The reading for Blocks 4 and 5 is We Are Not Dreamers: Undocumented Scholars Theorize Undocumented Life in the United States by Leisy J. Abrego and Genevieve Negrón-Gonzales.
This book is a collection of essays authored by undocumented and formerly undocumented scholars, exploring the “Dreamer narrative,” a term used to celebrate the educational and economic achievements of undocumented youth to justify a path to citizenship. To counter this narrative, these scholars theorize that those excluded from the Dreamer category are academically struggling students, transgender activists, and queer, undocumented parents. The contributors call for an expansive articulation of immigrant rights and justice that recognizes the full humanity of all undocumented immigrants while granting full and unconditional rights.
The Butler Center’s Advocates for Immigrant Justice (AIJ) and Peer Educators will be leading conversations about the book during Block 4 on Nov. 29, from 3-5 p.m. and Block 5 on Feb. 7, from 3-5 p.m. in the Rochelle T. Dickey Multicultural Lounge on the second floor of Worner. All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend. Please sign up for the Butler Center Newsletter to get more information about future discussions and events.
The Antiracist Book Club is meant to be self-led and asynchronous. We encourage you to create space to discuss these books and their topics in the spaces you already inhabit (e.g., department meetings, athletics teams, student clubs/organizations, etc.) at your own pace. Check out our webpage on upcoming readings for this year.
