CSS - Can Css Cascade Upstream?

Can someone help me with the correct cascade for the class "item-list" within "newscontent"? This is within Drupal and the default or system css for "item-list" seems to be overriding anything I try for the ul or li. I've created a new css file for this particular block. So I want a new style for the li text links within the ul that are in the class"item-list" within "newscontent". I've tried but I can't figure out the proper cascade. Thanks in advance.

<div class="newscontent"><div class="item-list"><ul><li><a href="path/?q=link">This is the link</a></li>

ok, so lets say i have two <div>s. the parent, i want to be a tad translucent, but the child i don't want to be. is there anyway i can stop that opacity property from cascading?

example:
Code:

<style>
#div1 {filter: alpha(opacity=50); -moz-opacity: .5; }
#div2 {propery:value; blah blah blah}
</style>

<div id="div1">
     <div id="div2">
          Some text and content here
     </div>
</div>

thanks!

later