Entre Nosotras/os: Theorizing, Researching, and Constructing Cross-Latina/o Relations in the United States

Finding the missing link? The impact of co-ethnicity, pan-ethnicity, and cross-ethnicity on Latino vote choice

“…Whereas pan-ethnicity may provide a cue to a voter that the candidate in question will represent the broader Latino community, we contend that the presence of a cross-ethnic candidate for some voters primes the history of ethnic tensions and competition for scarce resources that has characterized relations between Hispanic ethnic groups in the United States. This contextual cue and associated prime then leads the voter in question to surmise the candidate will indeed provide more particularized substantive benefits to members of the candidate’s own ethnic community at the expense of the voter’s ethnic community (Ochoa 2008; Horowitz 1985; Padilla 1985; Bohn 2000; Fraga et al 2010; Carey et al 2013; Mallet and Pinto-Coehlo 2018). As a result, the cues provided by a cross-ethnic candidate may be more deleterious and could potentially decrease the level of electoral support relative to the presence of a pan-ethnic or co-ethnic candidate.…”

“…Given the primacy of ethnic identification among Latinos in the United States, we expect that Latinos exposed to a co-ethnic candidate will express greater support for the candidate in question relative to Latinos who are exposed to a pan-ethnic candidate. Additionally, we hypothesize that given the incidence of inter-ethnic tensions among Latinos living in the United States (Bohn 2000; Ochoa 2008; Fraga et al 2006; Carey et al 2013; Mallet and Pinto-Coehlo 2018), we expect that when respondents are exposed to Latino candidates whose ethnicity does not match their own, what we call “cross-ethnicity,” that Latinos will exhibit less support for the Latino candidate when compared to Latinos exposed to a pan-ethnic or a co-ethnic Latino candidate.…”

¿Usted Va al Capitolio También?: Adult Immigrants’ Positioning in Response to News and Digital Media about Immigration Policy

“…Furthermore, first‐generation immigrants negotiate the multiple categories available within the panethnic Latino or Hispanic labels. These reconfigurations affect their interactions, alignment, and solidarity: on one end, divided by institutional and historical processes (e.g., on the basis of national origin or immigration status), and on the other end, brought together by their shared struggles (Bejarano ; Ochoa ) such as SB 1070.…”

“…While cultural citizenship centers on groupings based on cultural identity, it is helpful to also explore other conditions that shape how group boundaries are formed and contested (Scollon and Scollon ); for instance, in affiliations motivated by a common endeavor, instead of cultural background (e.g., Gee's [2004] notion of affinity groups). Gilda Ochoa () reminds us that the relationships within a heterogeneous Latino community range from antagonism, shared connections, to collective action; and these alliances or conflicts are shaped by macro and micro social phenomena. Senate Bill 1070 and related news coverage not only created a polarizing debate in public discourse but also within the group affected by this policy and ideologies.…”