The Power of One: Enrique Morones and the Border Angels' Mission to Save Lives

By SAFIYA MOHAMED

In Border Angels: The Power of One, Enrique Morones, with Richard Griswold del Castillo, tells the inspiring story of his fight to save lives and stand up for human rights at the U.S.-Mexico border. Morones, who founded the Border Angels organization, witnessed firsthand the deadly consequences of immigration enforcement policies and became a tireless advocate for those caught in the crossfire. 

Born in San Diego to a Mexican family, Morones is the first in his family to have dual citizenship. His roots in activism run deep, with his father, Luis N. Morones, founding Mexico’s first major labor union, the Confederación Regional Obrera Mexicana. Enrique’s passion for justice led him to become a leading voice against the humanitarian crisis caused by policies like Operation Gatekeeper, which, beginning in 1994, ramped up border enforcement and led to increased migrant deaths.

Morones’ journey into activism started within his own community. A chance encounter with a friend who worked with an outreach group at the Elizabeth Seaton Catholic Church revealed a harsh reality: migrants were living in the canyons of North County, San Diego, in deplorable conditions. Shocked from what he heard, Morones began regularly volunteering, which eventually inspired him to launch Border Angels.

When his marketing career with the San Diego Padres came to an end, Morones committed full-time to his humanitarian work. From organizing caravans across the country to raise awareness of migrant issues to speaking on national television programs like The Today Show, Larry King Live, and Sabado Gigante, Morones became a powerful voice for the immigrant community. His activism reached beyond local efforts, organizing relief for migrants during disasters, such as the 2007 San Diego firestorm. 

Enrique Morones for University of San Diego 2013 Alumni Honoree

Morones calls on others to join the cause, emphasizing the importance of local, national, and international efforts to save immigrant lives and hold the United States accountable to its promises of justice and equality. Border Angels: The Power of One serves as a testimonio, a personal account of the political events surrounding immigration, while honoring the lives of those lost in the pursuit of freedom. The book includes a list of immigrant deaths from 1994 to 2007 and 31 silent epitaphs, providing a sobering reminder of the human cost of the border crisis.

Morones also debunks common myths about undocumented immigrants, sharing the realities of their struggles and providing a powerful message of hope and action.

As Paul F. Chavez, son of legendary activist Cesar Chavez, states, “Courageous members of the Border Angels are honoring the legacy of my father by making a powerful statement against inhumanity and oppression endured on our border by innocent immigrants.” Border Angels: The Power of One is not just a memoir—it's a call to action to continue the fight for justice, compassion, and the lives of those who seek a better future.

For anyone seeking to understand the true impact of immigration policies and the tireless efforts of activists like Morones, this book is a must-read.

Border Angels - About Us

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ISBN-10: 1938537904   

ISBN-13: 978-1-938537-90-5

Introducing Splice Volume 5: The Revitalized Undergraduate Research Journal of SDSU

By SAFIYA MOHAMED

Presenting Volume 5 of Splice, the Undergraduate Research Journal of the SDSU College of Arts and Letters, originally printed in the Fall of 2019. This issue marks a fresh start for the journal, following a major redesign from its previous incarnation, "URJCAL: The Undergraduate Research Journal of the College of Arts and Letters." As Editor-in-Chief Jana Jarvis explains, the redesign "upholds our mission of engaging undergraduate students with the rigors of academic research and maintains our core values as a collaborative, multidisciplinary text." 

Splice serves as a unique platform that unites a vast array of academic fields, spotlighting the diversity and depth of research fostered by SDSU’s College of Arts and Letters. By bridging the humanities and social sciences, the journal offers students a space to showcase their scholarly work and contribute to interdisciplinary dialogue.

