Latino/a Thought

Culture, Politics, and Society

Edited by Francisco H. Vázquez

Publication date:

16 January 2009

Length of book:

634 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9780742563544

Latino/a Thought brings together the most important writings that shape Latino consciousness, culture, and activism today. This historical anthology is unique in its presentation of cross cultural writings—especially from Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban writers and political documents—that shape the ideology and experience of U.S. Latinos. Students can read, first hand, the works or authors who most shaped their cultural heritage. They are guided by vivid introductions that set each article or document in its historical context and describe its relevance today. The writings touch on many themes, but are guided by this book's concern for a quest for public citizenship among all Latino populations and a better understanding of racialized populations in the U.S. today.

General Introduction: Who Are These People And What Do They Want?
Introduction For Students: Why We Love Power But Hate Politics
PART I: ORIGINS AND THEORIES
A. A Dream Of Justice: Contexts, Methods And Practices In Latino/A Thought
Chapter 1. I Am Joaquín: An Epic Poem
Chapter 2. A Continental American Quest For Democracy
Chapter 3. The Chicana Woman: An Historical Materialist Perspective
Chapter 4. Chicanology: Law, Class Struggle, And Power/Knowledge
B. Seduction And Aggression: The Birth Of Chicanos, Puerto Ricans And Cuban-Americans As Territorial, Involuntary, And Cultural U.S. Citizens
PART II MEXICAN AND AMERICANS
A. First Encounters Between Anglo And Mexican Americans.
Chapter 5. The Making Of A Tejano: The Personal Memoirs Of John N. Seguín, Jesús De La Teja
B. The United States War With Mexico
Chapter 6. Letter From James Buchanan, And Selections From The Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo
C. The Fragile Political Status Of Mexican Americans And Their Continued Fight For Inclusion
Chapter 7. El Primer Congreso Mexicanista De 1911: A Precursor To Contemporary Chicanismo
Chapter 8. Epilogue From Decade Of Betrayal
Chapter 9. The Organizer's Tale
Chapter 10. Brown Beret National Policies
Chapter 11. Queer Aztlán: The Re-Formation Of Chicano Tribe
Chapter 12. Class And Culture Wars In The New Latino Politics
PART III CUBANS AND AMERICANS
A. The Treaty Of Paris: Exchanging Colonial Masters Or Establishing Relations Of Mutual Desire?
Chapter 13. Meanings In Transition
Chapter 14. The Platt Amendment (1901)
B. Cuban Self-Determination Under U.S. Hegemony
Chapter 15. El Exilio: National Security Interests And The Origins Of The Cuban Exile Enclave
Chapter 16. Havana USA
Chapter 17. Poem: Last-Mambo-In-Miami
PART IV PUERTO RICAN AND AMERICANS
A. Under Two Empires: A 400-Year Struggle
Chapter 18. Excerpts Form The Foraker And Jones Act, And Public Law 600 The Commonwealth Of Puerto Rico
Chapter 19. Albizu Campos And The Ponce Massacre
Chapter 20. Young Lords Party: 13-Point Program And Platform
B. Searching For The Best Life, Not The Best Citizenship
Chapter 21. The Divorce Of Nationalist Discourses From The Puerto Rican People
Chapter 22. Reconstructing Racial Identity: Ethnicity, Color, And Class Among Dominicans In The United States And Puerto Rico
Chapter 23. Poem: Native Of Nowhere
PART V: HISTORY OF THE PRESENT
A. Comparative Thumbnail Sketch Of The Status Of Mexicans, Cubans And Puerto Ricans In The United States
Chapter 24. Fields of Knowledge for Democracy, Justice, and Community: A Latina Quest
Chapter 25. Transnational Political And Cultural Identities: Crossing Theoretical Borders
Chapter 26. 'Aqui Estamos Y No Nos Vamos!' Global Capital And Immigrant Rights
Chapter 27. A Postdemocratic Era
B. Latino U.S.A: A Canary In The Mine Of Continental Democracy
APPENDIX: TO THE INSTRUCTOR.

With the publication of this new edition of Latino/a Thought, Vazquez has done a great service to scholars, the Latino community, and the general public. Framed within the global and transnational context and the history of Latino struggles for social justice and political empowerment, this is simply the best, most comprehensive, collection of essays available on the Latinos/as in the United States. Readers will find here a wide range of documents and analyses of critical historical, socioeconomic, political, and cultural concern. It is an ideal primer for the classroom or simply for all those seeking a well-rounded overview of the historical and contemporary Latino/a reality.