The Colonias Reader: Economy, Housing and Public Health in U.S.-Mexico Border Colonias / Edition 3

by Angela J. Donelson, Adrian X. Esparza

Overview

The colonias of the U.S.–Mexico border form a loose network of more than 2,500 settlements, ranging in size from villages to cities, that are home to over a million people. While varying in size, all share common features: wrenching poverty, substandard housing, and public health issues approaching crisis levels. This book brings together scholars, professionals, and activists from a wide range of disciplines to examine the pressing issues of economic development, housing and community development, and public and environmental health in colonias of the four U.S.–Mexico border states.

The Colonias Reader is the first book to present such a broad overview of these communities, offering a glimpse into life in the colonias and the circumstances that allow them to continue to exist—and even grow—in persistent poverty. The contributors document the depth of existing problems in each state and describe how government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and community activists have mobilized resources to overcome obstacles to progress.

More than reporting problems and documenting programs, the book provides conceptual frameworks that tie poverty to institutional and class-based conflicts, and even challenges the very basis of colonia designations. Most of these contributions move beyond portraying border residents as hapless victims of discrimination and racism, showing instead their devotion to improving their own living conditions through grassroots organizing and community leadership.

These contributions show that, despite varying degrees of success, all colonia residents aspire to a livable wage, safe and decent housing, and basic health care. The Colonias Reader showcases many situations in which these people have organized to fulfill these ambitions and provides new insight into life along the border.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780816528523
Publisher:	University of Arizona Press
Publication date:	05/15/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Angela J. Donelson is president of Donelson Consulting in Tucson and co-author of Colonias in Arizona and New Mexico: Border Poverty and Community Development Solutions, also published by the University of Arizona Press. Adrian X. Esparza is an associate professor in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Arizona. He is co-author of Colonias in Arizona and New Mexico: Border Poverty and Community Development Solutions, also published by the University of Arizona Press.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part I Colonia Economics and Economic Development

1 The U.S.-Mexico Border Economy Oscar J. Martínez 15

2 Microbusiness in Texas colonias Cecilia Giusti 30

3 Economic Development in New Mexico's Colonias Robert Czerniak David Hohstadt 44

4 Arizona's Evolving Colonias Economy Vera Pavlakovich-Kochi Adrian X. Esparza 57

5 Agricultural Prosperity, Rural Poverty, and California's Colonias Vinit Mukhija 72

Part II Housing and Community Development

6 Colonia Housing and Community Development Lydia Arizmendi David Arizmendi Angela Donelson 87

7 Housing in Texas Colonias John Henneberger Kristin Carlisle Karen Paup 101

8 Sustainable, Affordable Homeownership in Arizona and New Mexico Colonias Angela Donelson Esperanza Holguin 115

9 Faith and Development in the Colonias of New Mexico and Arizona David S. Heukel Jr. 133

10 Farmworkers, Housing, and California's Colonias John Mealey 146

Part III Colonias Health and the Environment

11 Living Betwixt and Between: Conditions of Health in Borderland Colonias Marlynn May 163

12 Colonias Health Issues in Texas Sergio Peña E. Lee Rosenthal 176

13 Social Justice and Health in Arizona Border Communities: The Community Health Worker Model Samantha Sabo Main Ingram Ashley Wennerstrom 190

14 Urbanization and Environmental Health in Arizona Colonias Laura Norman 204

15 Environmental Pollution and Quality of Life in Imperial Valley's Colonias Kimberly Collins 218

Part IV Conclusion: Reflections and Directions

16 A Sustainability Praxis for the Future of Colonias Development and Colonias Studies William D. Smith 235

Works Cited 247

About the Editors 277

About the Contributors 279

Index 285

Editorial Reviews

Published in 2010, the book remains relevant overall in highlighting key issues and debates found in scholarly and advocacy work in this field.”—Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Anthropology ?

From the Publisher