Open Hand, Closed Fist: Practices of Undocumented Organizing in a Hostile State

Undocumented activists in Arizona used storytelling, emotion cultures, and performative citizenship to organize and resist hostile legislation, registering thousands of new Latino voters and joining a national movement for justice for immigrants. These practices created both the open hand (affective bonds) and the closed fist (pragmatic strategies) necessary for the movement to mobilize and sustain itself over time.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

In the early 2000s, Arizona's campaign of attrition through enforcement aimed to make life so unbearable for undocumented immigrants that they would self-deport. Undocumented activists resisted hostile legislation, registered thousands of new Latino voters, and joined a national movement to advance justice for immigrants. Drawing on five years of observation and interviews with activists in Phoenix, Arizona, Kathryn Abrams explains how the practices of storytelling, emotion cultures, and performative citizenship fueled this grassroots movement. Together, these practices produced both the open hand (the affective bonds among participants) and the closed fist (the pragmatic strategies of resistance) that have allowed the movement to mobilize and sustain itself over time.

The movement's success can be attributed to its ability to harness the power of storytelling, emotion cultures, and performative citizenship. Storytelling was used to humanize the immigrants and their struggles, creating a sense of empathy and compassion among the broader public. Emotion cultures were employed to evoke strong emotions and create a sense of urgency around the issue, driving people to action. Performative citizenship was used to challenge dominant narratives and create new ones that emphasized the contributions and rights of immigrants.

One of the key practices of the movement was the use of storytelling. Activists told personal stories about their experiences as immigrants, highlighting the challenges they faced and the contributions they made to their communities. These stories were powerful tools for building empathy and compassion, and they helped to humanize the immigrants and their struggles.

Another important practice was the creation of emotion cultures. Activists used music, art, and cultural performances to evoke strong emotions and create a sense of urgency around the issue. These performances were often used as a way to mobilize people and to draw attention to the movement's goals.

Performative citizenship was also a key practice of the movement. Activists used their bodies and their voices to challenge dominant narratives and create new ones that emphasized the contributions and rights of immigrants. For example, they staged protests and marches, and they used social media to share their stories and raise awareness about the issue.

The movement's success can also be attributed to its ability to build strong networks and alliances with other organizations and individuals. Activists worked closely with legal organizations, labor unions, and religious groups to build a broad-based coalition that supported their goals. They also reached out to the broader public, using media and public events to build support for their cause.

In conclusion, the movement's success can be attributed to its ability to harness the power of storytelling, emotion cultures, and performative citizenship. These practices allowed the movement to mobilize and sustain itself over time, and they helped to create a sense of urgency and momentum around the issue of immigration reform. The movement's success is a testament to the power of grassroots activism and the importance of building strong networks and alliances to achieve social change.

Weight: 499g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520384422