Multi-America: Essays on Cultural Wars and Cultural Peace

“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

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.