Defectors, by Paola Ramos, is a genuinely insightful and timely read — not just as political reporting, but as a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be Latino in today’s polarized climate. Paola Ramos brings together strong journalism, empathy, and on-the-ground storytelling to examine a complicated and often misunderstood shift: the growing presence of Latinos within far-right movements in the United States.
What makes the book especially compelling — particularly for me as a Latino — is how Ramos avoids stereotypes and instead presents the community in its full complexity. She introduces readers to a wide range of people: Latino conservatives, religious leaders, activists, first-generation families searching for belonging, and even those pulled toward extremist rhetoric. Through these voices, she shows how identity, tradition, disillusionment, and hope come together in unexpected ways.
Ramos doesn’t sensationalize, and she doesn’t simplify. Instead, she digs into the why — why some Latinos feel culturally aligned with conservative values, why others feel politically displaced, and how fear, aspiration, and community shape these choices. The result is a narrative that feels thoughtful, honest, and grounded.
As someone who’s seen firsthand how Latino identity gets flattened or politicized, I appreciated how Defectors encourages nuance. It acknowledges hard truths while still treating people with dignity, making room for difficult conversations without casting judgment.
Overall, Defectors is a meaningful, relevant, and engaging book — one that helped me better understand not just a political shift, but the diverse experiences within our own community.