UCLA

The process of forging Latino political solidarity requires the navigation of racial, ethnic, and generational differences that produce substantial in-group fragmentation. This dissertation explores that fragmentation by examining the spatial conditions that make political solidarity possible through a case-study of Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. Using the Bourdieusian concept of habitus, I argue that engagement with racialized habitus is a necessary step for cultivating a sense of political obligation among Latinos through an analysis of spatiality, racialization and intersubjective exchange. Specifically, I explore the how sociohistorical conditions create racialized networks that influence identity and raise awareness of the group’s marginalized status. The findings from this study suggest that Latinos who engage with racialized habitus are more likely to engage in the type of political behaviors we associate with group solidarity. Moreover, the findings suggest that the relationship between race and space is critical for forging political networks in racialized groups. Symbolic interactions with these networks are critical for cultivating political solidarity among Latinos.