americas

Ronald Takaki's A DIFFERENT MIRROR served as a tremedous journey in understanding how multiculturalism evolved in the United States. Had I been taught in high school and during my early college education, I would not have questioned what multiculturalism meant. Takaki's book definitely opened my eyes.

The book takes the reader through early American history from the Age of Exploration with Christopher Columbus and his encounter with the indigenous people of the Caribbean up to the L.A. riots and its relation to how multiculturalism has had an effect on American society. The unique aspect of the book had been his use of William Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST, and the main ethnic character, Caliban. In a way, Takaki used literature as a backdrop to history in order to present the analogy of the situations and experiences that many immigrants experienced at an attempt to live and survive in a "new world".

Takaki presented a true assessment of American history. There appeared to be no doubt that many immigrants from the pacific to the atlantic experienced much hardship and struggle as a result of Anglo-Saxon dominance that coveted their desire to attain opportunity in the United States. It appears ironic how un-united the U.S. had been during the nineteenth century when a large influx of immigrants arrived to their "Golden Mountain" or to see their "Lady Liberty". They arrived only to be violently attacked and ridiculed because of their culture and traditions. The so-called "melting pot" brewed to a burning point, especially during the Industrial Age.

However, the immigrants' struggles only served to benefit their future. This book should be added to the reading lists of every history class that teaches multiculturalism or a basic college survey history class. Multiculturalism taught in depth does not have to begin at the graduate level. Takaki's examination of multiculturalism does not stop with the publication of this book. The concluding chapter only emphasized that the understanding of multiculturalism continues after reading the book. I'm glad to have read this book because I now understand that there is more to American history besides Thomas Jefferson.

A Different Mirror is just that...a way for the majority culture to see itself. Without placing blame or guilt, Takaki discusses the principal ethnic groups whose roles in history have deeply affected the American experience. This is not to deny the validity of the experiences of other ethnic groups-- each has its unique story to tell. But the invasion of Native America, the enslavement of Africans, the betrayal of Mexicans, and the prejudicial treatment of the other groups mentioned are embedded in our national psyche and have to be exorcised before America as a society can begin to heal and to deal honestly with all of its separate ethnic parts. The "racialization of savagery" and demonizing of ethnic groups are valuable insights about intercultural interaction. A Different Mirror is a required text in my cultural diversity classes, though many students are uncomfortable with some of it, particularly the Mexican American chapters. Making members of the majority culture uncomfortable is part of what makes A Different Mirror effective. We need to be honest about our past so that we can ensure that our future as a multiethnic society makes it possible for all groups to be acknowledged and to contribute to the whole of who America is.

Publishers Weekly called this, "a brilliant revisionist history of America that is likely to become a classic of multicultural studies." I would totally agree if they would have only added the word "biased" to their list of adjectives. This book has a strong anti-Anglo bias from cover to cover. As a history text it offers an extremely limited scope. It is an historical account of how the racist Anglos persecuted all non-Anglos through American history.

That doesn't mean it shouldn't be read. I never give out ***** without reason.

For non-Anglos this book should be read for the comfort it offers. At last someone has found the courage to tell the story of those who came from the margins of society. I am white. My heritage traces predominantly from Native American (Cherokee) and Irish indentured servitude stock. The book was informative concerning my heritage.

For Anglos this book should be read to help remove cultural blinders. Such a book can be threatening, but it has the potential to expand our universes way beyond the scope of monocultural prejudice. Books such as this help us to better understand where our brothers and sisters of other cultures are coming from.

FOR EVERYONE, this book should be read to understand the past, NOT keep alive prejudice for another generation. My prayer is that a day will come when we have the ability to scale the walls of blindness and forgive the offenses of the past. I would like to see a new world when we are neither ruled by bigotry or guilt.