Comparative Racialization: Culture and National Origin in the Latino/A Communities

Posted: 16 Jul 2002

See all articles by Kevin R. Johnson

Kevin R. Johnson

University of California, Davis - School of Law

Abstract

Ths essay is part of a symposium of papers published to memorialize the fifth annual Critical Latina/o (LatCrit) Theory conference in 2000. Within the contours of critical Latina/o (LatCrit) Theory, "comparative racialization" analyzes how society constructs, or racializes, or "others," various Latin American national origin groups in different ways. Such comparisons in no way seek to demonstrate that one group is "more" disadvantaged than another, but rather strive for a deeper understanding of racial formation and the roots of racial subordination. In so doing, we must recognize the vast differences between various Latina/o communities. This essay investigates the comparative racialization of Latina/o national origin groups. Scholarship on the growing popularity of certain aspects of "Latin" culture among Anglos. A rich cultural analysis teaches much about the Latina/os able to achieve mainstream popularity, the hierarchy among Latina/o national origin groups, and the stereotypes that they reinforce.

Multiculturalism teaches tolerance of racial and cultural diversity. The relationship between race and culture has been the subject of increasing legal, including LatCrit, analysis. Contrary to popular belief, culture is not some monolithic, fixed, and static essence. Any culture is constantly changing, affected by interaction with other cultures, especially in an era of globalization. We must acknowledge, for example, that Anglo American culture in this country has been indelibly influenced by Mexican culture while Mexican culture has been forever transformed by its interaction with Anglo culture. Indeed, with technological innovation over the last century, "American culture" has influenced the world. To add to the complexity, culture in any society also is the subject of continuing internal dissent and debate over its contours.

This line of analysis, of course, represents a gross over-simplification. In fact, no single "Mexican", "Latin," or "American" culture exists. Consistent with Critical Latina/o Theory's commitment to anti-essentialism, care must be taken not to homogenize cultures from Latin American nations, which vary dramatically.

The essay also discussed the tragic case of Elian Gonzalez, in which a young Cuban boy who journeyed by raft to the United States, lost his mother on the way, and became the center of a controversy over whether the United States should return to his father in Cuba. This case also suggests that immigration law creates distinctions between Latina/o national origin groups - effectively racializing them differently - and reinforces their differential treatment. The fluidity of racial constructions can be seen in the differentiation of immigrants of Mexican and Cuban ancestry over time, and the evolving legal responses to each group.

Keywords: Latinos, Latinaos, Cultural Studies, Civil Rights, Culture

Suggested Citation

Johnson, Kevin R., Comparative Racialization: Culture and National Origin in the Latino/A Communities. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=314744

Kevin R. Johnson (Contact Author)

University of California, Davis - School of Law ( email )

Martin Luther King, Jr. Hall
400 Mrak Hall Drive
Davis, CA 95616-5201
United States
530 752 0243 (Phone)
530 752 7279 (Fax)

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