This issue represents a new chapter for Splice and for the students and alumni of SDSU. Featured within Volume 5 are thought-provoking essays that explore a wide range of topics, demonstrating the intellectual curiosity and academic rigor of SDSU students. Here’s what you’ll find inside:

• "Caging for Profits: Rethinking the Neoliberal State and the Rise of the Prison Industrial Complex" by Aliona Galkina

• "Watershed Management in the Eastern Sierra Region of California: Changes to Water Policies in the Long and Owens Valleys and Potential Effects on Dependent Communities" by Calvin Forsythe

• "Capitães da Areia: Crianças ou Adultos?" by Pricilla Moreno

• "Assessing Descartes’ Ontological Argument: Dissecting Attributes and Clarifying the Idea of 'God'" by Lashele Jackson

• "The Names of God" by Roda Saoor

• "The Rise of ISIS: Grievances Trump Religion" by Naomi Moore

• "Waste and War" by Miles Reyes

For SDSU students and alumni, Splice is more than just a journal—it's an ongoing conversation, a community of scholars committed to pushing the boundaries of research, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Whether you’re currently at SDSU or have moved on to new endeavors, this journal is a testament to the exceptional academic work being done by members of the SDSU community.

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ISBN: 978-1-938537-14-1

Amir Issaa’s This Is What I Live For: A Powerful Afro-Italian Hip-Hop Memoir

By SAFIYA MOHAMED

“I don’t need excuses to be myself. None of us do. My name is Amir Issaa, I am Italian, I am Egyptian, I am not a foreigner in any place in the world.” 

These words are at the heart of Amir Issaa’s memoir, This Is What I Live For: An Afro-Italian Hip-Hop Memoir, a groundbreaking work that blends personal narrative with the rhythms of rap. Edited by Clarissa Clò, this bilingual edition is crafted like a concept album, with each “track” building toward a larger, unified story. For anyone interested in the intersection of identity, culture, and social justice, this memoir offers a fresh perspective that is as much about hip-hop as it is about resilience, family, and fighting against systemic oppression. 

Raised in the Tor Pignattara neighborhood of Rome by his Egyptian father and Italian mother, Issaa’s upbringing was shaped by his interfaith, interracial background. He reflects on how his mother’s relentless work to support their family while his father was incarcerated, his formative experiences in a city like Rome, and the pervasive influence of hip-hop in Italian youth culture helped shape his identity. Despite facing racism and social injustices, Issaa's music became his outlet, channeling the anger and frustration he felt about the discrimination he and others like him experienced.

Issaa’s rap is a defiant act of resistance—his lyrics denounce racism, classism, and the oppression faced by marginalized communities in Italy. With raw honesty, he describes how being discriminated against for his name, skin color, and perceived immigrant status fueled his drive to break free from society’s expectations.

Italy, traditionally a racially and culturally homogeneous country, saw hip-hop make its mark in the '80s as a youth-driven movement. Issaa’s journey into hip-hop culture was an evolution—beginning with skateboarding, then graffiti, followed by breakdancing, before finally embracing rap. His debut album, Uomo di prestigio, released in 2006, marked the start of a musical career that has continued to inspire others. Before becoming an educator and traveling internationally to teach hip-hop workshops, Issaa used his music as a platform for social change. 

This Is What I Live For is more than just a memoir—it's a love letter to his family, especially his mother, sister, and the strong women who raised him. It’s also a call to recognize the role of politics and social divisions in Italian society, from the tensions between left and right-wing ideologies to the persistence of fascist thought. Through his story, Issaa invites readers into the heart of Italian youth culture and the transformative power of hip-hop.

For anyone passionate about music, identity, and social justice, This Is What I Live For is a must-read. It’s a powerful reminder of the strength found in embracing your true self and the power of storytelling to challenge the status quo.

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Bohemia in Southern California- A Romantic History of the Unconvential Artists of Los Angeles

California is truly one of a kind. With a combination of Spanish, Mexican, Native American, and Anglo people, California developed an artistic culture distinct from the rest of the United States. But In Jay Ruby’s book, Bohemia in Southern California, he has curated a collection of essays that depict California’s rich Bohemian history and culture. But what is ‘’Bohemia”?

