Associate Professor publishes book on Indigenous dispossession in US history

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — OCTOBER 3, 2024) Leah Perry, an assistant professor of literature, communication, and cultural studies in the School of Arts and Humanities, published a new book with Ohio State University Press titled “Indigenous Dispossession, Anti-Immigration, and the Public Pedagogy of US Empire.”

The book explores ways in which the United States created its empire through policy and media discourses surrounding indigenous dispossession, gendered state violence, and radicalized immigration. Perry argues the US has changed the discourse around gender, race, immigration, and indigeneity to continue its imperial project throughout history, but always predicated on indigenous dispossession.

Perry explores several issues, including welfare, eugenics, disability, sexual violence, foodways, queerness, and policing to investigate violence against Indigenous peoples and immigrants. Perry said her book fills an existing gap in immigration studies, indigenous studies, race and ethnic studies, gender and sexuality studies, and US history.

“In illuminating pedagogies of empire historically and into the neoliberal context, I hope to help unsettle the white possessive curriculum of coloniality and anti-immigration and inspire others to do the same,” Perry said.

Perry said the book expands her research and academic career on social justice.

“In order to enact social justice, it is necessary to understand the history and present of the violence underpinning the United States,” Perry said. “This book was written after years and years of archival research, and foregrounding Indigenous scholars’ and activists’ research, actions, and insights given that I am not Native.”