In light of recent anti-immigrant sentiment and political action, this panel will explore the ways in which racism and xenophobic policy have changed the Latina/o literary output in America. What challenges do Latina/o immigrants, both documented and undocumented, face today? How are these challenges different from those faced by Latina/o immigrants who arrived earlier in the 20th century? How have Latina/o literary voices shifted in the face of these new challenges?

Contact Melissa Bobe, Rutgers University, at apis.melissa@gmail.com. DEADLINE: September 30, 2012.

Topics explored may include (but are not limited to):

borders
(im)migration
policing/censorship
fear/intimidation tactics
violence/trauma
news and media
the (in)justice system
political rhetoric/immigration as a platform in elections
pop culture influences/stereotypes
linguistic/cultural oppression
internment/imprisonment/quarantine
machismo
children and family structure/values
(hyphenated) identity
voice/(systematic) silence
English with an accent
shattered families
el barrio
racial passing
region/demographics