Inventing Latinos: A New Story of American Racism

A leading critical race scholar, Laura E. Gómez argues that Latinos have recently seen themselves as a cohesive racial identity due to anti-Latino racism. Her book "Who Are Latinos and Where Do They Fit in America's Racial Order?" explores the history, racial construction, and legal argument of Latinx identity, illuminating the processes that have changed the way race functions in the country. The paperback edition includes a new afterword analyzing the 2020 Census results.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2022
Publisher: The New Press

An NPR Best Book of the Year, this groundbreaking work explores the profound impact of Latinos' emerging collective racial identity on the way Americans understand race. In her timely and essential examination of Latinx identity, renowned critical race scholar Laura E. Gómez makes a compelling argument that it is only recently that Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Dominicans, Central Americans, and other Latinx communities have begun to see themselves and be seen by others as a cohesive racial group. Gómez attributes the catalyst for this emergent identity to the relentless prevalence of anti-Latino racism.

In her incisive study of history, complex interrogation of racial construction, and sophisticated legal argument, Gómez delivers a knockout punch, illuminating for readers the fascinating race-making, unmaking, and re-making processes that Latinos have undergone over time. This transformative journey has indelibly altered the way race functions in the United States.

Building on the insightful and well-researched material of the original, the paperback edition of this book features a new afterword in which the author analyzes the results of the 2020 Census, offering brilliant and timely insight into how Latinos have come to self-identify. This addition enhances the book's relevance and provides valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of Latinx identity in America.

Overall, "Who Are Latinos and Where Do They Fit in America's Racial Order?" is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of race and identity in the United States. Gómez's profound analysis and thought-provoking insights shed light on the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality, and offer a roadmap for building a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 140 x 215 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781620977613