Preview
  • Defectors

  • The Rise of the Latino Far Right and What It Means for America
  • By: Paola Ramos
  • Narrated by: Victoria Villarreal
  • Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (38 ratings)

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Defectors

By: Paola Ramos
Narrated by: Victoria Villarreal
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Publisher's summary

An award-winning journalist's exploration of how race, identity and political trauma have influenced the rise in far-right sentiment among Latinos, and how this group can shape American politics

“A deeply reported, surprisingly personal exploration of a phenomenon that is little understood in our politics: the affiliation of Latino voters with causes and candidates that would seem, at first glance, unwelcoming to them
."—Rachel Maddow

Democrats have historically assumed they can rely on the Latino vote, but recent elections have called that loyalty into question. In fact, despite his vociferous anti-immigrant rhetoric and disastrous border policies, Trump won a higher percentage of the Latino vote in 2020 than he did in 2016. Now, journalist Paola Ramos pulls back the curtain on these voters, traveling around the country to uncover what motivates them to vote for and support issues that seem so at odds with their self-interest.

From coast to coast, cities to rural towns, Defectors introduces listeners to underdog GOP candidates, January 6th insurrectionists, Evangelical pastors and culture war crusaders, aiming to identify the influences at the heart of this rightward shift. Through their stories, Ramos shows how tribalism, traditionalism, and political trauma within the Latino community has been weaponized to radicalize and convert voters who, like many of their white counterparts, are fearful of losing their place in American society.

We meet Monica de la Cruz, a Republican congresswoman from the Rio Grande Valley who won on a platform centered on finishing “what Donald Trump started” and pushing the Great Replacement Theory; David Ortiz, a Mexican man who refers to himself as a Spaniard and opposed the removal of a statue of a Spanish conquistador in New Mexico; Luis Cabrera, an evangelical pastor pushing to “Make America Godly Again;” Anthony Aguero, an independent journalist turned border vigilante; and countless other individuals and communities that make up the rising conservative Latino population. Cross-cultural and assiduously reported, Defectors highlights how one of America's most powerful and misunderstood electorates may come to define the future of American politics.

©2024 Paola Ramos (P)2024 Random House Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
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Critic reviews

"Defectors is a deeply reported, surprisingly personal exploration of a phenomenon that is little understood in our politics: The affiliation of Latino voters with causes and candidates that would seem, at first glance, unwelcoming to them. Paola takes us into the lives of Latinos who support presidential candidates with plans for mass deportations or lead efforts to ban books and stop diversity initiatives. She introduces us to Latinos who patrol the border as vigilantes and Latinos who marched on the Capitol on January 6th. From Miami and the Bronx to Arizona, New Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley, Paola shows us why the Latino vote is not just increasingly powerful, but increasingly in flux. It turns out the answers are there if you ask the right questions, and that is exactly what Paola does in this terrific book."—Rachel Maddow, Emmy award-winning host of The Rachel Maddow Show and New York Times bestselling author of Prequel

"It's hard to fathom how any vulnerable group, be they Latinos, Black, or even white women, can consistently vote for conservative candidates who are hostile to their interests, and their humanity. In Defectors, Paola Ramos seeks to understand ultra conservative Latinos, and instead of lecturing them, explains how they've come to support violent authoritarianism.”—Elie Mystal, New York Times bestselling author of Allow Me to Retort

"With both humanizing compassion and sharp urgency, Defectors highlights the voices and ideologies behind our current political moment. Paola deftly shows how historical trauma and cultural values have caused a rightward shift among an increasingly politically active population and reveals why America's Latino voices will matter in this election more than ever, and in every election to come."—Ana Navarro, Emmy award-winning cohost of "The View"

What listeners say about Defectors

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Hearing

When we listen to those around us, we can hear the stories from long ago our ancestors want us to hear.

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Understating Latinos.

Eye opening. Different points of view. It’s a must read. Understand the big minority in the USA

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Relatable

This is a MUST read! I enjoyed it from beginning to end! Paola’s writing was perfect. She shares interviews, history, statistics and personal experiences 🙌🏽

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Latinos in Current American Right Wing Politics

An interesting, well-written and well-researched story of events, histories, and self-perceptions that drive many Latinos in the USA to the far right, and sometimes, to white supremacist and anti-LGBTQ views and political action. There are many compelling individual stories of Latinos with diverse backgrounds and histories. American Latinos in politics have often been painted with a monochromatic brush. This book presents a wider spectrum perspective.

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Deeply Researched and Nuanced

One of the most revelatory and insightful books about Latinidad in the US. I think Paola Ramos has given us a valuable text which should required reading for Latines in this country.

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Great Research

The author exposed her findings through several years of interactions with the Latino community across a wide variety of backgrounds. Opened my eyes to a new perspective to further understand why Latinos hold and support their political beliefs the way they do. Thank you!

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Regretting what I taught my kids

I wish I would’ve had Paola’s book when I was raising my kids in the 80s. I arrived to the USA from Guatemala in the 70s and married a white man. I had no idea of the black and white civil rights movement. It terrified me that my kids would be seen as “Mexican”. So I taught them only how to love their dad’s white side. Claiming their white privilege only. Some learned Spanish on their own and some didn’t. Fast forward 40 years, all my kids are pro Trump and would fight to death for him. Paola’s book is for everyone, white, brown, black. I will recommend her book to everyone. Thank you for your amazing research and work.

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Important and timely

I live in the southwest and I think the Latinx community really is viewed as a monolith. This book is well researched and so informative, it increased my understanding of the identities around me.

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I’m happy we are talking about this

As a Cuba born American citizen, I am dismayed at so many of my people who embrace the same type of corruption, nepotism, autocracy, gaslighting and repression that we escaped. This book was a great start to begin to understand this.

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The resemblance of how my life was.

I really enjoyed reading Miss Ramos story. It was eye opening in facts that some of us Latino Americans believe or are unaware that we have and don't have. I am an older American Mexican man 3rd generation U. S. Born but have traveled parts of our country and Mexico and find , how I'm not fully excepted on either side. Sad fact, we need more empathy in our lives. Thank I will continue to read your Latin X book.

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