Mobile Selves: Race, Migration, and Belonging in Peru and the U.S. by Ulla D. Berg – Understanding Transnational Migrant

Introduction

In an age where borders are both physical and digital, the question of how migrants maintain a sense of self across continents has never been more relevant. Mobile Selves: Race, Migration, and Belonging in Peru and the U.S. by Ulla D. Berg offers a deeply researched and compassionate exploration of how Peruvian migrants navigate the complex terrain of identity, race, and belonging between the rural highlands of Peru and the urban landscapes of the United States. This hardcover volume from New York University Press is essential reading for students of anthropology, migration studies, and media, as well as anyone curious about the human stories behind global movement.

Book Overview

Drawing on years of ethnographic fieldwork, Ulla D. Berg examines the lives of Peruvians from rural and working-class backgrounds who leave the central highlands for the United States. The book reveals how these migrants craft new portrayals of themselves to overcome the class and racial biases they faced at home, while also controlling the images they share with those left behind. From carefully edited videos that omit hardships to curated social media posts that project success, Mobile Selves shows how technology becomes a tool for both connection and performance. Berg argues that these mediated forms of self-representation are not just about staying in touch—they are central to how migrants build new subjectivities and forms of belonging across borders.

Key Highlights

• Original ethnographic research conducted over several years in the Peruvian Andes and U.S. migrant communities.
• Focus on media practices such as video letters, phone calls, and social media, showing how technology shapes migrant identities.
• Intersectional analysis of race, class, and gender in the context of transnational migration.
• Comparative perspective on how migrants negotiate belonging in both home and host societies.
• Critical engagement with anthropological debates on affect, subjectivity, and sociality.

Inside the Book

The book is organized into chapters that move from the Peruvian highlands to U.S. cities, tracing the journey of migrants and their media. Berg describes how migrants create sanitized videos for family back home, avoiding scenes of struggle to prevent worry. She also examines how these same videos are used to assert a new, more empowered identity in the face of Peruvian racial hierarchies. The narrative is rich with personal stories: a mother watching her son’s video from New Jersey, a young woman using Facebook to maintain a romantic relationship across borders, and a community in the Andes gathering to watch a DVD sent from abroad. Each story underscores the emotional labor and creative strategies involved in staying connected.

Key Topics

• Transnational migration and identity formation
• Race and class in Peru and the U.S.
• Media anthropology and digital ethnography
• Affect, emotion, and belonging in migrant communities
• Gender dynamics in cross-border communication
• Visual culture and self-representation

Reader Benefits

This book offers Indian readers a valuable comparative lens for understanding migration patterns that resonate with our own context—whether it is the experience of Gulf migrants, students abroad, or internal migrants within India. By focusing on the role of media and technology, Mobile Selves provides tools to analyze how digital platforms shape our own relationships and identities. The writing is accessible yet rigorous, making complex theoretical ideas clear without oversimplifying. Readers will gain a deeper appreciation for the emotional and social costs of migration, as well as the resilience of those who undertake it.

Learning Outcomes

After reading this book, you will be able to: understand the concept of mediated migration and its impact on selfhood; analyze how race and class intersect in transnational contexts; evaluate the role of technology in maintaining long-distance relationships; apply ethnographic methods to study migrant communities; and critically reflect on the politics of representation in visual media. These outcomes are valuable for students of sociology, anthropology, media studies, and South Asian studies, as well as for professionals working in migration policy or community development.

Who Should Read

• Students and researchers in anthropology, sociology, and migration studies
• Media scholars interested in digital culture and transnational communication
• Indian readers curious about comparative migration experiences
• Policy makers and NGO professionals working with migrant populations
• General readers who enjoy narrative-driven academic work

About the Author

Ulla D. Berg is Associate Professor of Anthropology and Latino and Caribbean Studies at Rutgers University. Her research focuses on migration, media, and race in the Americas. She has published extensively on transnationalism, visual culture, and the politics of belonging. Mobile Selves is the culmination of over a decade of fieldwork and reflects her commitment to understanding how ordinary people use media to navigate extraordinary circumstances.

About the Publisher

New York University Press (NYU Press) is a leading academic publisher known for its rigorous scholarship in the social sciences and humanities. With a focus on books that engage with pressing social issues, NYU Press has built a reputation for publishing works that are both intellectually stimulating and accessible to a broad readership. This hardcover edition is produced to the highest quality standards, making it a lasting addition to any library.

Conclusion

Mobile Selves: Race, Migration, and Belonging in Peru and the U.S. is more than an academic study—it is a window into the lived realities of people who straddle two worlds. By examining how migrants use technology to craft and control their identities, Ulla D. Berg offers insights that are timely for our globally connected yet deeply divided world. Whether you are a student, a scholar, or simply a curious reader, this book will change how you think about migration, media, and the meaning of home. Order your copy today from Bookshops.in and embark on a journey that is as intellectually rewarding as it is emotionally resonant.