Race Migrations : Latinos and the Cultural Transformation of Race

In this groundbreaking study of Puerto Rican and Dominican migration to the United States, Wendy D. Roth explores the influence of migration on changing cultural conceptions of race--for the newcomers, for their host society, and for those who remain in the countries left behind. Just as migrants can gain new language proficiencies, they can pick up new understandings of race. But adopting an American idea about race does not mean abandoning earlier ideas. New racial schemas transfer across borders and cultures spread between sending and host countries. Behind many current debates on immigration is the question of how Latinos will integrate and where they fit into the U.S. racial structure. Race Migrations shows that these migrants increasingly see themselves as a Latino racial group. Although U.S. race relations are becoming more "Latin Americanized" by the presence of Latinos and their views about race, race in the home countries is also becoming more "Americanized" through the cultural influence of those who go abroad. Ultimately, Roth shows that several systems of racial classification and stratification co-exist in each place, in the minds of individuals and in their shared cultural understandings of "how race works." "Anyone who believes that the American racial structure is characterized by unmovable white/black boundaries should read this book." —Michèle Lamont, Harvard University, author of The Dignity of Working Men: Morality and the Boundaries of Race, Class, and Immigration In this groundbreaking study of Puerto Rican and Dominican migration to the United States, Wendy D. Roth explores the influence of migration on changing cultural conceptions of race—for the newcomers, for their host society, and for those who remain in the countries left behind. Just as migrants can gain new language proficiencies, they can pick up new understandings of race. But adopting an American idea about race does not mean abandoning earlier ideas. New racial schemas transfer across borders and cultures spread between sending and host countries. Behind many current debates on immigration is the question of how Latinos will integrate and where they fit into the US racial structure. Race Migrations shows that these migrants increasingly see themselves as a Latino racial group. Ultimately, Roth shows that several systems of racial classification and stratification co-exist in each place, in the minds of individuals and in their shared cultural understandings of "how race works." "Superb . . . transcends the existing literature on migration and race." —Michael Omi, University of California, Berkeley, co-author of Racial Formation in the United States "Provides important clarifications regarding the nature of racial orders in the United States and the Hispanic Caribbean." —Mosi Adesina Ifatunji, Social Forces "Rich with insights." —Richard Alba, The Graduate Center CUNY, author of Blurring the Color Line "Innovative ethnographic fieldwork . . . Recommended." —E. Hu-DeHart, Choice "Insightful." —Edward Telles, Princeton University, author of Race in Another America "A transformative book." —Clara E. Rodriguez, Journal of American Studies In This Groundbreaking Study Of Puerto Rican And Dominican Migration To The United States, Wendy D. Roth Explores The Influence Of Migration On Changing Cultural Conceptions Of Race--for The Newcomers, For Their Host Society, And For Those Who Remain In The Countries Left Behind. ... Roth Shows How Several Systems Of Racial Classification And Stratification Coexist In The Minds Of Individuals And In Their Shared Cultural Understandings Of 'how Race Works.' --back Cover. How Immigration Changes Concepts Of Race -- Beyond The Continuum : Race In The Dominican Republic And Puerto Rico -- Migrant Schemas : Race In The United States -- Transnational Diffusion -- Multiple Forms Of Racial Stratification -- Performing Race Strategically -- Is Latino Becoming A Race? : Cultural Change And Classifications. Wendy D. Roth. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This book explores how the arrival of Latin American immigrants in the United States shifts racial classifications for newcomers, for the society receiving them, and for the people they leave behind.