Through the storied figures of Jesus Malverde, Juan Soldado, Toribio Romo and La Santa Muerte, William Calvo-Quir'os tracks popular religiosity as a force in the Mexican migrant experience. The message on vernacular saints is clear : don't leave home without them. A rich and often riveting account that belongs in any conversation on transborder mexicanidad.
William A. Calvo-Quir'os is Assistant Professor of American Culture and Latinx Studies at the University of Michigan. His current research investigates the relationship between state violence, imagination, religiosity, and spirituality along the U.S. - Mexico border region during the twentieth century. His work studies the evolution and the politics of surveillance and control around Latino religiosity.