When I think of bohemia, I think of loose, paisley print pants, straw hats, board shorts, and surfboards. There’s also the song Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, which was very popular for still unknown reasons. Through my research I’ve also learned that there used to be a country called Bohemia in what is now the Czech Republic. For today’s purpose, we’re going to circle back to my initial thought. Bohemia is a section of California beach culture. Ruby himself calls his definition an “attempt”- stating that a bohemian is someone involved in the arts who lives an unconventional life, usually in a community of like-minded persons. As LA became the hub for film in the United states, there was an influx of artistic people moving to the city. It wasn’t until the sixties that art other than renaissance pieces became popular and more accessible to the general public.

With this shift, we see the lower class begin to embody more of what we know now as Californian bohemian culture. A anti-capitalist, pro-nature approach to living life. Unsurprisingly, bohemian culture spread across the social classes, giving Southern California the laid back attitude it still has today. With the rise of bohemia came the hippie movement, a mix of people that were environmentalists and those that liked the aesthetic of poverty and drugs. As an artistic and alternative movement, it attracted people that wanted to live “unconventional” lives. It’s the unconventional aspect that makes Southern Californian Bohemia different than any other, as Los Angeles isn’t an urban city. Beachgoers and surfers, unaffectionately nicknamed “beach bums” in 1950, wanted to get away from the structure of regular working. As bohemian and beach culture intertwined, they became the prevalent Southern Californian culture to those outside the area.

Within the book, there’s a focus on six communities. Arroyo Seco, Edendale, Santa Barbara, Malibu/Topanga Beach, Venice, and Laurel Canyon. These communities are all in the greater Los Angeles area. As they are now, some of these communities aren’t quite as bohemian-artsy as they once were. They are very conventional, some being upper class neighborhoods, but they all still have that Southern Californian bohemian art in their core. Aside from Santa Barbara, each community has multiple essays, each focusing on a different aspect of bohemian history and culture.

This impressive and illustrated anthology features 12 different perspectives. The authors are Californians, scholars, artists, whose unique lives add a multidisciplinary approach to the study of Bohemian culture. And with its focus on specific communities and not Southern California as a whole, it’s clear that Ruby made this book as a love letter to the history of Southern Californian artistry. I highly recommend this book as an addition to the traditional California history and art books due to the level of detail and different perspectives.

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ISBN: 1938537106

Paper / Pages: 262 / $22.95

2017

Exploring Zaum: How Russian Futurism Revolutionized Art and Language

 By SAFIYA MOHAMED

“To all who work to keep human nature indeterminate.”

In the world of avant-garde art and poetry, few movements have been as bold and transformative as Russian Futurism. At its core lies Zaum, a concept that defies convention and pushes the boundaries of communication. If you’re fascinated by the intersection of creativity, culture, and disruption, Zaum: The Transrational Poetry of Russian Futurism by Gerald Janecek is a must-read.

Zaum: ...Russian Futurism

Zaum: The Transrational Poetry of Russian Futurism is an encyclopedic account of Zaum, one of the most distinctive features of Russian avant-garde art and poetry in the early 20th century. Drawing from a vast array of arcane and often inaccessible sources, Janecek aims to make the historical records of Zaum theory and practice readable and comprehensive. This makes his work an essential resource for anyone interested in modern art and poetry, particularly students of Russian Futurism.

Zaum, a neologism of Russian Futurism, describes words or language with “indefinite” or indeterminate meaning. It is also translated as “trans-mental,” “transrational,” “trans-sense,” “metalogical,” or even “nonsense” language—think abstract poetry meets linguistic rebellion. Gerald Janecek’s in-depth exploration traces its origins to Aleksei Kruchenykh’s groundbreaking 1912 poem “Dyr bul shchyl,” which shattered the norms of traditional language by using nonsensical sounds to evoke emotion. This marked a radical shift in Russian literary practices.

What makes Zaum truly fascinating is its dual role as both a literary and cultural tool. Janecek also highlights pivotal works like Kruchenykh’s Universal War (1916), which blends transrational poetry with abstract collages, showcasing the synergy of linguistic and visual avant-garde techniques. Zaum reflected the Futurists’ ambition to transcend rational thought and tap into a deeper, more primal form of expression. Innovators such as Kruchenykh, Velimir Khlebnikov, and other Futurists sought to develop a language that could evoke emotional and intellectual responses without being restricted by traditional linguistic rules. Zaum represented the Futurists’ desire to challenge societal norms and embrace rapid change. Their vision was simple yet profound: to create a language that transcends words and connects on a deeper, more emotional level.

