Overview

In this broad condemnation of multiculturalism, the author works to uncover pernicious errors in the arguments of diversity's proponents and to sound a warning against the dire consequences for American culture if the tenets of political correctness are incorporated into our social structure. Schmidt begins by exposing multiculturalism, not as a movement aimed at expanding democratic ideals, but rather as a crypto-Marxist political ideology that seeks to import Marxist concepts into social and cultural institutions. Subsequent chapters then illuminate a number of dismaying trends: a tendency toward historical revisionism in multiculturalist arguments, the sly linguistic maneuvering and limits on speech that characterize political correctness, and the dismantling of the traditional image of the family unit—the primary building block of American society. Schmidt concludes with a rousing admonition to expel from our midst the latter-day Trojan horse that is multiculturalism. Casting a troubled glance over the list of social ills plaguing America today—besieged inner cities, divisive racial politics, diminishing educational standards, and rampant divorce and illegitimacy—we have cause to wonder whether the advocates of multiculturalism represent the solution or the source of the problem. In this rousing condemnation of the multiculturalist agenda, the author fixes an unflinching critical gaze on the subtle deceptions and wrongheaded conclusions at work in the arguments for cultural pluralism, moral relativism, and political correctness. An exhaustive and damning account of multiculturalism's wages and a compelling argument for the importance of traditional American values make this book essential reading for anyone concerned about our country's present plight and future prospects.

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9780275955984

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Reviews

Academicians are notoriously sensitive litmus paper reactors to current trends. The going mantras in the halls of academe are political correctness, demeaning to many individuals of both genders, affirmative action, condescending to minority citizens of many colors, and multiculturalism, divisive and harmful to America the melting pot, which has prospered gloriously with a philosophy of integration rather than segregation. This volume sounds the tocsin for our land! - Lewis W. Spitz Professor of History William R. Kenan Jr. Professor Emeritus Stanford University

Mr. Schmidt argues that by importing the perspectives of the groups who have traditionally been marginalized in our society, we will destroy all the progress that has made America great. He is right to complain about the tendency of radical educators to playdown the achievements of the groups of whom they disapprove, such as dead white European males, while promoting beyond their ultimate value minor accomplishments of groups whom they favor. -The Wall Street Journal An exhaustive and damning account of multiculturalism's wages and compelling argument for the importance of traditional American values make this book essential reading for anyone concerned about our country's present plight and future prospects. -The Christian News How popular are D'Souza, Bennett, Brimelow, Sowell, and company among your library patrons? If their books fly off the shelf, this...will have appeal. Schmidt distinguishes between multicultural education, of which he approves, and multiculturalism, defined as a neo-Marxist ideology based in cultural relativism. -Booklist In [this book], sociologist Alvin J. Schmidt has produced a powerful critique of multiculturalism and unapologetic defense of an American culture based on free markets, Christianity, natural law, achievement and the melting pot. He argues passionately that behind the terms diversity, tolerance, and sensitivity is a movement now posing a bigger threat to this country from within than Communism ever was from without. -The Freeman In this book , sociologist Alvin J. Schmidt has produced a powerful critique of multiculturalism and unapologetic defense of an American culture based on free markets, Christianity, natural law, achievement and the melting pot. He argues passionately that behind the terms diversity, tolerance, and sensitivity is a movement now posing a bigger threat to this country from within than Communism ever was from without. -The Freeman ?An exhaustive and damning account of multiculturalism's wages and compelling argument for the importance of traditional American values make this book essential reading for anyone concerned about our country's present plight and future prospects.?-The Christian News ?How popular are D'Souza, Bennett, Brimelow, Sowell, and company among your library patrons? If their books fly off the shelf, this...will have appeal. Schmidt distinguishes between multicultural education, of which he approves, and multiculturalism, defined as a neo-Marxist ideology based in cultural relativism.?-Booklist ?In [this book], sociologist Alvin J. Schmidt has produced a powerful critique of multiculturalism and unapologetic defense of an American culture based on free markets, Christianity, natural law, achievement and the melting pot. He argues passionately that behind the terms diversity, tolerance, and sensitivity is a movement now posing a bigger threat to this country from within than Communism ever was from without.?-The Freeman ?Mr. Schmidt argues that by importing the perspectives of the groups who have traditionally been marginalized in our society, we will destroy all the progress that has made America great. He is right to complain about the tendency of radical educators to playdown the achievements of the groups of whom they disapprove, such as dead white European males, while promoting beyond their ultimate value minor accomplishments of groups whom they favor.?-The Wall Street Journal Professor Schmidt has amassed an immense amount of information on the crimes that are committed in the name of multiculturalism, diversity and related doctrines. Because it will make many well-placed enemies among its targets, this is a courageous book, and a useful, if ultimately dismaying, one. -John Silber Chancellor, Boston University This richly sourced work provides a comprehensive treatment of the phenomenon known as multiculturalism. Schmidt is alive to the ideological predispositions of the multiculturalists, and he details how much of what masquerades as multiculturalism is simply a thinly disguised assault on traditional American institutions and values. - Steve Balch President, National Association of Scholars Schmidt is concerned with more than saving a generation of American students from ignorance and delusion about their own culture and that of others. His stakes are even higher, because he knows that ideas have consequences, and he recognizes that, taken to its extreme, multiculturalism threatens to weaken legitimate American institutions, indeed the very mediating institutions of church and family that are the best hope for a confused nation to recover its moral and civic moorings. - From the Foreword by Dinesh D'Souza Professor Schmidt has compiled an absolutely stunning expose of the deceit, dishonesty and fraud being promoted and practiced under the names of multiculturalism, diversity and sensitivity. It's a must-have book for parents, teachers, students and others concerned about the social dynamite created by the 60s flower children who have made their ways into positions of power as school administrators, deans, teachers and government bureaucrats. -Walter E. Williams Chairman & John M. Olin Distinguished Professor of Economics George Mason University Academicians are notoriously sensitive litmus paper reactors to current trends. The going mantras in the halls of academe are political correctness, demeaning to many individuals of both genders, affirmative action, condescending to minority citizens of many colors, and multiculturalism, divisive and harmful to America the melting pot, which has prospered gloriously with a philosophy of integration rather than segregation. This volume sounds the tocsin for our land! - Lewis W. Spitz Professor of History William R. Kenan Jr. Professor Emeritus Stanford University

Author Information

ALVIN J. SCHMIDT is Professor of Sociology at Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL. A former Canadian, he is the author of numerous articles and several books, including Veiled and Silenced: How Culture Shaped Sexist Theology (1989) and Fraternal Organizations (1980) and served as consulting editor for Dictionary of Cults, Sects, and Religions of the Occult (1993).

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