About the book
In April 1983, a dynamic, multiracial political coalition did the unthinkable, electing Harold Washington as the first Black mayor of Chicago. Washington’s victory was unlikely not just because America’s second city was one of the nation’s most racially balkanized but also because it came at a time when Ronald Reagan and other political conservatives seemed resurgent. Washington’s initial win and reelection in 1987 established the charismatic politician as a folk hero. It also bolstered hope among Democrats that the party could win elections by pulling together multiracial urban voters around progressive causes. Yet what could be called the Washington era revealed clear limits to electoral politics and racial coalition building when decoupled from neighborhood-based movement organizing.
Drawing on a rich array of archives and oral history interviews, Gordon K. Mantler offers a bold reexamination of the Harold Washington movement and moment. Taking readers into Chicago’s street-level politics and the often tense relationships among communities and their organizers, Mantler shows how white supremacy, deindustrialization, dysfunction, and voters' own contradictory expectations stubbornly impeded many of Washington’s proposed reforms. Ultimately, Washington’s historic victory and the thwarted ambitions of his administration provide a cautionary tale about the peril of placing too much weight on electoral politics above other forms of civic action—a lesson today’s activists would do well to heed.
Editions of The Multiracial Promise
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469673851
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469673868
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469673882
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890856463
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469673875
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890856456
Read an Excerpt
In April 1983, a dynamic, multiracial political coalition did the unthinkable, electing Harold Washington as the first Black mayor of Chicago. Washington’s victory was unlikely not just because America’s second city was one of the nation’s most racially balkanized but also because it came at a time when Ronald Reagan and other political conservatives seemed resurgent. Washington’s initial win and reelection in 1987 established the charismatic politician as a folk hero. It also bolstered hope among Democrats that the party could win elections by pulling together multiracial urban voters around progressive causes. Yet what could be called the Washington era revealed clear limits to electoral politics and racial coalition building when decoupled from neighborhood-based movement organizing.
Drawing on a rich array of archives and oral history interviews, Gordon K. Mantler offers a bold reexamination of the Harold Washington movement and moment. Taking readers into Chicago’s street-level politics and the often tense relationships among communities and their organizers, Mantler shows how white supremacy, deindustrialization, dysfunction, and voters' own contradictory expectations stubbornly impeded many of Washington’s proposed reforms. Ultimately, Washington’s historic victory and the thwarted ambitions of his administration provide a cautionary tale about the peril of placing too much weight on electoral politics above other forms of civic action—a lesson today’s activists would do well to heed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Multiracial Promise about?
In April 1983, a dynamic, multiracial political coalition did the unthinkable, electing Harold Washington as the first Black mayor of Chicago. Washington’s victory was unlikely not just because America’s second city was one of the nation’s most racially balkanized but also because it came at a time when Ronald Reagan and other political conservatives seemed resurgent. Washington’s initial win and reelection in 1987 established the charismatic politician as a folk hero. It also bolstered hope among Democrats that the party could win elections by pulling together multiracial urban voters around progressive causes. Yet what could be called the Washington era revealed clear limits to electoral politics and racial coalition building when decoupled from neighborhood-based movement organizing.
Drawing on a rich array of archives and oral history interviews, Gordon K. Mantler offers a bold reexamination of the Harold Washington movement and moment. Taking readers into Chicago’s street-level politics and the often tense relationships among communities and their organizers, Mantler shows how white supremacy, deindustrialization, dysfunction, and voters' own contradictory expectations stubbornly impeded many of Washington’s proposed reforms. Ultimately, Washington’s historic victory and the thwarted ambitions of his administration provide a cautionary tale about the peril of placing too much weight on electoral politics above other forms of civic action—a lesson today’s activists would do well to heed.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Multiracial Promise?
Society and Social Sciences > Politics and government > Political science and theory
Where can I read a sample of The Multiracial Promise?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469673851
How long is The Multiracial Promise and how many pages does it have?
The Multiracial Promise has 366 page(s)
Is The Multiracial Promise part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Justice, Power, and Politics
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Multiracial Promise?
Gordon K. Mantler
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Multiracial Promise is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469673851) and paperback(ISBN 9781469673868) and ebook(ISBN 9781469673882) and ebook(ISBN 9798890856463) and ebook(ISBN 9781469673875) and pdf(ISBN 9798890856456)
Where can I buy The Multiracial Promise online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Multiracial Promise from below
Where can I buy The Multiracial Promise?