In practice, Zaum appeared in both poetry and visual art, utilizing invented sounds and abstract forms to convey meaning beyond the literal. Janecek emphasizes how Zaum was more than a literary technique; it was a cultural tool that mirrored the rapid social and political changes of early 20th-century Russia. By challenging established norms, the Futurists revolutionized both art and communication, creating a legacy that continues to influence modern creative practices.

For marketers and creatives, Zaum offers valuable lessons in thinking beyond the literal. It’s a reminder that effective storytelling doesn’t always have to follow established rules—it’s about making an impact and creating meaningful connections. Take a cue from Zaum—don't be afraid to disrupt, innovate, and let your creativity speak a language of its own.

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ISBN 1-879691-41-8 
Paper, 428 pp.
US $30.00
2023

Discover the Timeless Poetry of Gabriel Trujillo Muñoz

By SAFIYA MOHAMED

If you’re searching for poetry that transcends borders and speaks to the heart of the human condition, Permanent Work: Poems 1981–1992 by Gabriel Trujillo Muñoz is a must-read. This remarkable collection celebrates Muñoz’s Mexicali heritage while offering universal insights into life’s triumphs, struggles, and mysteries. This collection includes Perceptions (1983), Death Trap (1987), Behind the Mirage (1989), Mandrágora (1989), Glimpses (1991), and In Plain Light (1992), all translated by Dr. Gustavo V. Segade, Robert L. Jones, and Patricia L. Irby.

Permanent Work: 1981-1992

“In the poems that constitute this collection, just such a quest is present. From the animistic texts that honor nature to the poems that recreate the histories of the world, its characters, and its conflicts, the reader can see my eagerness to doubt myself as a contemporary of my contemporaries, to be a sorcerer's apprentice who, as Vicente Huidobro would say, ‘…has planted the tree he had in his eyes and contemplates the world from there, speaking to you and telling you the secrets of the universe.’” — Muñoz

These poems honor nature, explore cultural histories, and reflect on human experiences with profound honesty and imagination. Muñoz describes his poetry as a practice of staging the experiences that make up the human condition: triumphs and defeats, dreams and struggles, joys and pains. For Muñoz, poetry is a "footprint," representing the diverse transformations and stories of human life. His work explores Mexican culture and the border communities that shaped him, placing his poetry metaphorically "on the border" not only in its themes but also in its openness and inclusivity.

Gabriel Trujillo Muñoz for Suburbano

In the words of Humberto Felix Berumen, Muñoz is “one of the most prolific, versatile, and consistent writers of his generation. To his diversity of genres, we must add the diversity of themes he touches upon: criticism of painting in Baja California, science fiction tales, motion picture critiques, poetic reflections on the meaning of life and death, literary history of Baja California, cultural criticism, video, and dance scripts.”

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ISBN 1-879691-13-2
Paper / Pages: 96 / $14.95
1993

San Diego State University: A Legacy in Word and Image – Celebrating the History, Growth, and Spirit of SDSU

By SAFIYA MOHAMED

San Diego State University: A History in Word and Image by Raymond Starr is the perfect gift for SDSU alumni who attended throughout the 1900s. Designed like a family photo album, this beautifully curated collection invites readers to rediscover cherished memories of their time at SDSU. Each page offers a unique perspective, reviving long-forgotten experiences and sparking reminiscences that can be shared across generations. While the campus archives preserve written history, these illustrations breathe life into the university’s story, evoking a sense of nostalgia for past students and faculty alike. 

