ABSTRACT
This chapter examines selected literature on, and theoretical applications of, multi/bi-racial coalition building and race relations that have relevance to what has occurred in Los Angeles' history. It assesses a number of multi/biracial coalitions, most created before the events of Spring '92, that have attempted to overcome tensions and conflicts among communities of color and/or promote common front strategies to secure policy and other political gains. The chapter argues that successful coalition formations must meet certain criteria. Mervyn M. Dymally represented a small number of highly visible African-American and Latino leaders in the late 1960s and early-to-mid 1970s pushing for bi-racial coalition-building among African and Latino Americans. Raphael J. Sonenshein has applied the Rufus Browning, model of political incorporation to Los Angeles through the much heralded Jewish—African American electoral coalition. Citing the Browning, model of coalition-building leading to political incorporation, Richard D. Shingles contends that Black-Latino battles over political representation bring damage to both communities.
