Bridges of Reform : Interracial Civil Rights Activism in Twentieth-Century Los Angeles

In her first book, Shana Bernstein reinterprets U.S. civil rights activism by looking at its roots in the interracial efforts of Mexican, African, Jewish, and Japanese Americans in mid-century Los Angeles. Expanding the frame of historical analysis beyond black/white and North/South, Bernstein reveals that meaningful domestic activism for racial equality persisted from the 1930s through the 1950s. She stresses how this coalition-building was facilitated by the cold war climate, as activists sought protection and legitimacy in this conservative era. Emphasizing the significant connections between ethno-racial communities and between the United States and world opinion, Bridges of Reform demonstrates the long-term role western cities like Los Angeles played in shaping American race relations. Contents 8 Abbreviations 9 Acknowledgments 10 Illustrations and Maps 14 Introduction 18 Chapter 1 Los Angeles, the Early Years 31 Chapter 2 Shadows of War, Forces for Change 43 Chapter 3 The War Comes Home 75 Chapter 4 Cold Warriors of a Different Stripe 115 Chapter 5 The Community Service Organization and Interracial Civil Rights Activism in the Cold War Era 153 Chapter 6 Los Angeles to the Nation 200 Conclusion: A Lasting Legacy 216 Notes 224 Bibliography 306 Index 336 A 336 B 337 C 338 D 341 E 341 F 342 G 342 H 343 I 344 J 344 K 345 L 345 M 347 N 349 O 350 P 350 Q 350 R 351 S 351 T 352 U 352 V 353 W 353 Y 354 Z 354 Los Angeles, the early days Shadows of war, forces for change The war comes home Cold warriors of a different stripe The community service organization and interracial civil rights activism in the Cold War era Los Angeles to the nation. Bridges of Reform reinterprets U.S. civil rights activism that emerged from interracial efforts among Mexican, African, Jewish, and Japanese Americans in multiracial Los Angeles during World War II and the Cold War era.