Empowered!

Latinos Transforming Arizona Politics

Lisa Magaña, César S. Silva

• Publisher: University of Arizona Press
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9780816542246
• eBook ISBN: 9780816542901
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: American Government
• Index: Politics & International Relations

Empowered!examines Arizona's recent political history and how it has been shaped and propelled by Latinos. It also provides a distilled reflection of U.S. politics more broadly, where the politics of exclusion and the desire for inclusion are forces of change.

Lisa Magaña and César S. Silva argue that the state of Arizona is more inclusive and progressive then it has ever been. Following in the footsteps of grassroots organizers in California and the southeastern states, Latinos in Arizona have struggled and succeeded to alter the anti-immigrant and racist policies that have been affecting Latinos in the state for many years. Draconian immigration policies have plagued Arizona's political history. Empowered! shows innovative ways that Latinos have fought these policies.

Empowered! focuses on the legacy of Latino activism within politics. It raises important arguments about those who stand to profit financially and politically by stoking fear of immigrants and how resilient politicians and grassroots organizers have worked to counteract that fear mongering. Recognizing the long history of disenfranchisement and injustice surrounding minority communities in the United States, this book outlines the struggle to make Arizona a more just and equal place for Latinos to live. 

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction: Latino Politics
• 1. Latinos in Arizona
• 2. The Building Blocks of Change
• 3. Political Backlash
• 4. Latino Political Strategies
• 5. Interview with Randy Pérez
• Appendix A. One Arizona Fact Sheet
• Appendix B. List of Organizations
• Appendix C. List of Laws
• References
• Index
• About the Authors