Fred Ross Sr., known for mentoring civil rights figures like Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, is the subject of a new documentary by Raymond Telles titled “American Agitators.” This film highlights Ross’ impact on pivotal racial justice initiatives, including electing Los Angeles’ first Latino council member in 1949 and desegregating schools in California’s Citrus Belt in 1947. The documentary premiered at the Cinequest Film and Creativity Festival in San Jose, winning the festival’s juried award for best documentary feature.
Telles, an Emmy-winning documentarian and associate adjunct professor at UC Berkeley, has followed the labor movement since the 1980s. “American Agitators” traces Ross’ career from a University of Southern California student to advocating for various communities, including incarcerated Japanese Americans during WWII and farmworkers across California. Despite being an outsider, Ross earned trust with his listening skills. The film features interviews with figures such as Dolores Huerta, Chavez’ son Paul, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who acknowledges Fred Ross Jr.’s role in her 1987 campaign.
Ross is credited with teaching the benefits of house meetings and authoring “Axioms for Organizing,” characterized by its directive, “A good organizer is a social arsonist who goes around setting people on fire.” Telles emphasizes the enduring relevance of Ross’ legacy in community organizing, stating, “You’ve got to bring people who are like-minded together to work, and it takes time, organization, and follow-up.”
Telles notes the film was completed in the fall of 2024, and its resonance hinges on its discussion of organizing and voting. He highlights the strategic alliances formed by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, thanks to Ross Sr.’s influence. These alliances brought attention to issues like pesticide dangers, connecting farmworker movements with consumers and other diverse groups.
In discussing the production, Telles reflects on the challenge of depicting contemporary activism within the documentary, noting the importance of sustainability and avoiding burnout. The film’s contemporary segment faced challenges in deciding which activist groups to include, given their fluctuating stability.
The documentary underscores the importance of alliances and inclusivity in effecting societal change, a lesson drawn from Fred Ross Sr. and his mentees.
