Manu Karuka

About the Author

Manu Karuka is a scholar and writer whose work illuminates the intersections of empire, labor, and Indigenous sovereignty in American history. Drawing from his expertise in ethnic studies and critical theory, Karuka examines how infrastructural projects like the transcontinental railroad shaped landscapes of power and resistance. His research highlights the overlooked contributions and struggles of Chinese workers and Indigenous nations, challenging dominant narratives of progress and expansion. As an associate professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, Karuka's interdisciplinary approach bridges academic rigor with activist insights, fostering a deeper understanding of colonial legacies in the modern world. Through his writing, he advocates for decolonial perspectives that center marginalized voices in the story of the American West.