Black, Brown, Yellow, and Left: Radical Activism in Los Angeles(19 American Crossroads)

Laura Pulido traces the roots of third world radicalism in Southern California during the 1960s and 1970s in this accessible, wonderfully illustrated comparative study. Focusing on the Black Panther Party, El Centro de Accion Social y Autonomo (CASA), and East Wind, a Japanese American collective, she explores how these African American, Chicana/o, and Japanese American groups sought to realize their ideas about race and class, gender relations, and multiracial alliances. Based on thorough research as well as extensive interviews, "Black, Brown, Yellow, and Left" explores the differences and similarities between these organizations, the strengths and weaknesses of the third world left as a whole, and the ways that differential racialization led to distinct forms of radical politics. Pulido provides a masterly, nuanced analysis of complex political events, organizations, and experiences. She gives special prominence to multiracial activism and includes an engaging account of where the activists are today, together with a consideration of the implications for contemporary social justice organizing.

Table of Contents:
List of Illustrations List of Tables Acknowledgments Introduction Part I. Race, Class, and Activism 1. Race and Political Activism 2. Differential Racialization in Southern California 3. The Politicization of the Third World Left Part II. The Third World Left 4. Serving the People and Vanguard Politics: The Formation of the Third World Left in Los Angeles 5. Ideologies of Nation, Class, and Race in the Third World Left 6. The Politics of Solidarity: Interethnic Relations in the Third World Left 7. Patriarchy and Revolution: Gender Relations in the Third World Left 8. The Third World Left Today and Contemporary Activism Notes Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Laura Pulido is Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Program in American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California. She is the author of Environmentalism and Economic Justice: Two Chicano Struggles in the Southwest (1996).

Review :
“A crucial books at a critical time. It helps make clear why this turn among geographers and others toward understanding the historical geography of earlier moments of radicalism is not just an exercise in political nostalgia, but is vitally important for understanding how we must move forward, and what resources are available to do so.” "Black, Brown, Yellow, and Left is methodologically rich. From interviews with movement participants to posters and fliers from SoCal Black Panther Party events and newsletters, the analysis integrates a wide range of archival and ethnographic materials."  "Contributes to a flourishing conversation about the operation and obstacles of the radical left that should continue for years to come." "Urban-ethnic scholars must read Dr. Laura Pulido's book."