Cultural Studies 2 : American Multiculturalism

Welcome to my blog,

This blog is part of our study. This Thinking activity is based on Cultural Studies Unit -2 and was assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir Department of English MKBU.In this task, we have to write on one topic from the following topics.

1) New Historicism

2) American Multiculturalism

3) Cyberfeminism

4) Paul Virilio's Dromology (Speed) and a critique of it in the form of 'Slow Movement'

5) AI and the Risk Society

What is Cultural Studies?

Cultural studies is an interdisciplinary field that draws from sociology, anthropology, politics, history, economics, philosophy, literature, communications, and more. It explores the creation of meaning in social structures, considering factors such as class, ethnicity, gender, race, ideology, and nationality. Rather than focusing on a specific culture, cultural studies aim to understand the general elements of culture within various societal contexts, including economic, political, and historical dimensions.

The field provides insights into how culture is organized, created, and evolves over time. Cultural studies are crucial for understanding societal structures, behaviors, and attitudes, fostering critical thinking, and offering potential improvements for the future.

Cultural studies are underpinned by several main theories, such as cultural construction, hegemony, Marxist cultural theory, and non-Marxist theory. In its initial stages, cultural studies found early proponents who predominantly embraced the Marxist approach.

Cultural studies is an interdisciplinary field that draws from various academic disciplines. It is defined as a realm of study that explores the creation of meaning within social structures, encompassing factors like class, ethnicity, gender, race, ideology, nationality, and more.

These are the types of Cultural Studies.

What is Multiculturalism?

The two primary theories or models of multiculturalism as the manner in which different cultures are integrated into a single society are best defined by the metaphors commonly used to describe them—the “melting pot” and the “salad bowl” theories.

Multiculturalism describes the manner in which a given society deals with cultural diversity. Based on the underlying assumption that members of often very different cultures can coexist peacefully, multiculturalism expresses the view that society is enriched by preserving, respecting, and even encouraging cultural diversity.

What is American Multiculturalism?

In 1965, the Watts race riots gained global attention, marking a turbulent period in the United States. The Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964, but the subsequent year saw a backlash, with the Selma to Montgomery civil rights march marred by violence, including murders and other atrocities. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act in response.

The "long, hot summer" of 1966 witnessed violent uprisings in cities like Newark, Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Atlanta, with scenes of unrest dominating television screens. Against this backdrop, the Black Panther Party was founded. James Meredith, the first African-American student at the University of Mississippi, was wounded by a white segregationist. Julian Bond, duly elected as a State Representative, faced the denial of his seat in the Georgia House.

During this time, the majority of African-American students in the South still attended segregated schools, and widespread discrimination persisted in various industries. Interracial marriage remained illegal in many states, highlighting the ongoing struggles for civil rights and racial equality in the 1960s.

These are some different categories of literary contributions based on ethnic or cultural backgrounds. Each category represents a rich tapestry of voices and experiences within American literature:

1. African American Writers

2. Latina/o Writers

3. American Indian Literatures

4. Asian American Writers

1. African American Writers

African American studies is a prominent focus in American literary criticism, spanning from the rediscovery of eighteenth-century poets like Phillis Wheatley to the groundbreaking novels of Toni Morrison. In his work "Shadow and Act" (1964), novelist Ralph Ellison contended that a "viable theory of Negro American culture obligates us to fashion a more adequate theory of American culture as a whole" (253). While it may seem self-evident today, given the pervasive influence of African-American culture on American arts, fashion, music, and more, Ellison's argument was considered radical in the 1950s.

African-American literature often embodies a folkloric understanding of humanity, characterized by what W. E. B. DuBois referred to as "double consciousness." This term captures the nuanced awareness of being both Black and American, reflecting the complex layers of identity and experience within the African-American community. This literary tradition has played a pivotal role in shaping not only African American culture but also contributing significantly to the broader landscape of American literature and culture.

African-American literature gained prominence in the 1940s with protest novels by authors like Richard Wright. These works, set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement, addressed social issues and depicted characters challenging a society marked by exploitation. Influenced by Naturalism and African-American traditions, Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" became a seminal work, exploring a black man's journey to reclaim his identity.

