What "How the West Was Juan" Can Teach Us About Connection, Culture, and Opportunity

By SAFIYA MOHAMED

How the West Was Juan

What if we’ve been looking at the U.S.-Mexico border all wrong? In How the West Was Juan: Reimagining the U.S.-Mexico Border, author and legal scholar Steven W. Bender offers a bold new perspective on one of the most contentious dividing lines in modern politics—not by digging into the usual debates, but by completely reframing the conversation. 

Bender introduces us to Alto Mexico—a sweeping region that includes present-day California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of several other U.S. states that were once part of Mexico. Rather than obsessing over fences and enforcement, Bender challenges us to consider the deep cultural, historical, and economic ties that still bind the U.S. and Mexico today. His message is clear: real progress lies not in separation, but in connection.

More than a history lesson, How the West Was Juan is a powerful meditation on identity, belonging, and shared legacy. Bender explores how Spanish language, Mexican heritage, and cross-border labor have shaped the American Southwest—not as something foreign, but as something foundational. This isn’t a book about “them.” It’s a story about us.

At a time when demographic shifts are transforming everything from politics to consumer behavior, How the West Was Juan offers a strategic lens for understanding what comes next. Bender makes a compelling case for viewing the Southwest as a zone of cultural convergence—where bilingual, bicultural realities are the norm, not the exception. It’s a must-read for anyone thinking about the future of community, immigration, or cultural storytelling in America.

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For readers interested in social justice, history, or inclusive policy, this book offers a refreshing alternative to the usual narratives of division. And for marketers, brand strategists, or cultural commentators, it’s a valuable guide to understanding the roots—and the future—of one of the most dynamic regions in the U.S.

How the West Was Juan doesn’t just reimagine a border. It invites us to reimagine the possibilities of connection, shared culture, and a more compassionate future.

“Regardless of who owns and governs the U.S. Southwest, we are inextricably bound with Mexico in history, culture, and economy. This text imagines a different border than the current configuration, but at bottom, our connected destiny suggests that we should worry less about locating, marking, and securing our national border with Mexico, and more about recognizing, celebrating, and strengthening our shared connections with Mexico and Mexicans.” — Steven W. Bender. 

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ISBN - 10: 1938537939

ISBN - 13: 978-1938537936