Analysis of Another City is Possible

History 301: The Individual, Family and Community in Historic Perspective

March 12, 2014

By
Jennifer Mendoza

Daniel Widener in the article titled, Another City is Possible Interethnic Organizing in
Contemporary Los Angeles, discusses how the demographics of Los Angeles have changed and
the resulting consequences in terms of political organizations. Specifically there is the discussion
of interethnic conflicts that have arisen throughout the history of Los Angeles. Special emphasis
is given to the political activism among different groups of people looking to obtain greater racial
and economic justice. Widener argues how there have been resulting patterns when looking back
at the history of racially related events and how in the past fifteen years there has been an
increasing effort from people at changing the inequalities both economically and socially.
Widener claims that patterns can be recognized when analyzing the past century in terms
of the racial occurrences that have taken place especially since there has been an increase in
racial minorities. He states, For much of the twentieth century, patterns of social, cultural, and
political mixing emerged as a dialectical response to a kind of multiracism that took local
nonwhite populations as a collectively unwelcome presence.1 Widener explains that the social
and political related events that occurred throughout Los Angeles were a response to tensions
that existed between different ethnic groups. He takes the term multiracism from Vijay
Prashads work. It is the tension that has existed between groups that has led to the dominant
group having greater say in political issues while the minority group does not have this same
voice. There developed a profound dislike towards nonwhite populations because of the
erroneous notion of a race being superior to another, which many times resulted in
violence.There are several examples that are presented by Widener demonstrating the collective
effort on part of various ethnic groups to organize for a common cause. Widener states, Perhaps
the single-most critical figure in the resurgence of working-class politics in Los Angeles was late
Miguel ContrerasContreras sought to use labor as a bridge between black and brown
Angelenos intervened in twenty-three congressional, legislative, and local elections.2 This
serves as an example of the efforts that were made to unite different ethnic groups in search of

common ground that would serve their interests. People have common concerns that need to be
acknowledged and sometimes competitiveness can occur. These issues can range from housing,
educational and work related among many others. Contreras was part of the County Federation
of Labor, which is one example of the many organizations that exist to unite people of various
ethnicities with common issues. In addition, Widener explains, The GWC, for example, links
Latino and Asian American workers in an industry where the latter often share linguistic,
national, and social bonds with management.3 Widener is referring to work centers that offer aid
to workers and in doing so also seek to reduce tensions among ethnic groups. Campaigns are
conducted with the goal to able to provide positive changes that will benefit workers and bring
various racial groups together. Because of the demographic changes that have occurred over the
years in Los Angeles especially with an increase in various minority groups, this has
subsequently led to an increase of work centers and organizations that provide services to
workers.
Widener asserts that there are other obstacles impeding interethnic politics today. This can be
noted when he states, Divisions within the immigrant rights movement suggest another example
of what the 1970s-era left termed contradictions among the people.4 He is referring to an issue
that remains to be resolved in whether illegal immigrants will be able to obtain legalization. He
compares this movement to the 1970s, which was a time of much political activism. As is
common with political movements, there are disagreements of what is the best solution to
resolve problems. Other ethnic groups might be threatened by these types of movements because
they might feel that this will change their current status. Daniel further explains, it is
important to draw distinctions between this violence and the more generalized
problem of black hostility toward immigrant Latino populations or the ambivalence some
immigrant groups demonstrate toward African Americans.5 Widener mentions how there have
been more racial conflicts between these two ethnic groups, which have led to violent results.

But he wants to emphasize the fact that there are hostilities that are impeding collaboration.
Widener mentions the organizing attempts that unite people of various races but also discusses
the hostilities that are still present in regards to political issues.
Los Angeles is a diverse city that has attracted people from all around the globe. For this reason
this city more than in other ones in the United States is confronted with more issues that deal
with race and ethnicity. Daniel uses many journals, texts, and newspaper articles to prove the
points that he makes. He is able to identify the patterns that have resulted when tracing back
historical events that took place among various ethnic groups and the numerous resulting
conflicts among them. However, many efforts are discussed of people organizing to unite for
common concerns. Present times reveal several issues that have yet to be dealt with and with this
comes many questions as to how and if they will be resolved completely. One particular issue
that Widener plays close attention is to the topic of immigration. He seems to question whether
this movement will continue to pursue major change or will along the way conform to only
minor changes. There are plenty of questions that Widener proposes that the city as well as others
will have to deal with. In particular there is the question of the role that other ethnic races will
take with the immigration reform. There are issues that remain to be resolved and with this come
the ties of race and ethnicity.
Endnotes

1. Daniel, Widener, Another City is Possible: Interethnic Organizing in Contemporary Los Angeles,

Race /Ethnicity: Multidisciplinary Global Contexts, no.2 (2008): 192, Accessed March 13, 2014.
2. Ibid., 201.
3.

Ibid.,203. 4. Ibid.,207
5. Ibid., 207.
Bibliography
Widener, Daniel. 2008. Another City is Possible: Interethnic Organizing in Contemporary Los Angeles.
Race/Ethnicity: Multidisciplinary Global Contexts. 1, no. 2: 189-219.

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