Manuel Pastor
Professor of American Studies & Ethnicity and Sociology, Director of the Program for Environmental and Regional Equity, and Director of the Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration, University of Southern California
Areas of Expertise:
Connect with Manuel
About Manuel
Pastor’s research has generally focused on issues of the economic, environmental and social conditions facing low-income urban communities – and the social movements seeking to change those realities. He speaks frequently on the changing demographics of the U.S. as well as on the ways in which inequality is corrosive to both our politics and our economy. His research projects are routinely in concert with community organizers seeking to reshape democracy from the ground up, with partner organizations that include Community Coalition, Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE), the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Los Angeles (CHIRLA), and the like. He served as a member of the Commission on Regions appointed by California’s Speaker of the State Assembly, and in January 2002 was awarded a Civic Entrepreneur of the Year award from the California Center for Regional Leadership. In 2012, the Liberty Hill Foundation awarded Pastor the Wally Marks Changemaker Award.
Contributions
How to Make Sure Immigration Reform Works for Everyone
Key Findings Brief,
In the News
"Why the Environmental Justice Movement Should Support the UAW Organizing Drive," Manuel Pastor, The Nation, March 11, 2024.
Manuel Pastor quoted on analyzing many of the social movements in which Bass has played key roles. by Harold Meyerson, "Karen Bass: The Movement Activist As Vice President. Can This Star Product of South L.A.'s Social Justice Ferment End Up As Joe Biden's Improbable Veep?" The American Prospect, August 5, 2020.
Manuel Pastor quoted on lead the CBC, you have to connect with urban and rural districts, not just with coastal cities but with the South and Midwest.” by Harold Meyerson, "Home/Politics" The American Prospect, August 5, 2020.
"Op-Ed: Liberals Skeptical of Joe Biden Should Look to the Example of Jerry Brown," Manuel Pastor (with ), Opinion, Los Angeles Times, July 21, 2020.
Manuel Pastor's research on rising rent prices in California discussed by , "Debt of a Salesman: Why the Cost of Living is Making Retirement a Mirage," Fast Company, December 3, 2018.
Manuel Pastor's research on racial equity discussed by , "Improved Racial Equity in St. Louis Region Could Boost Economy and Voter Turnout, Says Report," NPR, September 20, 2018.
"Who Will Win the War for the Soul of the Democratic Party? Ask California.," Manuel Pastor, The Washington Post, July 19, 2018.
Manuel Pastor quoted by Gene Haagenson, "State Assembly Committee Holds Hearing in Fresno on Early Childhood Education" ABC 30, July 11, 2018.
Manuel Pastor's research on California residents discussed by , "No, It's Not Correct That 39% of California Students are Undocumented," PolitiFact, July 5, 2018.
Manuel Pastor quoted by Brenda Gazzar and Brian Rokos, "California Starbucks Investigates after Slur Demeaning Mexicans is Printed on Customer’s Coffee Cups" The Mercury News, May 17, 2018.
Manuel Pastor's research on , "How California Turned into a ‘State of Resistance’," The New York Times, April 23, 2018.
"When the Next Generation Looks Racially Different from the Last, Political Tensions Rise," Manuel Pastor, The Converation, February 14, 2018.
Manuel Pastor quoted by Anabel Munoz, "Leading Voices in Immigration Convene for California Bold Conference" ABC 7 News, February 7, 2018.
Manuel Pastor quoted by Manuela Tobias, "Are 55 Percent of Immigrants in California on Welfare? That's an Exaggeration" Politifact, January 29, 2018.
Manuel Pastor quoted by Kim Brunhuber, "'We are in a War Here': Black and Latino Residents Fight Gentrification in LA" CBC News, November 4, 2017.
"After Tax Cuts Derailed the ‘California Dream,’ is the State Getting Back on Track?," Manuel Pastor, The Conversation, November 1, 2017.
"Latinos and the Future of American Politics," Manuel Pastor, The American Prospect, January 17, 2017.
