Cultural Diversity In Local Politics Essays -- essays research papers

Cultural Diversity in Local regimeOverviewThis paper explores the limits and potentials of social and racial coalitionbuilding in Los Angeles. The demographic changes that have occurred in LosAngeles during the past twenty years have been extraordinary, both in scope anddiversity.The orbital cavity has witnessed a literal boom in existence growth, increasing from 7million in 1970 to 8.8 million in 1990. (US Bureau of the Census) However, it isthe dramatic change in ethnic and racial diversity of the population which hascaught most observers attention.Los Angeles has taken on a new form in terms of its racial diversity, movingfrom a biracial to a multi-ethnic setting. The non-Hispanic White population hasdeclined from its 71 share share in 1970 to a narrow numerical plurality of 41percent of the countys population in 1990.Meanwhile, the Latino and Asian Pacific population witnessed a doubling -- from15% to 39% -- and near quadrupling from 3% to 11% of their population sharesres pectively. Meanwhile, African Americans, while slightly growing numeri chattery,were a constant share of the county population (11%) during this period. (Oliverand Johnson57-94) Thus, on the eve of the twenty-first century, Los Angeleshas one of the most ethnically several(a) populations of any metropolitan area inthe country.What does this ethnic diversity mean for multiethnic coalition building in thepolitics of Los Angeles County? Does the changing demography maturation theopportunity for ethnic cooperation? Or, has the ethnic changes increased ratherthan decreased the prospects of interethnic conflict?IntroductionAfter the 1992 riots, a clarion call was issued from all corners for theemerging multiethnic majority to take its rightful place in the politics andleadership of the city. A multiethnic coalition, it ws suggested, could lead thecity to a new multicultural future.This call was clearly make on the assumption that three divers groups AfricanAmericans, Asian Pacific Isl anders and Latinos could come together and pursuea coalition built on their common interests.But what do we do know about the prospects of multiethnic coalitions? There isvoluminous literature on urban politics. However, this literature has been influence principally by the question of racial politics. (Browning, Marshall andTabb) That is, how have traditional urban politics,... ... California Press, 1984).Carmichael, Stokely, and Charles V. Hamilton, Black Power (New York VintageBooks, 1967).Horton, John. "The Politics of Ethnic channel Grass Roots Responses to Economicand Demographic Restructuring in Monterey Park, California," Urban Geography106 (1989) 578-592.LASUI (Los Angeles Survey of Inequality) Focus Group Interviews, 1992.Oliver, Melvin L., and James H. Johnson, Jr., "Interethnic Conflict in an UrbanGhetto The Case of Blacks and Latinos in Los Angeles," Research in SocialMovements, Conflict, and Change 6 (1984) 57-94 US Bureau of the Census.. op.cit.Oliv er and Johnson, see above Also by Oliver and Johnson, "Interethnic minority Conflict in Urban America The Effects of Economic and SocialDislocations," Urban Geography 10 (1989) 449-463.Ramos, George and Tracy Wilkinson, "Unrest Widens Rifts in Latino Population,"Los Angeles Times, May 8, 1992.Sonenshein, Rafael J., Politics in Black and White Race and Power in LosAngeles (Princeton NJ Princeton University Press, 1993).US Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing. (Washington, DC USBureau of the Census, 1970).