Multi-America: Essays on Cultural Wars and Cultural Peace

by Ishmael Reed (Editor), Ishmael Reed (Introduction)

Overview

“An exhilarating mix of unpredictable points of view . . . there’s real vitality in this anthology’s crazy-quilt vision of America.”—Kirkus Reviews
 
Is there such a thing as “American” culture? No, says Ishmael Reed, the editor of this refreshing anthology and a longtime critic of the mainstream media which, he insists, marginalizes non-Anglo, non-Yankee cultures. In this impressive collection of dissenting voices, Reed and other African-Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Americans, Italian-Americans, and Irish-Americans speak out against monoculturalism and provide perspectives from points of view frequently omitted from the discussion of race in the United States.
 
Addressing a broad variety of issues—including assimilation; racial conflicts between minorities and within the gay rights movement; victimization; and stereotyping—these essays by notable writers, teachers, students, and professionals take us far beyond the issues of black vs. white and often veer toward the controversial. Stimulating, unpredictable, and provocative, Multi-America introduces the authentic voices of Rainbow America in all their diverse, angry, proud, celebratory glory.
 
Contributors include:
• Miguel Algarin
• Amiri Baraka
• Ana Castillo
• Frank Chin
• Earl Ofari Hutchinson
• Jack Foley
• Robert Elliot Fox
• Daniela Gioseffi
• Nathan Hare
• Juan Felipe Herrera
• Helen Barolini
• Maulana Karenga
• Martin Kilson
• Elaine H. Kim
• Bharati Mukherjee
• Leslie Marmon Silko
• Barbara Smith
• Werner Sollors
• Gerald Vizenor
• William Wong

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780140259124
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	02/01/1998
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	496
Product dimensions:	5.28(w) x 7.88(h) x 1.12(d)

About the Author

Ishmael Reed is one of America's most renowned African-American writers. He is the author of plays, poetry and novels, including Japanese by Spring. He lives in Oakland, California.
Ishmael Reed is one of America's most renowned African-American writers. He is the author of plays, poetry and novels, including Japanese by Spring. He lives in Oakland, California.

Editorial Reviews

The Simpson trials, the controversy over Ebonics, and recent California legislation aimed at illegal aliens are but three examples of how America no longer lives up to the "melting pot" image, according to the author. In an assorted group of 52 essays, minority authors-Asian Americans, African Americans, Italian Americans, and Latinos-explore the polarization of American societies. Editor Reed (Airing Dirty Laundry, LJ 11/1/93) provides an introductory essay that points at media stereotyping as the reason for most of the problem. Some contributors, such as Michael E. Ross, Gerald Horne, Michael Lenoir, and Rudolfo Anaya, are not optimistic for the future of racial relations. Others, like Elaine Kim and Brenda Payton, are more hopeful for ethnic identity in America. Still others, like Martin Kilson, want different ethnic groups to work together to bring change. This is an important, even controversial book, and one to which the established Anglo leadership should pay attention. Highly recommended.-Boyd Childress, Auburn Univ. Lib., Ala.

Library Journal