Lessons on the Power of Collaboration from the Urban League-UnidosUS Documentary ‘Gumbo Coalition’
What can we learn from the unity of Black and Latinx leaders fighting for social justice?
Gumbo Coalition, a powerful documentary directed by Barbara Kopple, dives deep into this question.
It followed the National Urban League’s Marc Morial and UnidosUS’s Janet Murguía as they championed the rights of their communities through a time of intense social and political turmoil.
I recently had the chance to catch the film, and let me tell you, it wasn’t just another documentary rehashing the struggles that people of color endure in today’s America. This film offered up a rich mix of strategies and resilience in the face of adversity.
In it, the civil rights leaders didn’t just serve up ideas — they were cooking up a storm.
The result? They were able to stir up a metaphorical gumbo pot filled with initiatives that promise not just to season the pot, but to transform the whole kitchen.
Setting the scene
Morial, with his roots as a former mayor of New Orleans, and Murguía, a steadfast advocate for Latino rights, used their platforms to tackle systemic issues exacerbated during the tempestuous Trump era.
It was a story of unity, with their leadership transcending individual struggles to address the collective hurdles that were facing their communities, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, racial injustices, and political upheavals surrounding the 2020 elections.
What I enjoyed most was seeing how their collaboration was not just about shared goals but about shared humanity.
Several moments stood out to me for their raw emotion and pivotal significance in the struggle for social justice. These scenes shed light on the deep-seated issues that Morial and Murguía have dedicated themselves to combatting.
One such moment was the Save Our Sons program in St. Louis, where Morial engaged directly with participants at the launch of the pilot program in that city.
In an intimate setting surrounded by a group of Black and Brown men who were on the brink of being released from prison, Morial asked what the participants believed was the cure for their pain.
One participant’s response cut right to the heart of what I would say is a universal quest for acknowledgment and support.
“Love,” the man said. “You just want to know that somebody gives a damn,”
Morial’s reply resonated with me because it was an example of the encouragement and solidarity we need to see more often.
“Everybody’s not against you. Make no mistake — some people are,” he said. “All I can promise you is we’re for you. Most importantly, you can be there for yourself.”
This exchange not only highlighted the emotional core of the program but also showed the broader mission of the National Urban League: to empower and uplift.
Another gripping scene unfolded during an UnidosUS event where a woman recounted the harrowing day she and her husband were torn apart by immigration enforcement.
After a routine appointment at ICE, her life changed drastically when her husband was detained and later deported.
Her story was a poignant reminder of the human cost of stringent immigration policies — serving as a powerful testimony to the challenges faced by immigrant families under the shifting political landscape during the Trump presidency.
Murguía’s reflections during that moment revealed her disillusionment with the nation’s progress on racial and social issues.
“Little did I know,” she said, “there was still a lot of unresolved issues and deep divisions.”
Her appearance on CNN, where she debated Lou Dobbs and confronted hate speech, highlighted the backlash and increased attacks that had been taking place on her organization, demonstrating the contentious environment civil rights advocates often navigate.
The film also captured the broader political landscape, with Marc Morial commenting on the dramatic shift from the Obama era to the Trump administration, describing it as “a hurricane of conflict.”
This stark contrast framed the documentary’s exploration of the escalating challenges during these years.
Murguía’s rallying cry cut through a lot of the noise you often hear about social justice movements: “We have to meet the moment. We have to fight back and create a path forward that embraces diversity and sees it as a strength for this country.” I took that statement as a powerful call to action to recommit ourselves to lifting up the hopes and dreams of all Americans, regardless of their background.
These scenes from Gumbo Coalition were more than just snippets of dialogue. They were a clarion call for empathy, action and unity in the face of adversity.
Through the lens of these leaders, the film invited viewers to reflect on the ongoing struggle for justice and the critical role of leadership in shaping a more equitable future.
A call to action
Now, why should you, the leaders of today’s justice-motivated enterprises, care? It’s simple.
The documentary revealed an underrepresented truth: Effective social change is brewed in the cauldron of collaboration.
When diverse voices like those of Morial and Murguía come together, the impact multiplies. It’s about creating a “gumbo” where every ingredient is essential, where the unique flavors of each community are not just recognized but are crucial to the richness of the outcome.
Moreover, today’s social landscape is fraught with challenges, with every step forward met with resistance. This resistance makes it even more crucial to form alliances that can withstand and push back against the tides of regression. The victories of the past — no matter how small — need protection and the coalitions of the present need strengthening.
So, as you lead your organizations, remember the lessons from the Gumbo Coalition.
Seek out partnerships, even unlikely ones.
Advocate not just in moments of calm but more so in crises.
And always, always make room at the table for more voices — because the most robust coalitions are those that reflect the full spectrum of those they aim to serve.
