ABSTRACT
The Introduction to Diversity in the United States tells readers why the book was written and why it’s worth reading. The work tracks the fascinating journey of diversity in the United States, adding an important piece to our literary and scholarly landscape. The work is situated within the literature related to both multiculturalism and cultural pluralism, showing how diversity has served as a key indicator of the nation’s values at different points in time. It becomes clear that diversity, much like how the United States as a whole, has taken on quite an array of meanings based on fluctuating social, economic, and political conditions.
Diversity in the United States represents an important and timely endeavor. A myriad of issues related to race, ethnicity, and religion are in the news every day, and deservedly so, as we confront inequities predicated on cultural heritage that are woven into the fabric of everyday life in this country. Locating diversity in historical context can do much to bring the much-needed perspective into what is a passionate theme in contemporary society.
