ePub Inquisition by Edward Peters in History

Description

Covering more than one hundred years of American history; Walls and Mirrors examines the ways that continuous immigration from Mexico transformed—and continues to shape—the political; social; and cultural life of the American Southwest. Taking a fresh approach to one of the most divisive political issues of our time; David Gutiérrez explores the ways that nearly a century of steady immigration from Mexico has shaped ethnic politics in California and Texas; the two largest U.S. border states.Drawing on an extensive body of primary and secondary sources; Gutiérrez focuses on the complex ways that their pattern of immigration influenced Mexican Americans' sense of social and cultural identity—and; as a consequence; their politics. He challenges the most cherished American myths about U.S. immigration policy; pointing out that; contrary to rhetoric about "alien invasions;" U.S. government and regional business interests have actively recruited Mexican and other foreign workers for over a century; thus helping to establish and perpetuate the flow of immigrants into the United States. In addition; Gutiérrez offers a new interpretation of the debate over assimilation and multiculturalism in American society. Rejecting the notion of the melting pot; he explores the ways that ethnic Mexicans have resisted assimilation and fought to create a cultural space for themselves in distinctive ethnic communities throughout the southwestern United States.