San Diego State University: A History in Word and Image traces the university’s remarkable evolution from its humble beginnings as a small normal school in downtown San Diego to its current status as a major institution offering doctoral, professional, and research programs. The book highlights the formative years of Greek life, the rise of school spirit, and the development of campus traditions that continue to this day. It also reflects on the significant social movements that have shaped SDSU, including the fight for women’s rights and efforts to combat racial discrimination, showcasing the resilience and activism of both students and faculty throughout the decades. 

Beyond its academic prowess, SDSU has long been a cultural beacon in the region. The university's outreach programs connected with diverse segments of the population, from summer camps for children to educational initiatives for senior citizens. Through its vibrant arts, music, and drama programs, SDSU enriched the local cultural landscape while fostering community cohesion through intercollegiate athletics. 

This beautifully illustrated book captures the essence of SDSU’s history, celebrating the people and events that transformed it into the esteemed institution we know today. It’s an essential keepsake for any alumni who wants to revisit the milestones and memories that helped shape their university experience and the vibrant community that continues to thrive.

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ISBN 1-879691-30-2 | 1995
Trade paperback: 262 pages; illustrated | $27.95 plus shipping/handling
Also available in a Special limited hardback edition
ISBN 1-897691-39-6
$69.95 plus shipping/handling

Roll and Flow: Examining the Political and Cultural Impact of Skateboarding and Surfing in Social Justice Movements

Published by SDSU Press, the San Diego State University Surf and Skate Studies Collaborative presents Roll and Flow: The Cultural Politics of Skateboarding and Surfing. This groundbreaking collection delves into the multifaceted politics surrounding board sports, featuring a range of essays from cultural studies, sociology, anthropology, and history. The volume explores the widespread involvement of skateboarders and surfers in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and how these activities serve as a catalyst for reconsidering the cultural and political significance of board sports in contemporary society. 

This is the first academic work to bring together some of the leading scholars in the fields of skateboarding and surfing, including Iain Borden, Becky Beal, Aaron James, and Cori Schumacher. The collection provides critical insights into how board sports, often viewed as lifestyle activities, are in fact deeply entwined with broader political and social issues. 

Interview with Dr. Paul O'Connor

As Paul O'Connor, author of Skateboarding and Religion and senior Sociology lecturer at the University of Exeter, UK, notes: “Roll and Flow frames the remarkable transformations taking place in skateboarding and surfing cultures. It emerges as an essential collected work for those invested in two dominant lifestyle sports—activities that have reshaped popular culture with their attitude and style, and ascended to the realm of Olympic events. These essays reveal the new political and social contexts that these sports vocally address and redress, from rolling street BLM protests and communal paddle outs to discussions on post-humanism, polluted leisure culture, border commerce, tourism, the corporate beach, and concrete appropriation. What emerges is a tome with a critical and edifying scope, making it a must-read for scholars and fans alike.”

Rolling for Rights Recap, July 21 2020

In San Diego, a city with a rich history in both skateboarding and surfing, these sports have long been intertwined with activism. The Rolling for Rights rally in San Diego, for example, was a powerful statement against the stigma skateboarding has historically faced, particularly as a rebellious, countercultural activity. Skateboarders and surfers have long fought to reclaim their identities from negative stereotypes, and their participation in movements like BLM demonstrates the profound societal impact of these sports. The San Diego surfing community has also played a significant role in the Black Lives Matter movement. 

One prominent example was the paddle out on June 3, 2020, at Moonlight Beach, where over 1,000 surfers gathered to honor victims of police brutality like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Traditionally, paddle outs are organized to remember fallen surfers, but during the 2020 BLM protests, they took on a new significance. This gesture not only highlighted the importance of solidarity in surf culture but also showcased how surfers, particularly in coastal cities like San Diego, have used their platforms to call attention to systemic injustices. 

Paddle out at Moonlight Beach Honors George Floyd

In the context of San Diego’s vibrant surf and skate communities, the connection between these sports and activism is undeniable. For generations, skateboarders and surfers in the city have been at the forefront of both cultural and political movements. From fighting for equal access to public spaces to taking a stand against police brutality, these athletes demonstrate the power of board sports as a platform for social change. 

