Irreversible Damage: The Katie Suarez Social Justice Series(1 Katie Suarez Social Justice)

In this first book of a series on contemporary social justice activism, Katie, the youngest daughter of two Mexican-American lawyers, has lived a sheltered upbringing in a wealthy Paradise Valley neighborhood of Phoenix. Life there never prepared her for the upheaval and tragedy that was to surround her and many of her loved ones. Katie learns that changes affecting her life were instigated by forces and people far removed from her, and whose greed for political and financial gain means more to them than the lives they sacrificed along the way. Motivated by these events and armed with the understanding that history shapes the present and will shape the future, Katie, surrounded by loyal friends, becomes a social activist whose ultimate achievement could changes the lives and the future of hundreds of thousands of people or leave her destitute or dead.

About the Author :
Born in Mexico City, JL attended university at UNAM, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities on the continent. JL relocated to the U.S. as a young man and experienced the unique challenges and opportunities of a Mexican immigrant. He observed similar experiences by other immigrants as well as witnessed the life and perspective of countless U.S.-born Mexican-Americans. With hard work and dedication, he became a highly respected dentist, researcher, and educator. Author of the textbook "Supra-gingival Minimally Invasive Dentistry" published by Wiley-Blackwell, he has also published many research papers and clinical articles on adhesive and esthetic dentistry. Ruiz regularly lectures at all major dental meetings, nationally and internationally. JL enjoys a clientele of many stars and entertainers and has made numerous television appearances for his dental expertise, including NBC Channel 4 News, ABC's News, Good Morning America & Vista La, VH1 and Channel 52's Telemundo and 34 Univision. A lover of history, psychology, and culture, his socially charged novels offer a fresh understanding of how historical events shape the present and the future. A big fan of music and the arts, JL is a past member of two rock bands.

Review :
"An empowering story of a young woman's fight for justice. JL Ruiz is a valuable addition to Hispanics living in the United States, thanks to his writing nobility as portrayed in this lengthy novel about a young Mexican American girl growing up in Phoenix in our times. The story comes down to an imaginary second term for President Trump when the main character, Katie Suarez, is in college. The author is motivated by his experience as an immigrant that faced two years of discrimination before he could get a position as professor in a local college. Ruiz is motivated to understand why Mexican Americans have faced disdain by others that have ingrained in them a feeling of low regard for themselves. That helps explain their low level of achievement, as compared with other immigrant groups, in his view. Various episodes portray the author's view of what Mexican Americans must do. A Jewish friend tells Katie how they have dealt with anti-Semitism over the ages. They have stuck together, learned about and value their culture, helped each other and placed emphasis on education. Katie understood. The book describes episodes of new activism such as a strike and demonstrations that land her in jail. Falling in love with a fellow demonstrator offers a happy ending." Ambassador Julian Nava, Hispanic Marketing 101