The Presumed Alliance : The Unspoken Conflict Between Latinos and Blacks and What It Means for America

As Latino and African Americans increasingly live side by side in large urban centers, as well as in suburban clusters, the idealized concept of a ''Rainbow Coalition'' would suggest that these two disenfranchised groups are natural political allies. Indeed, as the number of Latinos has increased dramatically over the last ten years, competition over power and resources between these two groups has led to surprisingly antagonistic and uncooperative interactions. Many African Americans now view Latinos, because of their growth in numbers, as a threat to their social, economic, and political gains. Vaca debunks the myth of ''The Great Union'' and offers the hope he believes each community could learn from, in order to achieve a mutually agreed upon agenda. More than simply unveiling the problem, __The Presumed Alliance__ offers optimistic solutions to the future relations between Latino and Black America.

as Latino And African Americans Increasingly Live Side By Side In Large Urban Centers, As Well As In Suburban Clusters, The Idealized Concept Of A Rainbow Coalition Would Suggest That These Two Disenfranchised Groups Are Natural Political Allies. Indeed, As The Number Of Latinos Has Increased Dramatically Over The Last Ten Years, Competition Over Power And Resources Between These Two Groups Has Led To Surprisingly Antagonistic And Uncooperative Interactions. Many African Americans Now View Latinos, Because Of Their Growth In Numbers, As A Threat To Their Social, Economic, And Political Gains.

vaca Debunks The Myth Of The Great Union And Offers The Hope He Believes Each Community Could Learn From, In Order To Achieve A Mutually Agreed Upon Agenda. More Than Simply Unveiling The Problem, the Presumed Alliance Offers Optimistic Solutions To The Future Relations Between Latino And Black America.

library Journal

january 2003 May Have Passed Quietly For Many, But It Marked An Inevitable Change In American Demographics-hispanics Surpassed African Americans As The Nation's Largest Minority. In A Riveting Narrative, Vaca, An Attorney With A Ph.d. In Sociology, Explores What Has Often Been Presumed: A Black And Hispanic Political Alliance. Yet He Argues That An Alliance Is Not Feasible, As The Two Ethnic Groups Compete For Jobs, Political Clout, And Educational Opportunities. Vaca Jumps Into This Fray Without Trepidation, Though He Is Aware Of The Criticism He Brings Upon Himself. His Focal Point Is What He Terms The Hispanic Tsunami, A Powerful Pattern Of Growth In The American Hispanic Population. As Examples, Vaca Cites Political Conflict In New York, Houston, Compton (ca), And Miami. There Is An Excellent Chapter On A 1946 California Court Case Involving Hispanics' Access To Education, Challenging The Position That Brown V. Board Of Education (1954) Was The Pivotal Event In The Civil Rights Movement. Vaca's Well-researched Book Is Essential Reading For Anyone Desiring An Understanding Of The Future Of Ethnographic Conflict In The United States. Recommended For All Academic And Public Libraries.-boyd Childress, Auburn Univ. Lib., Al Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

A hard and unnerving look at how changing demographics will forever alter our countrys dialogue on race. San Jose Mercury News As Latino and African Americans increasingly live side by side in large urban centers, as well as in suburban clusters, the idealized concept of a "Rainbow Coalition" would suggest that these two disenfranchised groups are natural political allies. Indeed, as the number of Latinos has increased dramatically over the last ten years, competition over power and resources between these two groups has led to surprisingly antagonistic and uncooperative interactions. Many African Americans now view Latinos, because of their growth in numbers, as a threat to their social, economic, and political gains. Nicolas C. Vaca debunks the myth of "The Great Union" and offers the hope he believes each community could learn from, in order to achieve a mutually agreed upon agenda. More than simply unveiling the problem, The Presumed Alliance offers optimistic solutions to the future relations between Latino and Black America. Examines the historical context as well as the contemporary manifestations of the conflicts between Latinos and African Americans, using case studies to illustrate just how contentious the two groups have been toward each other, and what issues are at the root of such discord. Discusses language barriers, competition over affirmative action, and the overlooked contributions of Hispanics during the American Civil Rights movement. [book cover] Addresses controversial issues surrounding the complex and sometimes confrontational relationship between African-Americans and Latin-Americans, challenging assumptions that the two groups are natural political allies while offering insight into how communities can benefit from mutually beneficial agendas. Reprint. 15,000 first printing. Prior to the 2000 Census various political commentators, reporters, academics, and government entities predicted that while the num of Latinos in the United States would eventually surpass the num of African Americans, this phenomenon would not happen until some time in the very distant future.