U.S. multiculturalism and the concept of culture

U.S. multiculturalism often relies upon a hegemonic and essentializing conception of culture. This culture concept separates the study of the familiar from the study of the exotic; represents diversity as a set of discrete and homogeneous units ("cultures"); divides and allots history to living persons on the basis of contemporary identities; conflates culture and race; and obscures the mutual shaping of racial distinctions and class relations. As a result, it limits both criticism of established social institutions and the imagination of alternative social orders. Finding related arguments in Lani Guinier's critique of recent efforts to expand minority electoral enfranchisement, we conclude that this essentializing culture concept is not adequate for the task of contesting the majority tyranny that continues to plague U.S. society.

Key words:

• multiculturalism
• race
• class
• culture theory
• U.S.
• history