|
|
|
|
|
New Book
Examines Mexican American and Mexican Immigrant
Relationships in La Puente
|
 |
On the surface, Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants to
the United States seem to share a common cultural identity.
Often, however, they make uneasy neighbors. In “Becoming
Neighbors in a Mexican American Community: Power, Conflict,
and Solidarity,” Gilda Ochoa focuses on the Mexican-origin,
working-class city of La Puente in Los Angeles County,
California, to examine Mexican Americans' everyday attitudes
toward and interactions with Mexican immigrants—a topic that
has so far received little serious study.
“Discrimination and assimilationist policies have influenced
generations of Mexican Americans so that some now fear that
the status they have gained through assimilation will be
jeopardized by Spanish-speaking newcomers,” Ochoa explains.
“Other Mexican Americans adopt a position of group
solidarity and work to better the social conditions and
educational opportunities of Mexican immigrants.”
Ochoa, an associate professor of sociology and Chicana/o
studies at Pomona College, uses in-depth interviews,
participant observations, school board meeting minutes and
other historical documents to investigate how Mexican
Americans are negotiating their relationships with
immigrants at an interpersonal level in the places where
they shop, worship, learn, and raise their families.
Throughout the book, research into daily lives highlights
the centrality of women in the process of negotiating and
building communities, identity formation and group
mobilization. Their pivotal influence on educational issues,
especially bilingual education, is also examined. The book
complements previous studies on the impact of immigration on
the wages and employment opportunities of Mexican Americans.
Martha Menchaca, author of several books on race relations
in California and America including “Recovering History,
Constructing Race,” calls “Becoming Neighbors in a Mexican
American Community” an “authoritative text… This book offers
a provocative analysis of how ethnic identity is constructed
and explores the significance Mexican ancestry plays in the
lives of Mexican Americans.”
Ochoa’s ties to the La Puente community run deep. Born in La
Puente, she and her brother grew up in neighboring Hacienda
Heights. She is currently a resident of La Puente, and her
family has remained in the area as well. Her mother taught
middle school in the La Puente for more than 30 years.
Ochoa earned her B.A. degree from the University of
California, Irvine, and her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the
University of California, Los Angeles. She has been a
faculty member at Pomona College, one of the nation's
premier liberal arts colleges, since 1997.
NOTE: Professor Ochoa will have a book reading at Borders
Puente Hills (1600 South Azusa Avenue, City of Industry), on
Sunday, June 27, at 1:00 p.m.
CONTACTS:
Gilda Ochoa
Associate Professor of Sociology and Chicana/o Studies
Pomona College
Office Phone: (909) 607-2604
Email: Gilda.Ochoa@pomona.edu
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quick Links |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Explore Pomona's Web |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Find It |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Search |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