Beyond racism and police brutality, Roll and Flow explores topics such as climate change, the epidemic of overwork, the rise of authoritarianism, labor issues, class inequalities, misogyny and homophobia, the commodification of the surf industry, and the politics of gentrification in urban spaces. Through these diverse essays, the collection underscores how the cultural and political implications of board sports are far-reaching and complex. Traditionally, lifestyle sports like skateboarding and surfing have been dismissed as "frivolous" or devoid of significant social meaning. However, Roll and Flow sets out to dismantle these stereotypes. It highlights how skateboarders and surfers are not only engaging with issues of racial justice but also addressing other pressing political matters. The book asks critical questions, such as: How might the perspectives of surfers and skateboarders provide unique and progressive ways of intervening in a variety of political issues? 

Edited by Michael James Roberts, Kristin Lawler, and David P. Cline, Roll and Flow also aims to bring philosophical traditions into the study of surf and skate culture. By complementing the important empirical work done in the field in recent years, the volume seeks to advance the academic conversation around the role of board sports in contemporary society, particularly in how they intersect with social justice movements. 

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Publisher: San Diego State University Press
Launched: August 10, 2024
Paperback:  ‏394 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0916304876
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0916304874
Retail: 29.95 (discounted for course adoptions)

More on CULTURAL STUDIES IN THE DIGITAL AGE — Edited by Fede Aldama, Memo Nericcio, and Antonio Rafele

 

Beyond Borders: Sergio Gomez Montero's The Border of Postmodernity and the Fight to Reimagine Power, Identity, and Culture

In an age where borders seem both more defined and increasingly blurred, Sergio Gomez Montero’s The Border: The Future of Postmodernity invites readers to step into a world of profound intellectual exploration. This collection of essays isn’t just a critique of contemporary culture; it’s an invitation to delve deep into the heart of what shapes our modern world– identity, power, and the very boundaries that we often take for granted.

Montero’s work is an intellectual mosaic, weaving together diverse fields like cultural anthropology, linguistics, political economy, and cultural criticism. His exploration is not limited to theoretical musings but extends into the real-world implications of power dynamics, particularly focusing on the relationship between Mexico and the United States. With meticulous attention to detail, Montero presents a compelling argument about the tensions between regional and national identities, urging readers to reconsider the ways in which these forces influence our understanding of self and others.

The crux of Montero’s exploration revolves around the intersection of worldview, discourse, and literary practice. He challenges the notion of boundaries– both literal and metaphorical– by focusing not just on economic exploitation but on the subtler, more insidious forms of domination that underpin our global system. Montero’s work is not for the faint of heart; it demands that we question not only how we define cultural values but also who controls the narratives that define us.

“I want to go beyond the purely economic, that is, the field of exploitation, in order more adequately to enter upon the still obscure and slippery terrain of domination and power, where territorial limits are erased, from the moment in which sovereignty and nationalism are established as values in and of themselves of the dominant hegemonies.” - Sergio Gomez Montero

The Border is more than just an academic exploration– it’s a call to rethink the narratives we live by and to recognize that the borders we face are often more than just lines on a map. They are the very frameworks that shape our identities and our place in the world. If you’re ready to question the boundaries of power, culture, and self, Montero’s work is essential reading.

For those familiar with the intellectual rigor of thinkers like Roland Barthes or Edward Said, The Border will feel like a natural extension of that critical tradition. Montero’s nuanced, multifaceted approach to understanding power and identity provides readers with a fresh lens through which to view contemporary cultural and political struggles. Whether you are drawn to the complexities of postmodern thought or simply seeking a deeper understanding of the forces shaping our world, this book offers valuable insights that will resonate long after the final page is turned.

Sergio Gomez Montero is widely recognized as one of the most important thinkers in northern Mexico. His contributions to cultural criticism, public administration, and pedagogy span several decades of activity. Sergio Gomez Montero is Director of the National University of Education in Mexicali, where he resides. 

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Publisher: ‎San Diego State University Press; First Edition (January 1, 1994)

Language: English

Paperback: 174 pages

ISBN-10: 1879691256

ISBN-13: 978-1879691254