The Color of America Has Changed: How Racial Diversity Shaped Civil Rights Reform in California, 1941-1978

by Mark Brilliant

From the moment that the attack on the "problem of the color line," as W.E.B. DuBois famously characterized the problem of the twentieth century, began to gather momentum nationally during World War II, California demonstrated that the problem was one of color lines.

In The Color of America Has Changed, Mark Brilliant examines California's history to illustrate how the civil rights era was a truly nationwide and multiracial phenomenon-one that was shaped and complicated by the presence of not only blacks and whites, but also Mexican Americans, Japanese Americans, and Chinese Americans, among others. Focusing on a wide range of legal and legislative initiatives pursued by a diverse group of reformers, Brilliant analyzes the cases that dismantled the state's multiracial system of legalized segregation in the 1940s and subsequent battles over fair employment practices, old-age pensions for long-term resident non-citizens, fair housing, agricultural labor, school desegregation, and bilingual education. He concludes with the conundrum created by the multiracial affirmative action program at issue in the United States Supreme Court's 1978 Regents of the University of California v. Bakke decision. The Golden State's status as a civil rights vanguard for the nation owes in part to the numerous civil rights precedents set there and to the disparate challenges of civil rights reform in multiracial places.

While civil rights historians have long set their sights on the South and recently have turned their attention to the North, advancing a "long civil rights movement" interpretation, Mark Brilliant calls for a new understanding of civil rights history that more fully reflects the racial diversity of America.

Genres: History, Race, Politics, Nonfiction, The United States Of America

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Sarah Jensen]

Book Review: The Color of America Has Changed: How Racial Diversity Shaped Civil Rights Reform in California, 1941-1978
Author: Mark Brilliant
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication Date: September 2010
ISBN: 978-0195381383

Introduction
Mark Brilliant’s The Color of America Has Changed: How Racial Diversity Shaped Civil Rights Reform in California, 1941-1978 offers a nuanced examination of the interplay between racial diversity and civil rights movements in California during a pivotal period in American history. By exploring how various racial and ethnic groups influenced civil rights reform, Brilliant challenges traditional narratives that often center predominantly on African American experiences and contributions. This book is essential for scholars of American history, civil rights, and racial studies, as it provides a comprehensive understanding of how diversity shaped social justice efforts in the Golden State.

Content Overview
Brilliant’s work is structured around key historical events and movements, reflecting both the complexity and the interconnectedness of racial dynamics in California:

Historical Context and Background: The author begins by contextualizing the civil rights movement within the broader social and political landscape of California from 1941 to 1978. He highlights the state’s unique demographic composition, which includes significant populations of Latinos, Asians, and other racial groups, setting the stage for a multifaceted civil rights struggle.

Case Studies of Activism: Brilliant delves into specific case studies that illustrate the collaborative and sometimes contentious relationships between different racial groups in their fight for equality. He examines significant events such as the fight against discriminatory housing policies, labor rights movements, and the activism surrounding education reform.

Impact of Legislation and Policy: The book critically analyzes key legislative milestones, such as the California Fair Employment Practices Act and Proposition 14, evaluating how these laws were influenced by and responded to the demands of a diverse populace. Brilliant articulates how these legal frameworks either facilitated or hindered progress toward racial equality.

Intersectionality of Racial Identities: A notable theme in Brilliant’s analysis is the intersectionality of racial identities. He discusses how the experiences and struggles of various groups—African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans—were interconnected and how their collective activism often challenged the dominant narratives of the civil rights movement.

Legacy and Continuing Challenges: In the concluding sections, Brilliant reflects on the legacy of the civil rights movements in California and their implications for contemporary discussions about race and equality. He raises critical questions regarding the ongoing challenges faced by diverse communities, suggesting that the lessons learned during this period remain relevant today.

Thematic Analysis
A central theme of The Color of America Has Changed is the importance of recognizing pluralistic alliances in civil rights advocacy. Brilliant argues that understanding the diverse coalition-building efforts among racial groups is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of social change in California. This theme is particularly relevant in today’s context of increasing racial and ethnic diversity within the United States.

Another significant theme is the dynamic nature of racial identities. Brilliant emphasizes that racial categories are not static; rather, they evolve in response to social, political, and economic pressures. This perspective enriches the discourse surrounding civil rights, urging readers to consider the fluidity of identity in the fight for justice.

Strengths
Brilliant’s work is marked by its extensive research and scholarship. He draws on a wide array of primary sources, including archival materials, interviews, and grassroots documents, providing a rich and vivid portrayal of the era. His ability to weave together personal narratives with broader historical trends enhances the narrative’s depth and accessibility.

Additionally, the book’s interdisciplinary approach bridges history, sociology, and political science, making it a valuable resource for a diverse audience. Brilliant’s clear writing style and engaging prose further contribute to its readability, ensuring that complex ideas are presented in an approachable manner.

Critique
While The Color of America Has Changed is an insightful contribution to the field, it could further benefit from a more robust examination of the resistance faced by these movements. By integrating a discussion on the backlash against civil rights initiatives, particularly among conservative groups, Brilliant could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges activists encountered.

Additionally, while the focus on California is a strength, the book might have included comparisons to civil rights movements in other states. Such comparisons could elucidate how California’s experiences were both unique and reflective of national trends.

Conclusion
Mark Brilliant’s The Color of America Has Changed: How Racial Diversity Shaped Civil Rights Reform in California, 1941-1978 is a foundational text that expands the understanding of civil rights movements by highlighting the role of racial diversity in shaping social justice efforts. Through meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, Brilliant invites readers to reconsider the narratives surrounding the civil rights movement, making a compelling case for the ongoing relevance of these struggles. This book is highly recommended for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the complexities of race and civil rights in America.

[Dylan Jarman · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the "history" is good (ie, factual), I personally feel like this book is pointless at best, harmful at worst. The main thesis (as articulated by Brilliant in a presentation I attended), that "differing modes of oppression often require different, and even conflicting, modes of redress," is potentially harmful toward the end of unifying movements and solidarity. While Brilliant is nominally "descriptive rather than prescriptive," the fact that the book was researched, written, and published at all risks too much for the banality of the main thrust to be worth the articulation.

[lily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I call I read this because my teacher practically made us read the whole thing for history class