Latinos in America - by Jorge J E Gracia (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A first-of-its-kind book that seriously and profoundly examines what it means philosophically to be Latino and where Latinos fit in American society.

• Offers a fresh perspective and clearer understanding of Latin American thought and culture, rejecting answers based on stereotypes and fear
• Takes an interdisciplinary approach to the philosophical, social, and political elements of Hispanic/Latino identity, touching upon anthropology, history, cultural studies and sociology, as well as philosophy
• Written by Jorge J. E. Gracia, one of the most influential thinkers of Hispanic/Latino descent

From the Back Cover

What is it to be Latino? What is the place of Latinos in America? And how do Latinos think about themselves and their identity? This is the first book to ask and answer these questions in a philosophical context. It rejects answers based on stereotypes that feed the fear generated in both the Latino and non-Latino population by the enormous growth of Latino numbers in the United States. And it proposes a new way of thinking about Latinos based on a familial-historical view that allows for negotiation, accommodation, and change.

The task is accomplished in three parts. The first goes to the source of misunderstandings concerning Latino identity, the problem of Latino identification, and the significance of the two general labels used to refer to Latinos, 'Latinos' and 'Hispanics'. The second part explores the problems encountered by Latinos in American society, paying particular attention to the marketplace, affirmative action, and language rights. The third part looks into who Latinos think they are by proposing an original conception of Latino philosophy with roots in Latin America, and by discussing the place it occupies in American and world philosophy.

Review Quotes

"Philosophy professor Gracia offers a welcome contribution to the discussion regarding identity formation and, specifically, the role this plays in the lives of Latinos. His comprehensive account grapples with the potential misunderstandings associated with Latino identity ... .Gracia makes an original contribution at every step of the way, challenging readers to drop the usual either/or-type thinking that governs identity politics. There is little doubt that this book provides the penetrative analysis necessary to confront these concerns. Useful for undergraduate students, graduate students, researchers, and faculty concerned with identity formation and Latin American philosophy generally. Highly recommended." (Choice Reviews, December 2008)

About the Author

Jorge J. E. Gracia holds the Samuel P. Capen Chair in Philosophy and is SUNY Distinguished Professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Among his recent publications are: Surviving Race, Ethnicity, and Nationality: A Challenge for the Twenty-First Century (ed., 2005), The Classics of Western Philosophy (ed., Blackwell 2003), A Companion to Philosophy in the Middle Ages (Blackwell 2003), and Hispanic/Latino Identity: A Philosophical Perspective (Blackwell 2000).