Edgewalkers: Defusing Cultural Boundaries on the New Global Frontier - Softcover

Boyd Krebs, Nina

3.4

5 ratings by Goodreads

9780882821849: Edgewalkers: Defusing Cultural Boundaries on the New Global Frontier

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0882821849 ISBN 13: 9780882821849

Publisher: New Horizon Press, 1999

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Edgewalkers are people who belong to two or more ethnic, cultural, or spiritual worlds. They reject both the idea of "melting pot" conformity and multiculturalism with its tendency to emphasize differences. Edgewalkers instead embrace their cultural complexity while still engaging in mainstream society. Through in-depth interviews, Krebs shares Edgewalkers' struggles and triumphs as they forge the uncharted territory of the new global frontier.

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From the Author:

The idea for Edgewalkers came to me a couple years before I began writing the book. I procrastinated because delving into the volatile realm of cultural conflict and what to do about it seemed overwhelming to me. As I began work on the project, though, I became more and more entranced by the people who sustain the integrity of their culture of origin, unconventional sexual orientation, or a particular spiritual path, and also deal with the mainstream effectively. This is no small accomplishment from either a psychological or sociological perspective. But, despite-or maybe because of-its complexity, it offers a wealth of self-understanding, as well as capacity for relating to others from different backgrounds.

I hope that as you read about these edgewalkers, you will tune into the ways you further the cause of cross-cultural harmony in your own way. My goal in writing the book is to clarify some of the ways people who identify with a micro-culture communicate effectively with people in their particular culture and the mainstream as well. They point out how they deal with the internal conflicts that result, and how they support themselves psychologically and emotionally as they dance between two cultures. The best way to understand this process comes through in the words of people who are doing it.

Racism, sexism, and prejudice against "difference" stand in bold relief against the ideals of inclusion in our culture. Dealing with these social ills is within the grasp of each one of us when we personally relate to people different from ourselves. Interviewing edgewalkers, visiting them in their homes and offices, and hearing their stories has been a deeply moving experience for me. I hope they speak with you in ways that embolden and encourage your journey on the edge.

From Publishers Weekly:

The traditional "melting pot" ideal has emphasized assimilation, while advocates of multiculturalism have argued that cultural groups should maintain distinct boundaries to facilitate political empowerment. Psychologist Krebs (Changing Woman, Changing Work) coins the phrase "edgewalkers" for those who will fully live in "a borderland" between the two approaches. In 1995, when Tiger Woods objected to press descriptions of himself as African-American by asserting that he was equally of Thai descent, he exemplified edgewalking by making the difficult choice to claim a complex identity. Edgewalkers also manifest the ability to change cultural gears without compromising themselves: for example, psychologist Satsuko Ina recounts how she left her confrontational role as the leader of a Gestalt group to return home, where she was to take part in her father's funeral as a traditional Japanese daughter. Not solely confined to ethnicity, Krebs's term also includes feminists negotiating their way in male-dominated work settings, spiritual seekers who absorb other faiths without departing from their religions of origin and American Caucasians who step outside of the mainstream culture to serve the disenfranchised. Primarily addressing edgewalkers seeking support and guidance, Krebs smoothly blends interviews with broad social analysis, intentionally simplifying a complex subject. Each chapter closes with a recap that would be helpful for classroom instruction. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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