Resistance and Abolition in the Borderlands

Book excerpt: While there is a long history of state violence toward immigrants in the United States, the essayists in this interdisciplinary collection tackle head-on the impacts of the Trump administration. This volume provides a well-argued look at the Trump era. Insightful contributions delve into the impact of Donald Trump’s rhetoric and policies on migrants detained and returned, immigrant children separated from their parents and placed in detention centers, and migrant women subjected to sexual and reproductive abuses, among other timely topics. The chapter authors document a long list in what the book calls “Trump’s Reign of Terror.” Organized thematically, the book has four sections: The first gathers histories about the Trump years’ roots in a longer history of anti-migration; the second includes essays on artistic and activist responses on the border during the Trump years; the third critiques the normalization of Trump’s rhetoric and actions in popular media and culture; and the fourth envisions the future. Resistance and Abolition in the Borderlands is an essential reader for those wishing to understand the extent of the damage caused by the Trump era and its impact on Latinx people. Contributors Arturo J. Aldama Rebecca Avalos Cynthia Bejarano Tria Blu Wakpa Renata Carvalho Barreto Karma R. Chávez Leo R. Chavez Jennifer Cullison Jasmin Lilian Diab Allison Glover Jamila Hammami Alexandria Herrera Diana J. Lopez Sergio A. Macías Cinthya Martinez Alexis N. Meza Roberto A. Mónico José Enrique Navarro Jessica Ordaz Eliseo Ortiz Kiara Padilla Leslie Quintanilla J-M Rivera Heidy Sarabia Tina Shull Nishant Upadhyay Maria Vargas Antonio Vásquez