This book investigates how the national ideology of mestizaje—the belief in a unified, mixed-race identity—shapes the lived experiences and social hierarchies of contemporary Mexicans. Christina A. Sue, a sociologist specializing in race and ethnicity, utilizes extensive ethnographic fieldwork conducted in urban Mexico to challenge the notion that Mexico is a post-racial society. She argues that despite official rhetoric of racial harmony, colorism and racial categorization remain fundamental to how individuals navigate social status, interpersonal relationships, and self-perception.

Scholars in the field of Latin American studies recognize this work as a significant contribution to the understanding of racial dynamics outside the United States binary. Readers frequently note the academic rigor of the research and the clarity with which the author dissects complex social structures.