Culture and Difference: Critical Perspectives on the Bicultural Experience in the United States

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The yearning to remember who we are is not easily detected in the qualitative dimensions of focus groups and ethnographic research methods; nor is it easily measured in standard quantified scientific inquiry. It is deeply rooted, obscured by layer upon layer of human efforts to survive the impact of historical amnesia induced by the dominant policies and practices of advanced capitalism and postmodern culture. Darder's introduction sets the tone by describing the formation of "Warriors for Gringostroika" and "The New Mestizas". In the words of Anzaldua, "those who cross over, pass over ...the confines of the `normal'". Critical essays follow by Mexicanas, poets, activists and educators of all colours and persuasions. The collection coming out of the good work of the Southern California University system relates to all locales and spectrums of the human condition and should inspire creativity of knowing and remembering among all who chance to read any part thereof.

Reviews

"A powerful collection of essays, superbly edited, and passionately connected to some of the most urgent and important social theory available. Its impressive ability to expand and rethink the terrain of bilingual/bicultural education makes this volume a valuable contribution to the critical tradition. It is a book that needs to be engaged by a wide readership, especially given the current political assault on multiculturalism and identity politics and the war that Anglo cultures are currently waging against Latino/a populations, African-Americans, and other peoples of color across the United States. I recommend this collection as required reading by educators and cultural workers who wish to advance the struggle for liberation and social justice in our schools, universities, and communities."-Peter McLaren, Associate Professor Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, UCLA

Author Bio

ANTONIA DARDER is Associate Professor of Education at the Claremont Graduate School, and is the author of Culture and Power in the Classroom: A Critical Foundation for Bicultural Education (Bergin & Garvey, 1991).