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