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Law And The Borders Of Belonging In The United States By Barbara Welke

1326 Words6 Pages

Author Barbara Welke, professor of history and law at the University of Minnesota in her book, Law and the Borders of Belonging in the Long Nineteenth Century United States, has compiled a well thought-out and comprehensive book towards the discussion of law and the construction of borders within the United States. Welke sheds light on issues concerning discrimination of women, racialized others, and disabled people within the terms of how the legal borders of belonging have constructed that discrimination. The author also focuses on the ideal individual during the long nineteenth century, as the dominant ideology of a person was to be male, white, and able. Within this context, Welke presents various legal cases and practices to create a foundation …show more content…

These ideals, according to the author, shape the foundation for the borders of belonging. The author defines personhood as, “legal recognition and protection of self-ownership, that is, of a right to one’s person, one’s body, and one’s labor” (Welke, 3). Essentially, the author works to convey the essence of individuality under the law, including the accessibility that certain groups have to legal recognition and self-protection. Therefore, the author, through introducing her analysis of personhood, reveals how personhood and citizenship are interdependent. Welke then introduces her understanding of citizenship as she …show more content…

The author provides numerous examples of real situations, people have been in to try and gain their right to be identified as a person under the law. Welke makes the significant point to summarize her argument in that, “every act of nonconformity was not an act of resistance; the power of those rendered subject in law to effect real change was limited” (Welke, 98). Essentially, the author dedicated the last portion of her book to apply her prior statements in real conflicts that the bordered other has to endure. This portion was especially significant as Welke was able to tangibly show how her argument plays out in the political climate of our

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