Mexamerica

Langley (Central America: The Real Stakes) here assesses the complex relations within MexAmericageographically encompassing Southern California and the Southwest but increasingly involving the entire U.S.and the impact of values, contributions and problems brought by Mexican immigrants to our economy, politics and culture. With keen, persuasive analysis, he compares urban and rural communities where Mexicans predominate and shows that while the people outwardly adapt to American ways, most, fiercely attached to their native heritage, resist acculturation. He discusses the dilemma of a Mexican-American middle-class of such recent status that its members are unable to consolidate ethnic and class concerns. He cites the heated issues of bilingualism and boarder control and provocatively argues that volatile U.S. immigration laws challenge America's tradition as a multicultural society. Employed in low-paying service jobs or as factory workers, or as stoop labor in California, the majority of Mexican-Americans, according to the author, remain primarily refugees from Mexico's disastrous agricultural policies and corrupt bureaucracy rather than integrated and respected participants in American life. (March)