Title
Our America: Nativism, Modernism, And Pluralism (Postcontemporary Interventions)
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Arguing That The Contemporary Commitment To The Importance Of Cultural Identity Has Renovated Rather Than Replaced An Earlier Commitment To Racial Identity, Walter Benn Michaels Asserts That The Idea Of Culture, Far From Constituting A Challenge To Racism, Is Actually A Form Of Racism. Our America Offers Both A Provocative Reinterpretation Of The Role Of Identity In Modernism And A Sustained Critique Of The Role Of Identity In Postmodernism.We Have A Great Desire To Be Supremely American, Calvin Coolidge Wrote In 1924. That Desire, Michaels Tells Us, Is At The Very Heart Of American Modernism, Giving Form And Substance To A Cultural Movement That Would In Turn Redefine Americas Cultural And Collective Identityultimately Along Racial Lines. A Provocative Reinterpretation Of American Modernism, Our America Also Offers A New Way Of Understanding Current Debates Over The Meaning Of Race, Identity, Multiculturalism, And Pluralism.Michaels Contends That The Aesthetic Movement Of Modernism And The Social Movement Of Nativism Came Together In The 1920S In Their Commitment To Resolve The Meaning Of Identitylinguistic, National, Cultural, And Racial. Just As The Johnson Immigration Act Of 1924, Which Excluded Aliens, And The Indian Citizenship Act Of The Same Year, Which Honored The Truly Native, Reconceptualized National Identity, So The Major Texts Of American Writers Such As Cather, Faulkner, Hurston, And Williams Reinvented Identity As An Object Of Pathossomething That Can Be Lost Or Found, Defended Or Betrayed. Our America Is Both A History And A Critique Of This Invention, Tracing Its Development From The White Supremacism Of The Progressive Period Through The Cultural Pluralism Of The Twenties. Michaelss Sustained Rereading Of The Texts Of The Periodthe Canonical, The Popular, And The Less Familiarexposes Recurring Concerns Such As The Reconception Of The Image Of The Indian As A Symbol Of Racial Purity And National Origins, The Relation Between World War I And Race, Contradictory Appeals To The Family As A Model For The Nation, And Anxieties About Reproduction That Subliminally Tie Whiteness And National Identity To Incest, Sterility, And Impotence.
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Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
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Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the main theme of 'Our America' by Walter Benn Michaels? A: The main theme of 'Our America' revolves around the relationship between cultural identity and racial identity, arguing that the contemporary focus on cultural identity has not displaced but rather reinforced earlier notions of racial identity.
- Q: How does Walter Benn Michaels connect modernism and nativism in this book? A: Michaels connects modernism and nativism by illustrating how both movements in the 1920s sought to redefine identity—whether linguistic, national, or racial—highlighting their intertwined roles in shaping American cultural discourse.
- Q: What does the author suggest about the role of identity in modernism? A: The author suggests that identity plays a central role in modernism, shaping cultural movements and reflecting desires to define what it means to be American, often along racial lines.
- Q: Can you summarize the critique of identity in postmodernism presented in the book? A: In his critique of postmodernism, Michaels argues that the emphasis on identity can perpetuate racism rather than challenge it, questioning the efficacy of multiculturalism and pluralism in addressing racial issues.
- Q: What historical context does Michaels provide in 'Our America'? A: Michaels provides historical context by discussing the Progressive era's white supremacism and the cultural pluralism of the 1920s, linking these to broader changes in American identity and societal norms.
- Q: Who are some of the American writers discussed in 'Our America'? A: The book discusses major texts from American writers such as Willa Cather, William Faulkner, Zora Neale Hurston, and Tennessee Williams, examining how their works contribute to discussions of identity.
- Q: What publication details should I know about 'Our America'? A: 'Our America' was published on July 14, 1997, and is available in a paperback binding with a total of 200 pages.
- Q: Is 'Our America' suitable for academic study? A: Yes, 'Our America' is suitable for academic study, offering a critical examination of identity that is relevant for courses in American literature, cultural studies, and race relations.
- Q: What condition is the book in when purchased? A: The book is available in 'New' condition, ensuring that it is in pristine condition for readers.
- Q: What unique perspectives does Michaels offer in this book? A: Michaels offers unique perspectives by reinterpreting American modernism and critiquing how identity has been constructed and represented, challenging readers to reconsider their understanding of race and culture.