American Exceptionalism and the Remains of Race

Multicultural Exorcisms

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book American Exceptionalism and the Remains of Race by Edmund Fong, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Edmund Fong ISBN: 9781317642787
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: July 11, 2014
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Edmund Fong
ISBN: 9781317642787
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: July 11, 2014
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

In contemporary American political culture, claims of American exceptionalism and anxieties over its prospects have resurged as an overarching theme in national political discourse. Yet never very far from such debates lie animating fears associated with race. Fears about the loss of national unity and trust often draw attention to looming changes in the racial demographics of the body politic. Lost amid these debates are often the more complex legacies of racial hybridity. Anxieties over the disintegration of the fabric of American national identity likewise forget not just how they echo past fears of subversive racial and cultural difference, but also exorcise as well the changing nature of work and social interaction.

Edmund Fong’s book examines the rise and resurgence of contemporary forms of American exceptionalism as they have emerged out of contentious debates over cultural pluralism and multicultural diversity in the past two decades. For a brief time, serious considerations of the force of multiculturalism entered into a variety of philosophical and policy debates. But in the American context, these debates often led to a reaffirmation of some variant of American exceptionalism with the consequent exorcism of race within the avowed norms and policy goals of American politics. Fong explores how this "multicultural exorcism" revitalizing American exceptionalism is not simply a novel feature of our contemporary political moment, but is instead a recurrent dynamic across the history of American political discourse.

By situating contemporary discourse on cultural pluralism within the larger frame of American history, this book yields insight into the production of hegemonic forms of American exceptionalism and how race continues to haunt the contours of American national identity.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In contemporary American political culture, claims of American exceptionalism and anxieties over its prospects have resurged as an overarching theme in national political discourse. Yet never very far from such debates lie animating fears associated with race. Fears about the loss of national unity and trust often draw attention to looming changes in the racial demographics of the body politic. Lost amid these debates are often the more complex legacies of racial hybridity. Anxieties over the disintegration of the fabric of American national identity likewise forget not just how they echo past fears of subversive racial and cultural difference, but also exorcise as well the changing nature of work and social interaction.

Edmund Fong’s book examines the rise and resurgence of contemporary forms of American exceptionalism as they have emerged out of contentious debates over cultural pluralism and multicultural diversity in the past two decades. For a brief time, serious considerations of the force of multiculturalism entered into a variety of philosophical and policy debates. But in the American context, these debates often led to a reaffirmation of some variant of American exceptionalism with the consequent exorcism of race within the avowed norms and policy goals of American politics. Fong explores how this "multicultural exorcism" revitalizing American exceptionalism is not simply a novel feature of our contemporary political moment, but is instead a recurrent dynamic across the history of American political discourse.

By situating contemporary discourse on cultural pluralism within the larger frame of American history, this book yields insight into the production of hegemonic forms of American exceptionalism and how race continues to haunt the contours of American national identity.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Boys and Their Schooling by Edmund Fong
Cover of the book The Psychoanalysis of Overcoming Suffering by Edmund Fong
Cover of the book Changing Roles in Natural Forest Management: Stakeholders' Role in the Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania by Edmund Fong
Cover of the book The Discipline of Religion by Edmund Fong
Cover of the book Science Learning and Inquiry with Technology by Edmund Fong
Cover of the book Adverbs and Modality in English by Edmund Fong
Cover of the book The Myth of Persephone in Girls' Fantasy Literature by Edmund Fong
Cover of the book Comparing Asian Politics by Edmund Fong
Cover of the book Reflective Learning for Social Work by Edmund Fong
Cover of the book Reality TV by Edmund Fong
Cover of the book Plato's Meno In Focus by Edmund Fong
Cover of the book Ethical Issues in Communication Professions by Edmund Fong
Cover of the book A Wider Patriotism by Edmund Fong
Cover of the book Change, Strategy and Projects at Work by Edmund Fong
Cover of the book Language Exploration and Awareness by Edmund Fong
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy