Nightmares Available to Purchase

Delving into the troubling story of Charles Wetli, this chapter examines the history of the medical examiner who coined the term excited delirium syndrome. It uncovers Wetli's early career and involvement as a law enforcement “expert” on Afro-Caribbean “cults.” Through meticulous historical and ethnographic research, this chapter uncovers the role Wetli and his associates played in the criminalizing of Afro-Caribbean religions, specifically Afro-Cuban Santeria and Palo Monte. The story begins with the Mariel boatlift, a significant event that unfolded in 1980, when Fidel Castro allowed thousands of Cuban citizens to migrate to the United States. The mass exodus of Cubans had a profound impact on immigration policies and ultimately resulted in the criminalization and long-term incarceration of immigrants from the Caribbean. This chapter reveals how, for Black and Brown immigrants, the promise of an American dream was met with the reality of an American nightmare.