Manuel Pastor quoted on environmental justice by Brentin Mock, "The Racial Justice Flaws in California's Climate Bill" CityLab, September 15, 2016.
"Embrace Equity to Win on Climate Goals," Manuel Pastor (with ), San Francisco Chronicle, September 10, 2016.
Manuel Pastor quoted on Latino naturalization and citizenship by Julia Preston, "More Latinos Seek Citizenship to Vote against Trump" New York Times, March 7, 2016.
Manuel Pastor quoted on city stewardship by Alana Semuels, "Budget Woes in One of America's Wealthiest Cities" The Atlantic, February 25, 2016.
Manuel Pastor quoted on investing in under-served neighborhoods by Leslie Berestein Rojas, "After Decades without a Movie Theater, Compton Could Get One" KPCC, February 10, 2016.
Manuel Pastor quoted on environmental equity by Aura Bogado, "Environmental Justice Scores a Win in California Carbon Policy" Grist, December 7, 2015.
"2016 and 2020 DAPA-Affected Voters and 2012 Margins of Victory, by State," Manuel Pastor (with ), Center for American Progress, November 19, 2015.
Manuel Pastor's research on equity, growth, and community discussed by , "More than Economics: New Book Explores How Equality Helps Economies Grow," UCSC Newscenter, October 15, 2015.
Manuel Pastor quoted on the lack of investment in Compton by Iyana Robertson, "Here’s Why ‘Straight Outta Compton’ is Not Playing in Compton" Vibe, August 18, 2015.
Manuel Pastor quoted on the 2015 USC State of the Neighborhood Report by Eddie North-Hager, "State of the Neighborhood Report Offers Proposals for Surrounding Communities" USC News, April 21, 2015.
"Blocking Immigration Action Will Exact a Political Price," Manuel Pastor, Sacramento Bee, March 18, 2015.
"Twelve Ways to Reverse Inequality and Close the "California Chasm"," Manuel Pastor (with ), Capital & Main, February 26, 2015.
Manuel Pastor's research on the implications that the lack of resources have on the lives of unauthorized immigrants discussed by , "SDSU Researcher Finds Unauthorized Immigrants Lack Resources," Daily Aztec, February 25, 2015.
Manuel Pastor's research on demographic shifts discussed by , "Grand Rapids Will be 25 Percent Latino by 2040, Predicts USC Demographer," Michigan Live, September 29, 2014.
Guest to discuss undocumented immigrants in California on KPPC’s Take Two, Manuel Pastor, May 8, 2013.
"California Needs an Integrated Plan on Immigration (See Utah)," Manuel Pastor (with ), Sacramento Bee, March 27, 2011.
"Latino Report Card Offers Road Map to Greater Success," Manuel Pastor (with ), San Jose Mercury News, March 20, 2011.
"Promesas que Empeoran," Manuel Pastor, (Promises that Impoverish), La Opinion, October 2, 2010.
"Immigrants’ Future is California’s Future," Manuel Pastor (with ), San Francisco Chronicle, July 2, 2010.
Publications
Unsettled Americans (edited with ) (Cornell University Press, 2016).
Draws on case studies from old and new immigrant destinations to explore the dynamics of these interactions, drawing lessons about the conditions that contribute either to greater conflict and polarization or to cooperative inclusion of new groups.
"Just Growth: Prosperity and Inclusion in America’s Metropolitan Regions" (with ) (Routledge Press, 2012).
Demonstrates that equity and growth can go together – and explores the how and why, including the creation of diverse “knowledge communities” that share facts and frames about the regional future.
"Uncommon Common Ground: Race and America’s Future" (with ) (W.W. Norton, 2010).
Takes a complex look at race in the wake of the Obama election, arguing that persistent differentials need to be challenged more forthrightly in order to secure a stronger America.
"This Could be the Start of Something Big: How Social Movements for Regional Equity are Reshaping Metropolitan America" (with ) (Cornell University Press, 2009).
Looks at social movement organizing across the metropolitan regions of the U.S. and argues for a new approach to both policy and politics.