Shifting Borders

Kent A. Ono is an Associate Professor in the American Studies and Asian American Studies programs at the University of California, Davis. He is the co-editor of Enterprise Zones: Critical Positions on Star Trek. John M. Sloop is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Vanderbilt University. He is the author of The Cultural Prison, co-editor of Judgment Calls and Mapping the Beat.

• Acknowledgments 1. Introduction 2. The Proliferation of Enemies to the National Body 3. Pro-187 California Nativism in the Los Angeles Times 4. Opposition and Complicity in the Los Angeles Times 5. Complicity and Resistance in Vernacular Discourse 6. Outlaw Vernacular Discourse: Thinking Otherwise 7. Conclusion Appendix: Excerpts from the Proposition 187 Ballot Notes References Index

"This is a subtle, incisive, and provocative analysis of the complex political rhetoric undergirding the debate over immigration and citizenship in contemporary American society. The book's strength lies in its sharp analysis of the constant tension and struggle between those intent on perpetuating social hierarchies based on narrow conceptions of American citizenship and those struggling to dismantle such systems of categorization in their quest to create a more democratic society. In the aftermath of September 11, Ono and Sloop's thoughtful treatment should provoke sober reconsideration of some of the most pressing social and political issues of our time." -David G. Gutierrez, University of California, San Diego "Shifting Borders offers a comprehensive reading of the Proposition 187 controversy. It employs an alternative way of thinking about this [issue], and reminds us to think about race relations in the new century. The contextualizing is particularly well done. It is as if Ono and Sloop stand on a firetower and see the fire in the distance that is coming our way." -Thomas Nakayama, Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Arizona State University "The authors contend that studying Proposition 187 allows them to look for connections between and explanations about migration, xenophobia, citizenship, nativism, social borders, and even international relationships. It is their opinion that Proposition 187 'shatters the cultural assumption that the United States is a 'post-racist' society.' Ono and Sloop have produced a well-written and scholarly work that is thoroughly documented with extensive notes and references." -Choice