Salinas: A History of Race and Resilience in an Agricultural City

A comprehensive history of Salinas, California, explores how the city's diverse demographics have shaped its identity and economy, from its early days as a hub for agricultural workers to its current struggles with COVID-19.

Format: Hardback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 25 January 2022
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Salinas, a city in California, is a unique blend of rural and urban elements, reflecting the broader urban-rural divide in America. For generations, it has been a hub for migrant farmworkers from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, contributing to its rich and complex history. In her book, "Salinas: The Salad Bowl of the World," Carol Lynn McKibben delves into the city's ever-changing demographics, exploring the challenges and triumphs faced by Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Mexican, Dust Bowl migrants, and white ethnic Europeans. Drawing on extensive original research, including oral histories and previously unseen archives, McKibben paints a vivid picture of Salinas's journey from its nineteenth-century origins as the economic engine of California's Central Coast to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color, particularly farmworkers who already reside on the margins.

Throughout her book, McKibben highlights the pivotal role that nonwhite minorities played in achieving middle-class success and inclusion in the cultural life of Salinas without challenging the underlying system of white supremacy. This timely work deepens our understanding of race relations, economic development, and the complexities of urban-rural dynamics in modern America. Salinas serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of communities facing adversity, and McKibben's insightful analysis provides valuable insights into the ongoing struggles and achievements of diverse populations.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503629455