Multi-America: Essays on Cultural Wars and Cultural Peace

by Ishmael Reed (Editor)

“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
• 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

Genres: Race, Essays

496 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1998

About the author

Ishmael Scott Reed is an American poet, essayist, and novelist. A prominent African-American literary figure, Reed is known for his satirical works challenging American political culture, and highlighting political and cultural oppression.

Reed has been described as one of the most controversial writers. While his work has often sought to represent neglected African and African-American perspectives, his energy and advocacy have centered more broadly on neglected peoples and perspectives irrespective of their cultural origins.

Reviews

[Barry Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are pieces of the perspective of race I needed to add to my knowedge base.