As Californians battle over Prop. 8's hotly contested ban on same-sex marriage, ACLU veterans Elinson (coauthor of The Development Debacle
) and Yogi (co-editor of Highway 99
) offer crucial perspective on the history of minority rights in a state long considered a political trendsetter. Beginning in the mid-19th century—amid the expulsion of Chinese communities from hundreds of California towns and state-sponsored genocidal campaigns against indigenous tribes—the authors describe, in hefty but clear and cogent detail, the shifting patterns of fear, xenophobia, white supremacy and economic competition and exploitation that have repeatedly motivated majorities of Californians to undermine the civil liberties of minorities. But the silver lining to this shameful history is boldly painted: from the free speech fights on behalf of workers by the IWW or on behalf of artists by poet and publisher Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Californians have relentlessly asserted their constitutional rights in cases and campaigns that have often strengthened the rights of all Americans. Readers will find this an essential reference in navigating the slogan-riddled civil rights issues of the day. (Oct.)
