What Side Are You On?: A Tohono O'odham Life across Borders

by Michael Steven Wilson, José Antonio Lucero

Renowned human rights activist Michael "Mike" Wilson has borne witness to the profound human costs of poverty, racism, border policing, and the legacies of colonialism. From a childhood in the mining town of Ajo, Arizona, Wilson's life journey led him to US military service in Central America, seminary education, and religious and human rights activism against the abuses of US immigration policies. With increased militarization of the US-Mexico border, migration across the Tohono O'odham Nation surged, as did migrant deaths and violent encounters between tribal citizens and US Border Patrol agents. When Wilson's religious and ethical commitments led him to set up water stations for migrants on the Nation's lands, it brought him into conflict not only with the US government but also with his own tribal and religious communities.

This richly textured and collaboratively written memoir brings Wilson's experiences to life. Joining Wilson as coauthor, Jose Antonio Lucero adds political and historical context to Wilson's personal narrative. Together they offer a highly original portrait of an O'odham life across borders that sheds light on the struggles and resilience of Native peoples across the Americas.

Genres: Indigenous, Memoir, Nonfiction

214 pages, Paperback

Published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Booknblues]

What Side Are You On?: A Tohono O'odham Life across Borders a collaboration by Michael Steven Wilson and Jose Antonio Lucero was not quite what I expected or wanted. It is part memoir and part academic paper tying the various parts of Wilson's life together.

For me it was an interesting life and I would have appreciated a full and uninterrupted version of it. While I may appreciate the historic and academic background, I found that the way it was done greatly detracted from my enjoyment.

Wilson is a Native American who served in the special forces of the military in El Salvador who later in life became a pastor and finally defied both church and tribe by leaving bottles of water for refugees to drink to prevent them from dying of thirst.

I would have appreciated if he delve into that part of his life in a bit more detail.

[Laurie Parsons Cantillo]

Thank you, Mike Wilson, for writing this book. It’s a fascinating read about Wilson’s journey from Ajo, Arizona to working in military special forces to delivering water to prevent migrant deaths in the desert—his version of “church” as a lay pastor in the Tohono O’odham nation. Mike’s journey is a winding road with the choices he makes guided by his moral compass rather than what’s normal” or expected.

[Ted Prezelski]

A great, first person account mixed with a great deal of context.

[Lisa]

Fascinating non-fiction that provides insight into the precarious location of the Tohono O’odham Nation near Tucson along the U.S.-Mexico border. As U.S. immigration policy has changed, migrants are pushed into Tohono O’odham lands, which historically cross far into Sonora, now intersected by national borders. This is the oral history of an amazing member of the Nation, Mike Wilson. He is a veteran (Special Forces), lay Presbyterian minister, and above all, humanitarian who puts ethics and morality above everything. The story shows how this passion for human rights evolved, starting from his childhood in Ajo and Tucson, through his adulthood in the military and church. This year he turns 77. I have had the absolute pleasure of meeting him several times, as we both volunteer at the same humanitarian organization in Tucson. The book is written as alternating chapters. Mike recounts his story in one chapter, which is followed by an academic essay providing details on the history and policies in the background of what Mike was experiencing. I found the alternating chapters approach to be very effective, as I saw and felt the heart of Mike telling his story, yet also saw the geopolitical complexity that surrounds him. I found this book very inspiring as well as educational.

[Kathi Sikora]

Only 150 pages but about 18 pages of footnotes. I really enjoyed the book and it's message, especially in our dark political times. I seldom read the footnotes, but these were very informative of American history. How long will our American story continue to repeat itself, or is it just ongoing with slightest bit of evolution?
I also encountered many places in the book where my life journey had conected.
Autobiography by Michael Stephen Wilson with heavier, "scholarly" chapters by university Professor Jose Antonio Lucero. Well done!

[Joley Hamilton]

One of my favorite reads of the year. Full of important stories and historical context

[Cailinn Chavez]

3.5

[Annie]

I would like all memoirs in this form going forward, please.

[John]

A healthy read for those interested in border, humanitarian, justice issues, and conflicts between church doctrine and morality.

[Gus]

This book was very helpful in revealing the dynamic nature of the borderlands. Putting a name and story to such an oversimplified controversy was refreshing.