African American and Latinx History of the United States

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Spanning over two centuries, this revolutionary narrative history argues that the "Global South" was vital to America's development. Scholar and activist Paul Ortiz challenges the glorified notions of westward expansion, such as "manifest destiny," by placing African American, Latinx, and Indigenous voices at the forefront. This approach transforms US history into a tale of working-class resistance against imperialism. Ortiz draws on rich narratives and primary sources, linking racial segregation in the Southwest and the rise and fall of Mexican labor organizing to the events of May 1, 2006, International Workers' Day, when diverse migrant laborers united in protest during the first "Day Without Immigrants." As civil rights activists battled Jim Crow and Mexican labor organizers confronted capitalism, Black and Spanish-language newspapers, abolitionists, and Latin American revolutionaries collaborated across borders. In contrast to the "America first" rhetoric, contemporary Black and Latinx intellectuals advocate for solidarity with nations in the Americas. This incisive, bottom-up history reveals how the diaspora has tackled ongoing issues in the United States and offers pathways for the continued struggle for universal civil rights.