UC San Diego

This thesis analyzes early twentieth newspaper coverage following six murder and assault trials involving Punjabis, Mexicans and Black migrants in the Imperial Valley. Because this thesis is a comparative ethnic studies project, I argue the multiracial lives Punjabis created with Mexicans were classified in relationship to the public disavowal of sex between Blacks and Whites. Using these trials, I examine how race was understood under sexual terms in the courts and how sexuality was classified according to racial difference. These court testimonies and newspapers provide alternative narratives to consider the multiracial solidarities Mexicans, Blacks and Punjabis created with one another in order to dissent against immigration detainment, police enforcement and the criminalization of their sexual lives