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 Science among the Ottomans by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Boss Rule in South Texas by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book What is la hispanidad? by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Pachangas by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Trees & Shrubs of the Trans-Pecos and Adjacent Areas by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book The Brazilians by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Where No Black Woman Has Gone Before by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Eleanor of Aquitaine by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Unrest in Brazil by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Every Intellectual's Big Brother by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Speech Genres and Other Late Essays by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Butterflies Will Burn by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book A Lawless Breed by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book Mexican Anarchism after the Revolution by Otto Santa Ana
Cover of the book An Extraordinary Year of Ordinary Days 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