The Disuniting of America: Reflections on a Multicultural Society (Revised and Enlarged Edition)

Schlessinger's wonderfully argued "Disuniting of America" should stand as the "Common Sense" of our period.

While Thomas Paine argued the reasons why America should not be oppressed by monarchial tyranny, Schlessinger adroitly exposes the tyranny of today's multiculturalists. This little book discusses the movement in America to disaggregate our nation into ethnic and gender subgroups. It argues, persuasively in my mind, how this movement is dangerous and has the potential to subvert the mentality that has allowed America to reconcile itself to being a nation composed of others more successfully than any other polygot nation in history.

America has not achieved the transformation from ethnic peoples to an American people equally for all our citizens throughout much of our history. However, it is unarguable that the attempt to allow anyone to assume the mantle "American" simply by embracing our national ideals and identity has been a success and is an important component of the moral strenth of our country.

Schlessinger's book is very readible. Using historical analysis and logic, he renders an excellent case against the excesses of the multiculturalist movement and in favor of "Americanism" and a national identity (however one chooses to define it).

If there is one book that elected officials and school officials should read, this would be my choice.

Today Mr. Schlesinger appears to be a conservative vs. the liberal he actually was when writing the book.

For people over 50, you will recognize America as it was. For younger folks, this will give you an idea of the very rapid changes this country has experienced.

The country was at one time like a rich stew, and now has become a bunch of individual plates of foods or ingredients that don't even want to touch each other. Each ingredient yells out how important it is, and not realizing that carrots alone, wonderful as they may be, have not reached the potential they can when mixed with potatoes, meat, tomatoes, spices and lovingly blended into that rich stew.

Hopefully people will read and understand that the individual ethnic groups need recognition. But, they need to be Americans first, and their ethnic background as second. For example, American-Asian instead of
Asian-American. The ethnocentricism is tearing the country apart, weakening us to invasions of many types.

This book brings these ideas to mind and will make you think and reflect.

Schlesinger served the Kennedy administration, heavily involved in advancing Civil Rights. Any memory of pre-1960s America justifies his passion. Even lynching of Blacks was not illegal until Truman made it so in 1948 and images of fire hose and German Shepard attacks on peaceful Black protestors or their White supporters remains a stark memory. His book, however, is an alert to those of reason regardless of affiliation that the movement has run off its tracks. But that hasn't stopped its wreckage from continuing to plow a path of ruin through its original intent. As Schlesinger puts it, "A culture of ethnicity has arisen to denounce the idea of a melting pot, to protect and perpetuate separate ethnic and racial communities." Its underlying philosophy is that America is not a nation of individuals but a nation of groups, he says; ethnicity is the defining experience; division into ethnic communities establishes the structure of American society and the fundamental meaning of American history. "Multiethnic dogma abandons historic purposes, replacing assimilation by fragmentation, integration by separation." Our modern movements succeed where the Klan failed.

Referencing multiculturalism he asks if it is the school's function to teach racial pride? When does obsession with difference threaten identity? Since this 1993 book this obsession has become an educational standard. Our calendar is split into months for one race pride or another (except white and European). It starts early - believing the purpose of history is therapeutic. He notes, "Once ethnic pride and self-esteem become the criterion for teaching history then certain things cannot be taught." Schlesinger asks the question, "Why does anyone suppose that pride and inspiration are available only from people of the same ethnicity?" One wonders.

Schlesinger's core warning is the same as that of the Founders, that "the virus of tribalism lies dormant, flaring up to destroy entire nations." But that has not stopped the derailment of Civil Rights. As Schlesinger notes, Black America's valid leaders - like so much from the Left that began for the right reasons - have been hijacked for the benefits of opposition, not unification.

This book is one of the most compelling reads of non-fiction I have ever come across. Without a doubt, this is one of few books I found of real use in college, and I continue to read and reflect upon it to this day. In fact, I would call this book essential for any social studies curriculum.

Arthur Schlesinger takes the issues of a new PC nation and puts them into real perspective. He is both pro-culture and pro-heritage, but he stands against the idea that cultural identity means a seperation of the American People. Taking on a myriad of topics, Schlesinger explains with great simplicity, straight-forwardness, and honesty how multi-culturalism can be taken too far, taken to absurd conclusions. Essentially, Schlesinger is letting us know that not everything is best when it is presented through the eyes of multi-culturalism.

I read the book in a single sitting. Once I started to read, I was drawn in more and more. Even if you don't agree with his premise, Schlesinger writes in such a way that there is no ambiguity to what he is saying. Knowing Schlesinger's politics for some may make this all the more shocking, but I have to ask those who oppose the message of this book whether they are upset that he is saying these things in general, or if they are upset because a "liberal" is saying these things.

In my opinion this book is of critical importance to understand the second half of the 20th century in America.

The Schlesinger book goes deeper than "Alien Nation" by Peter Brimelow. It was fascinating to read the "liberal" perspective on this subject, since it is the liberal press who has lectured us on the glories of diversity for over 20 years now.... After nearly two years of working in southern California -- (I couldnt wait to return to Western Civilization: in my case, New York) -- I think multiculturalism is a complete disaster. Call it Bosnia Lite, at least for now.... Schlesinger chronicles the Balkanization of America with surprising candor.