Open Hand, Closed Fist: Practices of Undocumented Organizing in a Hostile State

Undocumented activists in Arizona used storytelling, emotion cultures, and performative citizenship to organize and resist hostile legislation, registering thousands of new Latino voters and joining a national movement for justice for immigrants. These practices created both the open hand (affective bonds) and the closed fist (pragmatic strategies) necessary for the movement to mobilize and sustain itself over time.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 02 August 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

In the early 2000s, Arizona's campaign of attrition through enforcement aimed to make life so unbearable for undocumented immigrants that they would self-deport. Undocumented activists resisted hostile legislation, registered thousands of new Latino voters, and joined a national movement to advance justice for immigrants. Drawing on five years of observation and interviews with activists in Phoenix, Arizona, Kathryn Abrams explains how the practices of storytelling, emotion cultures, and performative citizenship fueled this grassroots movement. Together, these practices produced both the open hand (the affective bonds among participants) and the closed fist (the pragmatic strategies of resistance) that have allowed the movement to mobilize and sustain itself over time.

The movement's success can be attributed to its ability to harness the power of storytelling, emotion cultures, and performative citizenship. Storytelling was used to humanize the immigrants and their struggles, creating a sense of empathy and compassion among the broader public. Emotion cultures were employed to evoke strong emotions and create a sense of urgency around the issue, driving people to action. Performative citizenship was used to challenge dominant narratives and create new ones that emphasized the contributions of immigrants to society.

One of the key practices of the movement was the use of storytelling. Activists told personal stories about their experiences as immigrants, highlighting the challenges they faced and the contributions they made to their communities. These stories were powerful tools for building empathy and compassion, and they helped to shift public opinion toward immigrants.

Another important practice was the creation of emotion cultures. Activists used music, art, and other forms of cultural expression to evoke strong emotions and create a sense of urgency around the issue. For example, they organized marches and rallies that featured music and dancing, creating a festive atmosphere that drew people in.

Performative citizenship was also a key practice of the movement. Activists used their bodies and their voices to challenge dominant narratives and create new ones that emphasized the contributions of immigrants to society. For example, they staged protests and demonstrations that featured symbolic acts, such as wearing t-shirts that said "I am an immigrant" or holding signs that said "Immigrants build America."

The movement's success can also be attributed to its ability to build strong networks and alliances with other organizations and individuals. Activists worked closely with labor unions, religious organizations, and other community groups to build a broad-based coalition that supported their cause. This collaboration helped to amplify the movement's message and increase its impact.

In conclusion, the movement for immigrant justice in Arizona was successful in part because of its ability to harness the power of storytelling, emotion cultures, and performative citizenship. These practices allowed the movement to mobilize and sustain itself over time, building strong networks and alliances with other organizations and individuals. By humanizing the immigrants and their struggles, evoking strong emotions, and challenging dominant narratives, the movement was able to create a sense of urgency and build support for its cause.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520384415