Brown Tide Rising

Metaphors of Latinos in Contemporary American Public Discourse

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
Cover of the book Brown Tide Rising by Otto Santa Ana, University of Texas Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Otto Santa Ana ISBN: 9780292774803
Publisher: University of Texas Press Publication: January 1, 2010
Imprint: University of Texas Press Language: English
Author: Otto Santa Ana
ISBN: 9780292774803
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Publication: January 1, 2010
Imprint: University of Texas Press
Language: English

"...awash under a brown tide...the relentless flow of immigrants..like waves on a beach, these human flows are remaking the face of America...." Since 1993, metaphorical language such as this has permeated mainstream media reporting on the United States' growing Latino population. In this groundbreaking book, Otto Santa Ana argues that far from being mere figures of speech, such metaphors produce and sustain negative public perceptions of the Latino community and its place in American society, precluding the view that Latinos are vested with the same rights and privileges as other citizens.Applying the insights of cognitive metaphor theory to an extensive natural language data set drawn from hundreds of articles in the Los Angeles Times and other media, Santa Ana reveals how metaphorical language portrays Latinos as invaders, outsiders, burdens, parasites, diseases, animals, and weeds. He convincingly demonstrates that three anti-Latino referenda passed in California because of such imagery, particularly the infamous anti-immigrant measure, Proposition 187. Santa Ana illustrates how Proposition 209 organizers broadcast compelling new metaphors about racism to persuade an electorate that had previously supported affirmative action to ban it. He also shows how Proposition 227 supporters used antiquated metaphors for learning, school, and language to blame Latino children's speech—rather than gross structural inequity—for their schools' failure to educate them. Santa Ana concludes by calling for the creation of insurgent metaphors to contest oppressive U.S. public discourse about minority communities.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

"...awash under a brown tide...the relentless flow of immigrants..like waves on a beach, these human flows are remaking the face of America...." Since 1993, metaphorical language such as this has permeated mainstream media reporting on the United States' growing Latino population. In this groundbreaking book, Otto Santa Ana argues that far from being mere figures of speech, such metaphors produce and sustain negative public perceptions of the Latino community and its place in American society, precluding the view that Latinos are vested with the same rights and privileges as other citizens.Applying the insights of cognitive metaphor theory to an extensive natural language data set drawn from hundreds of articles in the Los Angeles Times and other media, Santa Ana reveals how metaphorical language portrays Latinos as invaders, outsiders, burdens, parasites, diseases, animals, and weeds. He convincingly demonstrates that three anti-Latino referenda passed in California because of such imagery, particularly the infamous anti-immigrant measure, Proposition 187. Santa Ana illustrates how Proposition 209 organizers broadcast compelling new metaphors about racism to persuade an electorate that had previously supported affirmative action to ban it. He also shows how Proposition 227 supporters used antiquated metaphors for learning, school, and language to blame Latino children's speech—rather than gross structural inequity—for their schools' failure to educate them. Santa Ana concludes by calling for the creation of insurgent metaphors to contest oppressive U.S. public discourse about minority communities.

More books from University of Texas Press

Cover of the book El Inca by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book For God and Country? by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Woven on the Loom of Time by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Cinema, Colonialism, Postcolonialism by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Turn Out the Lights by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Why the Chisholm Trail Forks and Other Tales of the Cattle Country by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Viewpoints by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Taming the Nueces Strip by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book LBJ and the Presidential Management of Foreign Relations by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Mier Expedition Diary by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Colonialism and Christianity in Mandate Palestine by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Stylistic and Narrative Structures in the Middle English Romances by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Texas Cemeteries by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Intimate Commerce by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Images from the Underworld by Otto Santa Ana
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy