Dilly Dalley’s Reviews > Bad Mexicans: Race, Empire, and Revolution in the Borderlands > Status Update
Dilly Dalley
is on page 98 of 384
The Laredo Times interviews Arriaga, one of the rebels, and this brings their presence in the USA to the attention of Diaz’s government. Lomeli, the Mexican consul in Texas wires Diaz in Mexico ‘Send the Secret Police’. There is a long history of Mexican resistance organised from the USA (Juarez fought the Conservatives, Diaz plotted coups, the Yaqui fought Diaz, and many others). Diaz was right to be concerned.
— Jul 02, 2026 03:22PM
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Dilly’s Previous Updates
Dilly Dalley
is on page 89 of 384
The Magon brothers settle in America’s Brown Belt - Laredo - where Mexicans and Mexican Americans comprised (and still comprise) the majority population. When they arrive in 1904, they find a place ready for justice for Mexicans. After years of persecution (lynchings, economic inequality - lower wages for Mexicans, Juan Crow, “no Mexicans allowed”), they are ready for revolutionary ideas.
— Jul 01, 2026 06:15PM
Dilly Dalley
is on page 77 of 384
After 2 more attempts at dissenting newspaper production, the presses were seized & the brothers jailed twice in 1903, they decide that it is too dangerous in Mexico. Protest against Diaz is on the rise, but the army is shooting & killing protestors. Congress passes laws outlawing dissent. The Magon’s & Arriaga, Mendoza, Sarabia & Acuna travel north to Texas to regroup and plan to bring down the Diaz regime.
— Jun 30, 2026 05:02PM
Dilly Dalley
is on page 68 of 384
The Magon brother’s newspaper becomes increasingly critical and attacking of the dictatorship. They are both arrested, and jailed for two years. Their printing press is seized by the state. The other members of the Liberal resistance - Arriaga and his Marxist conference are also eventually arrested and jailed for one year. While in jail the men communicate and for some, their resolve is strengthened.
— Jun 29, 2026 06:55PM
Dilly Dalley
is on page 59 of 384
Ricardo Magon has been radicalised through part personal greivances towards Diaz because his family has been destroyed by Diaz's actions, and part exposure to the group of radicals reading Marxist and Anarchist texts. Magon is most influenced by Russian anarcho-communist Peter Kropotkin - total abolishment of private property, church and state. Magon's fellow agitators against Diaz want reform not revolution.
— Jun 28, 2026 01:26PM
Dilly Dalley
is on page 41 of 384
The book starts in 1910 with the spark (lynching of a Mexican in Texas) that will result in the Mexican Revolution (1910-1917). Then in the first two chapters the narrative reverses in time to provide the historical context of that event. Diaz is in power in Mexico and has ruled with an iron fist for 27 years - Mexico has achieved some measure of stability and prosperity but at the cost of US imperialism.
— Jun 27, 2026 05:41PM