We Are All Multiculturalists Now

The melting pot is no more. Where not very long ago we sought assimilation, we now pursue multiculturalism. Nowhere has this transformation been more evident than in the public schools, where a traditional Eurocentric curriculum has yielded to diversity--and, often, to confrontation and confusion. In a book that brings clarity and reason to this highly charged issue, Nathan Glazer explores these sweeping changes. He offers an incisive account of why we all--advocates and skeptics alike--have become multiculturalists, and what this means for national unity, civil society, and the education of our youth. Focusing particularly on the impact in public schools, Glazer dissects the four issues uppermost in the minds of people on both sides of the multicultural fence: Whose "truth" do we recognize in the curriculum? Will an emphasis on ethnic roots undermine or strengthen our national unity in the face of international disorder? Will attention to social injustice, past and present, increase or decrease civil disharmony and strife? Does a multicultural curriculum enhance learning, by engaging students' interest and by raising students' self-esteem, or does it teach irrelevance at best and fantasy at worst? Glazer argues cogently that multiculturalism arose from the failure of mainstream society to assimilate African Americans; anger and frustration at their continuing separation gave black Americans the impetus for rejecting traditions that excluded them. But, willingly or not, "we are all multiculturalists now," Glazer asserts, and his book gives us the clearest picture yet of what there is to know, to fear, and to ask of ourselves in this new identity. The Melting Pot No Longer Defines Us. Where Not Very Long Ago We Sought Assimilation, We Now Pursue Multiculturalism. Nowhere Has This Transformation Been More Evident Than In The Public Schools, Where A Traditional Eurocentric Curriculum Has Yielded To Diversity - And, Often, To Confrontation And Confusion. In A Book That Brings Clarity And Reason To This Highly Charged Issue, Nathan Glazer Explores These Sweeping Changes. He Offers An Incisive Account Of Why We All - Advocates And Skeptics Alike - Have Become Multiculturalists, And What This Means For National Unity, Civil Society, And The Education Of Our Youth. Focusing Particularly On The Impact In Public Schools, Glazer Dissects The Four Issues Uppermost In The Minds Of People On Both Sides Of The Multicultural Fence: Whose Truth Do We Recognize In The Curriculum? Will An Emphasis On Ethnic Roots Undermine Or Strengthen Our National Unity In The Face Of International Disorder? Will Attention To Social Injustice, Past And Present, Increase Or Decrease Civil Disharmony And Strife? Does A Multicultural Curriculum Enhance Learning, By Engaging Students' Interest And By Raising Students' Self-esteem, Or Does It Teach Irrelevance At Best And Fantasy At Worst? Glazer Argues Cogently That Multiculturalism Arose From The Failure Of Mainstream Society To Assimilate African Americans; Anger And Frustration At Their Continuing Separation Gave Black Americans The Impetus For Rejecting Traditions That Excluded Them. But, Willingly Or Not, We Are All Multiculturalists Now, Glazer Asserts, And His Book Gives Us The Clearest Picture Yet Of What There Is To Know, To Fear, And To Ask Of Ourselves About This New Identity. 1. The Multicultural Explosion -- 2. The New York Story -- 3. What Is At Stake In Multiculturalism? -- 4. The Rediscovery Of Nubia And Kush -- 5. Dealing With Diversity, Past And Present -- 6. Where Assimilation Failed -- 7. Can We Be Brought Together? -- 8. We Are All Multiculturalists Now. Nathan Glazer. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [163]-173) And Index. Multiculturalism in American education has been the subject of much debate and it has established a powerful position in both higher education and in earlier schooling. This book explores the conflict over multiculturalism, examines the social situation from which it has emerged, and considers implications for the future of American society. The first chapter, "The Multicultural Explosion," introduces multiculturalism and sets the stage for the discussion. Chapter 2, "The New York Story," discusses the conflict that arose over new social studies guidelines for schools in New York State. In Chapter 3, "What Is at Stake in Multiculturalism," four fears and concerns about multiculturalism are analyzed. Chapter 4, "The Rediscovery of Nubia and Kush," considers recent conflicts over social studies guidelines in California and the effort to establish national social studies curriculum guidelines. Chapter 5, "Dealing with Diversity, Past and Present," considers some of the background to multiculturalism in older conflicts over the proper response to diversity in American society. Chapter 6, "Where Assimilation Failed," explores assimilation as an ideal and a reality, focusing on the failure to include African Americans in assimilation efforts. Chapter 7, "Can We Be Brought Together," explores consequences of that failure and the separation of blacks and whites in the United States. Chapter 8, "We Are All Multiculturalists Now," discusses the inescapableness of the multicultural phase in current education. (Contains 126 endnotes.) (SLD) Where not very long ago Americans sought assimilation, they now pursue multiculturalism. Nowhere has this transformation been more evident than in the public schools. In a book that brings clarity and reason to this highly charged issue, Nathan Glazer explores these changes and offers an incisive account of why we all have become multiculturalists.