"Gibbs and Bankhead examine the history and current situation in California as the nation's most populous state struggles to deal with the ethnic and racial change that will make it the first state to have a non-white majority in the first decade of the 21st century. From white reactions of "shock" and denial, to "bargaining" to change the outcome, they analyze the impact of these demographic trends in California and what this may mean for the rest of the country.".

"Gibbs and Bankhead trace the major historical, social, economic, and political events of the past 50 years which have laid the foundation for such ethnically and racially divisive initiatives as the efforts to strengthen anti-crime measures, to remove illegal immigrants, to limit affirmative action measures, and to eliminate bilingual education.

Each of these ballot propositions is examined, detailing the pro and con arguments of their advocates and opponents, their major financial contributors, campaign strategies, ethnic voting patterns, implications of implementation, and their impact on people of color. Gibbs and Bankhead then look at parallels from a national and international perspective.

They conclude with a discussion of the values that should guide public policy debates in this emerging multiethnic, multicultural society, and propose specific policy alternatives to address the issues of crime prevention and control, illegal immigration, affirmative action, and bilingual education."--BOOK JACKET.