Latino Professionals in America
In Latino Professionals in America, Maria Chvez combines rich qualitative interviews, auto-ethnographic accounts, and policy analysis to explore the converging oppressions that make it difficult for Latinos to become professionals and to envision themselves as successful in those professions. Recounting her own story, Chvez interviews 31 Latino professionals from across the nation in a variety of occupations and careers, contextualizing their experiences amid family struggles and ongoing racism in the United States. She addresses gender inequality within the Latino community, arguing that defending, rationalizing, or ignoring patriarchy within the Latino community perpetuates systems of oppressionespecially for women; gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals; and others at the intersections. The experiences of these Latino professionals and the authors analysis provide a blueprint for what worksone, both pragmatic and hopeful, that uses real lives to illustrate how a combination of public polices, people, and perseverance increases the presence of Americas fastest-growing demographic group in the professional class.
Maria Chvez is Associate Professor of Political Science at Pacific Lutheran University. She is author of Everyday Injustice: Latino Professionals and Racism (Rowman & Littlefield, 2011), lead author of Living the Dream: New Immigration Policies and the Lives of Undocumented Latino Youth (Paradigm, 2015), and co-editor of Latinos in the United States: Racialization, Discrimination and Resistance (Routledge, 2018). She teaches classes in public policy, American government, racial and ethnic politics, and Latino politics.
Maria Chvez has given us a remarkable and compelling book that deftly entwines social science with courageous acts of personal storytelling. Manifesting a profoundly civic spirit and a keen sense for the resiliency in the midst of struggle modeled by the Latina/o pioneers, warriors, and leaders who populate the volume, Chvez shows us, in the memorable words of one participant, where the power resides to fight racisms historical legacies and emboldened current tenor, alike. In abundant measure, this exploration of Latino professionals experiences-in-context illuminates the equity-enhancing policies, altered gender frameworks, and counter-racialization strategies needed to wage and win that fight.
Paul Apostolidis, Associate Professorial Lecturer, Government Department, London School of Economics, and author of The Fight for Time: Migrant Day Laborers and the Politics of Precarity (Oxford, 2019)
Dr Chvez writes a rich and deeply personal account of the nuances, idiosyncrasies, and challenges Latinos encounter while making their way to professional careers, and the race-, class-, and gender-specific obstacles that meet them once attaining coveted professional positions. Her book demonstrates that a combination of targeted, equity-enhancing public policies and mentors is what makes all the difference in whether one can receive an education and become an active, productive, and contributing member of society. Accessible, informative, and insightfulit is a must-read for all community members, professionals, students, faculty, and anyone interested in promoting equity, inclusion, and social justice in the world.
Jerry Flores, PhD, Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Toronto
Our ability to understand the successful pathways to social and professional mobility is crucial if we are to fulfill the great potential of our community. Maria Chvezs fascinating book is an important presentation of the often painful narratives of success within our community that is often shrouded in myth.
Stephen A. Nuo, PhD, Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Politics and International Affairs, Northern Arizona University
Latino Professionals in America
Testimonios of Policy, Perseverance, and Success
Maria Chvez
First published 2019
by Routledge
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2019 Taylor & Francis
The right of Maria Chvez to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Chvez, Maria, 1968 author.
Title: Latino professionals in America : testimonios of policy, perseverance, and success / by Maria Chavez.
Description: New York, NY : Routledge, 2019. | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018058021 | ISBN 9780367203184 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780367203191 (pbk.)
Subjects: LCSH: Hispanic Americans in the professions. | Hispanic AmericansEmployment. | Discrimination in employmentUnited States. | Hispanic AmericansSocial conditions. | RacismUnited States.
Classification: LCC HD8081.H7 C433 2019 | DDC 331.6/368073dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018058021
ISBN: 978-0-367-20318-4 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-20319-1 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-0-429-26222-7 (ebk)
Typeset in Adobe Caslon Pro
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
To all the Latino professionals who are the first in their families to graduate from college and enter their professions. You are examples of perseverance, strength, and courage in overcoming all the obstacles you have had before you. Your experiences underscore how even the most privileged members of the Latino community continue to face discrimination and racialization in the United States, and the effects have created much harm. Your strong sense of justice and dedication to working for positive change by providing mentoring and working within existing programs that help Latinos show the true value of your contributions not only to our communities and families but also to the professions and ultimately, to our country. Your struggles are not in vain.
This book came to be written after I was invited to give a speech at the United Way of Thurston Countys annual meeting of donors. I was asked to speak about my journey from a young, pregnant high school dropout to a successful academic. My experiences were to provide a perspective for folks committed to improving the integration of Latinos into all aspects of the community. Like far too many Latinos in the United States (only 15% obtain at least a bachelors degree), I would have never imagined that I, a Mexican American girl who was pregnant at 16, could eventually earn a PhD and become a university professor. If it hadnt been for the guidance and care of mentors, combined with the power of concrete public policy opportunities I received, I would not be sharing my story. Upon interviewing 31 additional Latino professionals who were also the first people in their immediate familiesoften referred to as first in family (FIF), or first-generation, college studentsto obtain a four-year college degree and enter esteemed professions, I learned my experiences are not unique.
