Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right and What It Means for America
by Paola Ramos
On This Page
Description
"An award-winning journalist's deeply reported exploration of how race, identity, and political trauma have influenced the rise in far-right sentiment among Latinos, and how this group can shape American politics. Democrats have historically assumed they can rely on the Latino vote, but recent elections have shown this to be far from the case. In fact, despite his vociferous anti-immigrant rhetoric and disastrous border policies, Trump won a higher percentage of the Latino vote in 2020 than show more he did in 2016. Now, VICE News reporter Paola Ramos pulls back the curtain on these voters, traveling around the country to uncover what motivates them to vote for and support issues that seem so at odds with their self-interest. From coast to coast, cities to rural towns, Defectors introduces readers to underdog GOP candidates, January 6th insurrectionists, Evangelical pastors and culture war crusaders, aiming to identify the influences at the heart of this rightward shift. Through their stories, Ramos shows how tribalism, traditionalism, and political trauma within the Latino community has been weaponized to radicalize and convert voters who, like many of their white counterparts, are fearful of losing their place in American society. We meet Monica de la Cruz, a Republican congresswoman from the Rio Grande Valley who won on a platform centered on finishing "what Donald Trump started" and pushing the Great Replacement Theory; Ralph Arellanes, a Mexican man who refers to himself as a Spaniard and opposed the removal of a statue of a Spanish conquistador in New Mexico; Dominicans in the Bronx who voted for Trump; Evangelical pastor Luis Cabrera, who is pushing to "Make America Godly Again"; and Latina members of Moms for Liberty, a conservative group at the forefront of pushing bills like "Don't Say Gay." Cross-cultural and assiduously reported, Defectors highlights how one of America's most powerful and misunderstood electorates may come to define the future of American politics"-- show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Ramos' telling of historical and contemporary issues impacting Latino perceptions of the self and other is journalism at its finest. From hairdressers to Proud Boys, Ramos shows us how these individuals can come to hate their own community while at the same time mustering enough dissonance to remove themselves from the hatred they spew. Key to the success of this book, in my opinion, is that Ramos does not absolve any individual in the book of blame. She provides context, historical factors, and life paths but she does not throw pity parties for these individuals or remove their own agency in their decision to follow conservatism.
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
2 Works 186 Members
Some Editions
Awards and Honors
Awards
Distinctions
Classifications
- Genres
- Politics and Government, Nonfiction, History, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 973.04680905 — History & geography History of North America United States United States Ethnic And National Groups Hispanic Americans
- LCC
- E184 .S75 .R3668 — History of the United States United States Elements in the population Afro-Americans
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 99
- Popularity
- 325,795
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (4.05)
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 2
