出版社周刊评论
This collection of 21 pieces covers a far broader controversy than that about ``political correctness on campus.'' (Berman, a MacArthur fellow and Tikkun magazine contributing editor, notes that the phrase originated in the 1920s for those communists and fellow travelers who towed the Leninist line.) Most of the pieces focus on the thornier issue of multiculturalism or efforts to ``deconsecrate the Eurocentrism'' (Edward Said) of the ``canon'' of great works studied in the humanities. Almost all of the essays calling for a multicultural curriculum allude to the need for more works by ``people of color'' and women, omitting such white ethnic groups as Italian and Polish Americans and such minority religions as Judaism and Islam. Yet while this volume includes too much superficial polemic and counter-polemic, Berman's excellent introduction is worthwhile, as are Irving Howe's defense of the classical canon and Katha Pollitt's provocative suggestion that the canon question evokes such strong emotions because we all assume that the books read in college are the only books most people will ever read. Enrique Fernandez makes a witty attack on the assumption that writers like Garcia Marquez are ``non-Western.'' (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
《书目》(Booklist)书评
Collecting seminal essays from a very broad range of sources, editor Berman presents the best single-volume introduction to the controversy over political correctness--"P.C." in collegiate parlance--to date. The professors of English who lunge and parry on the front lines of the fray are here joined, on occasion, by their colleagues in history and, more rarely, sociology and political science. But no physicists, no engineers, no mathematicians, and interestingly enough, no business, economics, or philosophy faculty weigh in. The P.C. professors strive to replace the (Western, white, male) canonical curriculum with one that achieves the racial, ethnic, sexual, and other varieties of equality that America resists intransigently in all its extracurricular affairs. The usual conservatives--Dinesh D'Souza, Hilton Kramer, George Will, et al.--along with such odd bedfellows as Edward Said (who never fails to combine integrity with intelligence) and Irving Howe oppose the P.C. crowd. Debating P.C. embraces them all. It may, however, still leave the reader unacquainted with academic politics wondering what the hell all the fury is about. ~--Roland Wulbert
《图书馆杂志》(Library Journal )书评
The 21 speeches and writings in this anthology review political correctness (PC)--an attitude towards multiculturalism in America as expressed in words, actions, and the humanities courses offered at colleges and universities. Definitions and examples of political correctness vary. Violators of PC may be called ``racist.'' The issue: does PC promote human rights, global understanding, respect for people of diverse groups; or does it promote the human rights of some at the expense of freedom of speech and necessary dialog on multicultural issues? This anthology presents PC from many viewpoints and is a ``must read'' for educators, historians, social scientists and commentators, philosophers, lawyers, and judges. Highly recommended.-- Lois F. Roets, Drake Univ., Des Moines (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