The 1960s saw the Black Power and Black Arts Movement, with figures like Amiri Baraka and Ishmael Reed. In contemporary times, Toni Morrison's works, such as "The Bluest Eye" and "Beloved," offer profound insights into the lives of black protagonists confronting racism in American society, transcending labels and showcasing her prowess as a writer.

2. Latina/o Writers

The term "Latina/o" is used to encompass the broad ethnicity of Spanish-speaking people in the United States. While there's no single culture accurately described as Latina/o due to the diversity among Spanish-speaking peoples, the impact of this diversity on American culture has been significant. The mainstreaming of characteristics such as language, identities, and political engagement has led to the rephrasing of terms like "American Literature" and "American Studies" to "Literature of the Americas" or "Studies of the Americas." Political parties actively court the "Hispanic vote," and Latina/os have gained representation in various fields, including arts, broadcasting, entertainment, literature, and film. This phenomenon is reflected in the success of figures like Sandra Cisneros and Robert Rodriguez, both contributing to the rich tapestry of Latina/o culture in the United States.

The history of indigenous cultures in the New World has been marked by conquests, transformations, and the emergence of a mestizo (mixed-blood) literary culture. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 played a pivotal role, leading to the creation of Mexican-American literature as the trajectory of Mexican culture shifted toward the newly expanded United States. The concept of borders, both physical and cultural, is a recurring theme in Latina/o studies. Scholars like Gloria Anzaldúa explore the liminal spaces, or "borderlands," where Latinas/os navigate between countries, languages, and cultures.

The Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s sparked increased political awareness and artistic production among Mexican Americans. The trauma of World War II, the acculturation process, and subsequent political movements influenced literary works, with authors like Rudolfo Anaya contributing to the exploration of cultural identity. The 1970s marked a shift in recognition, with Latinas gaining prominence as writers, challenging traditional gender roles and providing insights into the complexity of Mexican-American experiences. Archetypal figures like La Malinche, La Virgen de Guadalupe, and La Llorona play central roles in shaping Latina identity, with contemporary scholars reevaluating their significance.

Latina/o studies involve a continuous exploration of the cultural map that is, in essence, all borders. The experience of Latina/os as a "living border" involves continual crossovers of languages, identities, and political boundaries. This dynamic, often described as "trans-creation," challenges traditional notions of borders and separations, emphasizing the arbitrary nature of these divisions. Immigrant literature frequently features autobiographical tropes of crossing over, cultural hiding, alienation, and the creation of new identities. The cultural landscape of Latina/o literature is characterized by rich diversity, challenging historical narratives, and an ongoing dialogue that seeks to redefine ethnicity and gender roles in American society.

3. American Indian Literatures

In predominantly oral cultures, storytelling serves as a crucial means of transmitting religious beliefs, moral values, political codes, and practical lessons of everyday life. For American Indians, storytelling holds particular significance as a source of strength, especially in the face of centuries of silencing by Euro-Americans. Regarding nomenclature, "Native American" is often preferred by academics and many tribal members, as "Indian" is considered a misnomer and stereotype. However, "American Indian" is sometimes favored over "Native American." It's crucial to recognize the diverse identities among hundreds of tribes, each with distinct languages, beliefs, and customs.

Two types of Indian literature have emerged as fields of study:

Traditional Indian Literature: This includes tales, songs, and oratory that have existed on the North American continent for centuries. Composed in tribal languages and performed for tribal audiences, examples include the Winnebago Trickster Cycle. Traditional literatures are now also composed in English.

Mainstream Indian Literature: Refers to works written by Indians in English in traditional genres like fiction, poetry, and autobiography. Unlike traditional literature, mainstream Indian literature is written and is more accessible to the average reader.

Traditional Indian literature, being primarily oral, presents challenges in translation due to contextual frames and the oral/performative/sacred functions. Unlike Western distinctions between high and low culture, Indian tribes do not separate literature from everyday life; it is a practical tool for perpetuating heritage, instructing the young, and addressing various needs.

