented. Colleagues of mine, in the human rights community, have urged me not to show this picture when campaigning for immigration reform. They claim, that the two masked women on the right look menacing, and play into the perception that undocumented immigrants are bandits and criminals. I AM HORRIFIED BY THIS NOTION. I know THESE WOMEN and nothing could be further from the truth – they are not in America to threaten or steal – NO – they are in fact the most vulnerable members of society, living in the shadows of injustice. If you work in the fields you are supposed to wear projective clothing to guard against poisonous pesticides – THESE WOMEN are given nothing – they cover their mouths and noses with handkerchiefs and cotton bandanas. Their clothes are disheveled – baggy and masculine – THESE WOMEN have learnt from experience not to wear fitted, attractive, and feminine garb – it sexually arouses male predators in the field. THESE WOMEN face sexual harassment and sexual violence on a daily basis. Should we allow the architects of intolerance to shape our human rights narrative? – No my leaders – we must dare to challenge tribal perception first – only then, can we confidently humanize the data. I am a man who lives and thrives in a great city called THE BIG APPPLE. A city nicknamed after a fruit that abundantly grows in it’s surrounding farms and fields. To the courageous women who pick our apples, I salute you. Standby for Alina’s story….”