In 1968, Congress voted to dedicate a week to celebrate the contributions and heritage of Americans tracing their roots back to the Spanish-speaking regions Spain and the Americas. In 1988, this celebration was extended to a month, beginning on September 15^th to coincide with the independence days of several Central American nations. In modern times, the celebrations have grown to include those who identify under the umbrella of Latinx, who may not identify with the term Hispanic (for more information on the differences between Hispanic, Latinx, and Latine, see here). In celebration of this month, the College of Law Library has curated a selection of books related to Hispanic/Latinx heritage and history in the United States. The display is located next to the reference desk on the 5^th floor, and all books are available to be checked out at the adjacent circulation desk. The books currently on display are listed below.

Sources: census.gov , hispanicmonth.org

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Murder at the Sleepy Lagoon: Zoot Suits, Race, and Riot in Wartime L.A.

by Eduardo Obregón Pagán

“The notorious 1942 ‘Sleepy Lagoon’ murder trial in Los Angeles concluded with the conviction of seventeen young Mexican American men for the alleged gang slaying of fellow youth Jose Diaz. Just five months later, the so-called Zoot Suit Riot erupted, as white soldiers in the city attacked minority youths and burned their distinctive zoot suits. Eduardo Obregn Pagan here provides the first comprehensive social history of both the trial and the riot and argues that they resulted from a volatile mix of racial and social tensions that had long been simmering. In reconstructing the lives of the murder victim and those accused of the crime, Pagan contends that neither the convictions (which were based on little hard evidence) nor the ensuing riot arose simply from anti-Mexican sentiment. He demonstrates instead that a variety of pre-existing stresses, including demographic pressures, anxiety about nascent youth culture, and the war effort all contributed to the social tension and the eruption of violence. Moreover, he recovers a multidimensional picture of Los Angeles during World War II that incorporates the complex intersections of music, fashion, violence, race relations, and neighborhood activism. Drawing upon overlooked evidence, Pagan concludes by reconstructing the murder scene and proposes a compelling theory about what really happened the night of the murder.”–provided by publisher

The Latino/a Condition: A Critical Reader

edited by Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic

“All too often, groups who do not effectively define themselves find that others assume the power to explain them. Until recently, this has certainly been the case with American Latinos/as, as evidenced by demeaning media stereotypes and the group’s near-invisibility in U.S. history texts. Indeed, as the demise of the Soviet empire shifted America’s national anxieties to domestic irritants, images of Latinos/as changed for the worse. Immigration reform acts in 1965 and 1986 brought millions of new immigrants from Latin American countries. By the end of the 1980s, their presence had become vexing to many. English-only movements sprang up. Bilingual education came under attack. Movements to close the border gained momentum. Now, Latinos/as are speaking back. The Latino Condition brings together some of these new voices, and some of the pioneers, in law, sociology, history, politics, and literature.”–Amazon.com

Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America

by Juan Gonzalez

“A sweeping history of the Latinx experience in the United States. The first new edition in ten years of this important study of Latinos in U.S. history, Harvest of Empire spans five centuries–from the European colonization of the Americas to the 2020 election. Latinos are now the largest minority group in the United States, and their impact on American culture and politics is greater than ever. With family portraits of real-life immigrant Latino pioneers, as well as accounts of the events and conditions that compelled them to leave their homelands, Gonzalez highlights the complexity of a segment of the American population that is often discussed but frequently misrepresented. This landmark history is required reading for anyone wishing to understand the history and legacy of this influential and diverse group.”– provided by publisher.

Hispanic Americans in Congress, 1822-2012

prepared under the direction of the Committee on House Administration of the U.S. House of Representatives, Daniel E. Lungren, chairman, Robert A. Brady, ranking minority member, by the Office of the Historian and Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives.

“A compilation of historical essays and short biographies about 91 Hispanic-Americans who served in Congress from 1822 to 2012”–provided by publisher.

Being Brown: Sonia Sotomayor and the Latino Question

by Lázaro Lima.

“Sonia Sotomayor is the highest-ranking Latino/a in the United States. Her story of accomplishment and rise to the pinnacle of American public life seemed to herald a profound cultural and historical shift. Latinos are America’s largest minority and also its most disenfranchised. For many, Sotomayor’s ascent represented the elusive fulfillment of an American dream. A chronological narrative of her extraordinary life, Being Brown juxtaposes Sotomayor’s phenomenal successes with the twists and turns of minority inclusion in American democracy. Lázaro Lima also shows how Sotomayor’s own self-making as a Puerto Rican model of possibility allows us to understand not only the appeal but also the limits of representation. Culling through Sotomayor’s own writings, her Supreme Court dissents, and speeches, Lima questions what it means to have a powerful Latina in the Supreme Court. What does her ascent say about social mobility and inclusion? While Sotomayor’s story inspires hope, it also reveals much about the general lack of equality of Latinos and other disenfranchised communities”–provided by publisher.

Latino/a Rights and Justice in the United States: Perspectives and Approaches

by José Luis Morín.

“The U.S. Census Bureau has proclaimed Latinos as the “largest minority community” in the United States. Yet, biases and unequal treatment still plague this growing population, and its struggles to secure equal rights and justice remain largely unknown.

Linking international and domestic dimensions of the Latino/a presence in the United States, this book explores the historical and contemporary Latino/a experience of discrimination and economic and social injustice. Using Latino/a viewpoints, author Jose Luis Morin provides a deeper understanding of pressing issues within these communities, giving insights into the elusiveness of equality and fairness for Latinos/as in the United States. Morin also offers ideas on how to expose and reduce bias and other inequities within the justice system and the greater society.

In addition to presenting an alternative approach to working with Latino/a youths and families, this book calls for a broadening of existing concepts of rights and justice in the United States. In so doing, Morin incorporates international human rights norms and principles of economic, social, and cultural rights to address the persistent inequalities and injustices that Latino/a communities confront in the United States.”