Early mainstream Indian authors include Samson Occom, with later writers in the 19th and early 20th centuries addressing native rights, U.S. government duplicities, racial ambivalence, and tribal constancy. Notable figures include Zitkala-Sa, Gertrude Bonnin, and the renaissance of Indian fiction and poetry in the 1960s with writers like M. Scott Momaday, Louise Erdrich, and Joy Harjo. These authors illuminate little-known but historically rich aspects of American Indian past and present, contributing to a literary landscape that challenges stereotypes and enriches cultural understanding.

4. Asian American Writers

Asian American literature encompasses works written by individuals of Asian descent in the United States, capturing the experience of living in a society that often perceives them as outsiders. Asian immigrants faced challenges such as denial of citizenship, a struggle reflected in the literature. Writers from various Asian backgrounds, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Polynesian, and others, contribute to this diverse literary landscape.

The category of Asian American literature is expansive, covering an array of languages, religions, social structures, and skin colors, making it even more diverse than categories like Latina/o or American Indian. The complexity is heightened by the varied histories of Asian Americans, with some being recent arrivals and others tracing their American roots for generations.

The literature's origins can be traced to the early 20th century, marked by autobiographical "paper son" stories and "confessions." These narratives often dealt with the challenges faced by Chinese immigrants, and later, Asian American autobiography adopted similar descriptive strategies. Maxine Hong Kingston's "The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts" exemplifies this genre's liminality, blurring the lines between critique and unapologetic description.

Chinese women emerged as a prominent group within Asian American literature, surpassing Asian men in literary output. The diversity of Asian American literature extends to writers from various Asian backgrounds, with a notable focus on Chinese women authors. The genre has evolved to include contemporary voices like Amy Tan, whose "The Joy Luck Club" explores the lives of Chinese women immigrants and their daughters.

Recent attention in Asian American studies has extended to writers from Hawaii, Guam, and the Philippines, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the Pacific region's literature. This expansion also includes a critical examination of works by Anglo-American authors about the Pacific in contrast to those by "local" writers. The literary landscape thus captures the multifaceted experiences of Asian Americans and contributes to a broader cultural understanding.

Melting Pot

The term "melting pot" is a metaphorical concept used to describe a society where people from different cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, and nationalities come together to form a unified and harmonious whole. In a melting pot, diverse groups blend together, assimilating into a common culture and identity. The metaphor suggests that, much like various ingredients melting together in a pot, individuals from different backgrounds fuse into a homogeneous society.

The idea of the melting pot has been particularly associated with the United States, which has a history of immigration and a diverse population. The concept implies a cultural assimilation where immigrants adopt the language, customs, and values of the dominant culture, contributing to the formation of a shared national identity. However, it's essential to note that the metaphor has been critiqued for oversimplifying the complexities of cultural interactions and for neglecting the importance of maintaining cultural diversity within a society.

In contrast to the melting pot, some argue for the metaphor of a "salad bowl" or "mosaic," where diverse cultures coexist while maintaining their unique characteristics. These alternative metaphors emphasize the value of cultural diversity and the idea that different elements can contribute to a vibrant and enriching whole without losing their individual identities. The choice of metaphor often reflects broader discussions about multiculturalism, assimilation, and the nature of identity in diverse societies.

Salad Bowl

The "salad bowl" is a metaphorical concept used to illustrate the idea of cultural diversity in a society. Unlike the "melting pot" metaphor, which suggests that diverse groups should assimilate into a common culture, the salad bowl emphasizes the preservation of individual cultural identities within a larger, unified whole.

In a salad bowl, various cultural elements, represented by different ingredients, coexist while retaining their distinct flavors, textures, and characteristics. Each component contributes to the overall richness and diversity of the salad, and the combination of these unique elements creates a more complex and flavorful experience.

The salad bowl concept is often used in discussions about multiculturalism and cultural pluralism. It acknowledges and celebrates the presence of diverse cultures within a society, highlighting the idea that individuals can maintain their cultural identities while still contributing to the broader community. This metaphor suggests that the strength of a society lies in its ability to embrace and appreciate the differences among its members, fostering a more inclusive and tolerant environment.

This video is for the understanding of Melting Pot and Salad Bowl Theories.

[Word Count - 2330]

Thank you for Reading and Visiting...