Everyday Injustice - (Perspectives on a Multiracial America) by Maria Chávez (Paperback)

About the Book

As members of the fastest-growing demographic group in America, Latinos are increasingly represented in the professional class, but they continue to face significant racism. Everyday Injustice introduces readers to the challenges facing Latino professionals today. Despite considerable success in overcoming educational, economic, and class barriers, Latino professionals still experience marginalization. A powerful illustration of racism and inequality in America.

Book Synopsis

As members of the fastest-growing demographic group in America, Latinos are increasingly represented in the professional class, but they continue to face significant racism. Everyday Injustice introduces readers to the challenges facing Latino professionals today.

Examining the experiences of many of the most privileged members of the largest racial and ethnic community in the United States, Maria Chávez provides important insights into the challenges facing racialized groups, particularly Latinos, in the United States. Her study looks at Latino lawyers in depth, weaving powerful personal stories and interview excerpts with a broader analysis of survey research and focus groups. The book examines racial framing in America, the role of language and culture among Latino professionals, the role of Latinos in the workplace, their level of civic participation, and the important role that education plays in improving their experiences. One chapter discusses the unique challenges that Latinas face in the workplace as both women and people of color.

The findings outlined in Everyday Injustice suggest that despite considerable success in overcoming educational, economic, and class barriers, Latino professionals still experience marginalization. A powerful illustration of racism and inequality in America.

Review Quotes

Everyday Injustice is the first comprehensive study of the experiences of Latino lawyers with racism and discrimination. Even though they have prevailed through the education process to become lawyers, Latino attorneys are often stereotyped as perpetual 'foreigners' to the United States, even though their families may have been in the country for generations. Citizens or not, Latino lawyers face their own struggles to become full members of the legal profession rather than marginalized outsiders. As Maria Chávez demonstrates, the discrimination is just as much a fact of life for Latino lawyers as it is for low-and medium-skilled workers. Moreover, Latina lawyers, as both racial minorities and women, face gender as well as racial stereotypes that contribute to their marginalization in the legal profession. After reading Everyday Injustice and 'having listened to the stories from the diverse group of Latino lawyers in this study, ' one must conclude that the racial hostility and discrimination that they regularly suffer means that 'despite our progress with race relations, we [as a nation] still have a long way to go.'

Examining the experiences of many of the most privileged members of the largest racial and ethnic community in the United States, author Maria Chávez provides important insights into the challenges facing 'racialized' groups, particularly Latinos, in the United States. Her study looks at Latino lawyers in depth, weaving powerful personal stories and interviews excerpts with a broader analysis of survey research and focus groups.
Foreword Reviews

Lawyers rank among the most respected and well-compensated professionals in the US. If the Latinos and Latinas among them experience discrimination, what does that say about the US and about people even less privileged? Political scientist Chávez (Pacific Lutheran Univ.) addresses these and related questions, skillfully employing extensive and often evocative interviews plus carefully designed surveys. Chávez argues that "systemic racism" is "normal," unseen by mainstream Americans but with observable consequences even for this relatively elite population she studies. Comparing data across ethnicity and gender, she reinforces understandings about how minority men and especially women have to work harder to succeed in school and on the job, and of their lower glass ceilings. Her most original findings highlight the costs of living in two cultures--a mainstream-dominated profession and "communities of origin." Gendered expectations within their home communities exacerbate Latinas' difficulties in reconciling conflicting demands. Chávez also demonstrates that Latino/Latina professionals engage extensively in civic organizations in both spheres, contributing to both and bridging the gaps between them. Recognizing the effects of class on all American populations could have strengthened this already excellent analysis. Summing Up: Recommended. All libraries, all readership levels.
Choice Reviews

About the Author

Maria Chávez is associate professor of political science at Pacific Lutheran University. She blogs for www.racismreview.com and lives in Lacey, Washington.

Joe R. Feagin is Ella C. McFadden Professor of Sociology at Texas A&M University and author of a number of influential books on race in America, including The White Racial Frame.