Transcending Borders through the Sacred

This project is currently being conducted. The focus of this research project is to capture and document expressions and manifestations of "undocumented religions" of Mexican nationals in New York City and San Diego. The questions that inform this project are the following: 1) Is there such a thing as an "undocumented religion"? 2) Is there such a thing as an "undocumented theology"? 3) Can we identify unique devotional practices amongst undocumented communities? 4) Do such devotional practices contribute to their own understanding of their "rights" and dimensions of social justice? 5) Do these devotional practices contribute to the formation and creation of community?

 Within this context we acknowledge that people's relation to the sacred is one where they are in a continual engagement and quest to manipulate and negotiate their world through acts of crossing restricted borders, engaging in the creation of "unscripted" expressions, performances and journeys where people continually cross forbidden spaces in order to locate and secure those things that are real and meaningful in their lives.  It is possible that these individuals are engaged in creating new sacred expressions and/or redefining or adapting old traditions into a new setting.

Accordingly, critical questions we wish to explore within this framework are: What happens when things don't work for the immigrant?  What happens with the religious framework and institutional manifestations when these “support systems" fail, or when the border transgression is unsuccessful? How does the immigrant deal with this reality and what is the role of the sacred at both personal and collective levels? With the added pressures of "making it" and wishing to reinforce the "successful immigrant story": What happens when this dream does not come to pass?  Can and does the sacred play a role in the process?

Research Plan

A site visit of numerous sacred sites and activities has already taken place in NYC.  Stage Two of the project will be to visit sites (e.g., immigrant camps, etc) and churches that minister to the undocumented. 

We will be able to begin to see the comparisons and contrasts between our two chosen communities in relation to our research focus. We will also follow a framework of collecting personal narratives and stories of individuals as a method to get at our research objectives. We will gather the personal narratives of NY residents and SD residents and utilize those narratives to examine the "religious collective" of immigrants.

Participating as co-investigators:

Dr. Alberto Pulido (University of San Diego)
Dr. Alyshia Gálvez (New York University).

Consultants:

Dr. Gail Perez (University of San Diego)
Dr. Olivia Ruiz (Colegio de la Frontera Norte).

This research project will result in the publication of a book (published in the Center’s series), as well as in scholarly and community presentations. The project is fully funded by the Center.

March 28 2008 16:47:05