
What Side Are You on?
A Tohono O'odham Life Across Borders
The University of North Carolina Press
Published on 4. June 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
214 pages
978-1-4696-7558-9 (ISBN)
Description
Renowned human rights activist Michael "Mike" Wilson has borne witness to the profound human costs of poverty, racism, border policing, and the legacies of colonialism. From a childhood in the mining town of Ajo, Arizona, Wilson's life journey led him to US military service in Central America, seminary education, and religious and human rights activism against the abuses of US immigration policies. With increased militarization of the US-Mexico border, migration across the Tohono O'odham Nation surged, as did migrant deaths and violent encounters between tribal citizens and US Border Patrol agents. When Wilson's religious and ethical commitments led him to set up water stations for migrants on the Nation's lands, it brought him into conflict not only with the US government but also with his own tribal and religious communities.
This richly textured and collaboratively written memoir brings Wilson's experiences to life. Joining Wilson as coauthor, Jose Antonio Lucero adds political and historical context to Wilson's personal narrative. Together they offer a highly original portrait of an O'odham life across borders that sheds light on the struggles and resilience of Native peoples across the Americas.
This richly textured and collaboratively written memoir brings Wilson's experiences to life. Joining Wilson as coauthor, Jose Antonio Lucero adds political and historical context to Wilson's personal narrative. Together they offer a highly original portrait of an O'odham life across borders that sheds light on the struggles and resilience of Native peoples across the Americas.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Chapel Hill
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
15 images, 1 map
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
372 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4696-7558-9 (9781469675589)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Michael Steven Wilson | José Antonio Lucero
What Side Are You On?
A Tohono O'odham Life across Borders
E-Book
04/2024
The University of North Carolina Press
€9.49
Available for download
Persons
Michael Steven Wilson (Tohono O'odham) is a human rights activist, US military retiree, and film documentarian. He lives in Tucson, Arizona.
Jose Antonio Lucero is chair and professor in the Comparative History of Ideas Department at the University of Washington, Seattle and holds a joint appointment in the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies.
Jose Antonio Lucero is chair and professor in the Comparative History of Ideas Department at the University of Washington, Seattle and holds a joint appointment in the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies.