In the long-standing tradition of honoring the achievements of those whose lives were touched by Steinbeck, the Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies recognized author Francisco Jiménez for his commitment to education and social justice with the Steinbeck Award on September 28, 2016. Growing up as a child of migrant farm workers, Jiménez noticed a lack of literary works that reflected his reality. Determined to fill this gap, Jiménez would turn his memories into the stories which make up The Circuit, one of his most recognized works. As Jiménez began to write more, the stories became about more than just himself — he was sharing the story of many unrecognized people, bringing their struggles to light.
After being inspired to take up writing by his sophomore English teacher, Jiménez started to take notes about his childhood whenever he felt discouraged, recalling memories and connecting with his family. These recollections drove him onwards, as he would continually ask himself, “What did I learn from these experiences?” The memories with the most clarity would haunt him until they were written down, and would keep resurfacing until their stories were told. It was through this process that he created his works, honoring the collective experience of the migrant farmworker.
“I try to pay tribute to these families, because they remind us, I think, in many ways of us as a nation, as mainly a nation of immigrants who came here from many parts of the world, in many cases experiencing discrimination, and working very hard. It is thanks to this spirit that we have a very powerful nation. For me, that spirit is manifested in the migrant workers. They are an inspiration to me.”
Taking advantage of the opportunities that his education gave him, Jiménez was able to express the lessons he learned growing up and his inspirations for many to experience. In doing so, he feels he has honored his family’s sacrifices as well as his teachers’ encouragement, which made a real difference in his life. “Write from the heart,” Jiménez recalled, “and be honest with yourself.” This is how he was able to write his stories, which have made a difference in the lives of many, giving a voice to families like his highlighting the humanity and strength that exist in the face of poverty and discrimination. The College of Humanities and the Arts is proud of the Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies and for the very real impacts made by people like Francisco Jiménez and all other Steinbeck honorees who have upheld Steinbeck’s values over the decades.
By Kaitlynn Magnuson
