The Dynamics of Biracial Coalitions: Crossover Politics in Los Angeles

Abstract

T X 1 HE relationship between blacks and white liberals, once widely admired, has been a source of bitter division since the conclusion of the civil rights movement and the rise of a more independent and assertive black politics. In their book Black Power (1967) Carmichael and Hamilton argued that blacks could not depend on white allies, no matter how liberal. Since politics results from a conflict of interests, not of consciences (p. 75), white liberals were not very different from other whites, and would desert the black cause if their own interests were threatened. Henry indicated that blackHispanic alliances would be more successful than black-liberal coalitions (1980), while Davidson (1972) and Hahn and Almy (1971) promoted a class alliance between blacks and white workers.