Making the MexiRican City: Migration, Placemaking, and Activism in Grand Rapids, Michigan

In the 1950s, Latino migrants arrived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, forming a Spanish-speaking community. Delia Fernández-Jones' book "Making the MexiRican City" explores how they created a new home, formed powerful relationships, and advocated for social change through pan-Latino solidarity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 03 April 2023
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

In the 1950s, a significant influx of Latino migrants arrived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, joining a small but established Spanish-speaking community comprised of individuals from Texas, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Delia Fernández-Jones, in her book "Making the MexiRican City," skillfully combines storytelling with historical analysis to delve into the placemaking practices employed by these Mexicans, Tejanos, and Puerto Ricans as they sought to establish a new home for themselves amidst a backdrop of entrenched white racism and hostility.

Faced with these challenges, Latinos from diverse backgrounds forged strong relationships to secure essential needs such as housing and employment, as well as revive community cultural practices. Their pan-Latino solidarity transcended ethnic and racial boundaries, shaping activist efforts that prioritized working within the system to advocate for social change. Over time, this interethnic Latino alliance capitalized on cracks in both overt and structural racism, attracting white and Black partners to join their fight for equality in social welfare programs, policing, and education.

"Making the MexiRican City" is a groundbreaking and revelatory work that provides a detailed account of how disparate Latino communities came together to address social, racial, and economic challenges. Through her meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Fernández-Jones sheds light on the resilience, creativity, and collective efforts of these communities in shaping their own destinies and advocating for a more inclusive and equitable society. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of Latino studies and offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of race, identity, and community building in urban environments.

Weight: 572g
Dimension: 161 x 243 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780252044847