Grace Peña Delgado’s groundbreaking book, Making the Chinese Mexican, offers a sophisticated exploration into the social and cultural history of the U.S.-Mexican borderlands, providing crucial insights into the often-overlooked experiences of Chinese migrants in this region. This seminal work masterfully blends detailed, ground-level perspectives with broad, analytical overviews, reshaping our understanding of migration and identity in the borderlands through the lens of the Chinese Mexican experience.
Scholars have lauded Making the Chinese Mexican for filling a significant gap in academic literature concerning Chinese Mexicans. Beyond this, its profound contribution lies in enriching broader scholarly conversations around nationalism, globalization, empire building, diaspora, and the complexities of racial identity. The book delves into transnationalism and cultural construction, offering a nuanced understanding of the borderlands and the multifaceted identities forged within them.
Delgado’s research pioneers a compelling transnational history of Chinese fronterizos, or borderlanders, meticulously analyzing the formation and evolution of Chinese-Mexican communities along the Arizona-Sonora border during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This pathbreaking analysis provides a detailed look into the daily lives of these Chinese borderlanders, offering borderland scholars an unprecedented and nuanced perspective. The book stands as a pioneering contribution to the historiography of the Chinese in Mexico and the borderlands, providing a vital resource for understanding this unique population.
Furthermore, Making the Chinese Mexican is recognized as a significant addition to borderland history, exemplifying the growing trend toward transnational examinations of border regions globally. It compellingly argues for the historical diversity and unpredictability of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands, highlighting both the commonalities and differences between the U.S. and Mexico in shaping the Chinese experience. Delgado’s work underscores the historical possibilities and tragedies inherent in this region, making it essential reading for social historians.
The book’s exploration of the Chinese presence is crucial for understanding contemporary perceptions of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. By adopting a transnational approach, Delgado connects the social history of Chinese Mexicans to broader global histories, including imperial Spain and Britain, and dynastic China. This approach reveals the intricate connections and networks that linked Chinese Mexicans to other Chinese communities worldwide. Making the Chinese Mexican is praised for its solid research, innovative approach, and compelling narrative, solidifying its place as a vital contribution to borderlands studies and the understanding of Chinese Mexican history.
