The Latino Studies Reader: Culture, Economy, and Society

The Latino population is the fastest growing ethnic minority group in the United States, creating a greater need than ever to critically assess the questions pertaining to Latinos. In this comprehensive collection of essays and articles, "The Latino Studies Reader" draws on the most interesting recent work from Latino scholars and social critics to answer these questions. Doing away with conventional theories of race relations, with its exclusive black/white focus, Darder and Torres focus on 'class analysis' as a theoretical framework. To reflect the diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds of Latinos living throughout the United States, "The Latino Studies Reader" draws on the experiences of Chicanos, Puerto Ricans, Cubanos, Caribbeans, Central and South Americans in a comparative perspective. The volume is organized around four major themes: culture, history, and society; politics; gender, sexuality, and power; and labor and the global economy, drawing on the multidisciplinary orientation found in ethnic and cultural studies. Included in this collection are essays from major thinkers including Cornel West, Denise Segura, Gloria Anzaldua, and Luis Rodriguez, along with new voices from the emerging community of Latino and Latina scholars.