ABSTRACT
This chapter delves more deeply into the intricacies of sociopolitical topics concerning racial and ethnic minority groups by working to broaden the traditionally accepted, unidimensional approach to the examination of identity politics. It focuses on the concept of intersectional identity, the idea that salient identity dimensions–race, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, sexuality, class, and religion–are inextricably linked. Sexuality and gender fluidity remains a subject of great debate within the United States and continues to be a source of marginalization and hierarchy. The chapter suggests that elites needing to establish their own superior socioeconomic status worked to create and solidify the race-based hierarchy that has shaped practically every aspect of American politics throughout the nation's history. One's experience with the US immigration system varies based on race, ethnicity, nationality, class, gender, age, and so forth. Americans implicitly and automatically associate Latinos with immigration, thus decreasing the degree to which immigration is viewed in a positive manner.
