Photographer documenting farmworkers during the California Grape Strike.

Unseen No More: How One Photographer's Lens Changed the California Grape Strike

Author's portrait.
Beau Callahan in Culture & Society June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Richard Steven Street's biography rescues Jon Lewis, revealing the power of photography in the farmworker movement and the untold stories behind the California Grape Strike."


History is often told through the grand narratives of leaders and landmark events. But what about the stories etched in the faces of everyday people, captured through the lens of a camera? Richard Steven Street's biography, 'Jon Lewis: Photographs of the California Grape Strike,' offers a compelling look at one such story. It rescues Jon Lewis, a largely unknown photographer, from obscurity and shines a light on his pivotal role in documenting the historic California Grape Strike.

Jon Lewis was more than just a photographer; he was an ex-Marine and a college graduate on the cusp of a photojournalism career. Drawn into the burgeoning farmworker movement by Luis Valdéz, Lewis found himself at the heart of the National Farm Workers Association strike in Delano. For eight months, and frequently thereafter, he walked alongside the workers, documenting their struggle and their unwavering determination. This biography not only tells Lewis's story but also uses his photographs to create a powerful and intimate history of the farmworker movement.

Street’s work unveils a dual narrative: the history of a movement and the life of a man dedicated to capturing its essence. It’s a story of social justice, sacrifice, and the profound impact that a single individual with a camera can have on the course of history. The article is perfect for those who are fascinated with social movements and the role of photography in shaping social change.

The Power of a Photograph: Documenting the Grape Strike

Photographer documenting farmworkers during the California Grape Strike.

Richard Steven Street argues that Jon Lewis deserves recognition as a key documentary photographer of the 20th century. However, Lewis's close ties to the United Farm Workers (UFW) made his work less appealing to mainstream media outlets. Despite this, his photographs offer unparalleled access to the realities of the grape strike, providing a ground-level view of the movement’s struggles and triumphs. The biography highlights how Lewis's commitment to the UFW, while limiting his professional opportunities, gave him a unique and invaluable perspective.

Street organizes the biography into seventy-five short essays, interweaving the history of the farmworker movement with Lewis's personal experiences and an affecting biography of the photographer himself. Through Lewis's lens, readers experience the movement as it unfolded, gaining insight into the lives of the farmworkers and volunteers who dedicated themselves to the cause. The book portrays the sacrifices made by these individuals, including Lewis himself, who lived a penurious existence while documenting the strike.

The book provides a multifaceted view of the strike:
  • A history of the farmworker movement.
  • A remarkable photographic record.
  • An affecting biography of Jon Lewis.
  • Insight into the sacrifices of volunteers.
One of the most compelling aspects of Street's work is its reliance on oral history. Through numerous interviews, Street resurrects Lewis's voice and brings his experiences to life. Each essay is accompanied by Lewis's photographs, complete with captions written by Lewis himself later in life. This approach creates a powerful effect, blending personal memory with historical record, and inviting readers to reflect on the collective memory of the farmworker movement. Street also discusses the impact the photography had. The use of photography and the historical significance is very important to this story.

A Legacy of Justice and Remembrance

While Street acknowledges that condensing complex historical contexts can be challenging, the biography ultimately succeeds in its mission: rescuing Jon Lewis from obscurity and highlighting the profound impact of his work. 'Jon Lewis: Photographs of the California Grape Strike' serves as a testament to the power of photography in documenting social movements and the importance of recognizing the contributions of those who stand on the front lines of history. The book works well as a history and helps inform people of the world around them.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

Who was Jon Lewis and what was his role in the California Grape Strike?

Jon Lewis, an ex-Marine and college graduate, became deeply involved with the National Farm Workers Association strike in Delano after being drawn in by Luis Valdéz. For about eight months, he dedicated himself to documenting the farmworkers' struggle through photography, offering a unique ground-level view of the movement.

2

According to Richard Steven Street, how did Jon Lewis's connection to the United Farm Workers (UFW) affect the reception of his photographs?

Richard Steven Street argues that Jon Lewis's close ties to the United Farm Workers (UFW) impacted the visibility of his work, as mainstream media was less receptive. Despite this, it allowed Lewis unparalleled access and a unique perspective, which helped the biography, 'Jon Lewis: Photographs of the California Grape Strike' capture the essence of the strike.

3

How did Richard Steven Street integrate oral history and Jon Lewis's own reflections into the biography, and what effect did this have on the narrative?

Richard Steven Street employed oral history and personal memory through interviews and Jon Lewis's own captions. This approach creates a very personal effect and blends these elements with the historical record, it allows readers to reflect on the collective memory of the farmworker movement. This approach shows his mission of rescuing Jon Lewis from obscurity and highlighting the impact of his work.

4

In what ways did Jon Lewis's photographs contribute to a deeper understanding of the California Grape Strike, and what elements made them so impactful?

Jon Lewis's photographs offer a ground-level view of the struggles and triumphs of the California Grape Strike. His work highlights the sacrifices made by farmworkers and volunteers, capturing the essence of the movement and bringing attention to the importance of social justice and farmworker rights. They were used to create a history of the farmworker movement and served as a photographic record, alongside the affecting biography of Jon Lewis. It also provides insight into the sacrifices of volunteers.

5

While Richard Steven Street's biography highlights the importance of Jon Lewis's photographs during the California Grape Strike, what other aspects or angles could be explored to further enrich the understanding of the farmworker movement and the role of photography within it?

Richard Steven Street's biography, 'Jon Lewis: Photographs of the California Grape Strike', sheds light on the profound impact of photography in documenting social movements, but it only focuses on Jon Lewis's work during the California Grape Strike. It could be expanded to include an analysis of other photographers who worked with the United Farm Workers (UFW). Further exploration into the strategies employed by the UFW to disseminate these photographs and the impact these images had on public perception of the strike would add even more value. The analysis could also be extended to the digital age.

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