The M and Q Words

Regarding your stories on multiculturalism (“Fear of the M Word,” by Jan Breslauer, and “Criticism, New Aesthetics and the Q (for Quality) Word,” by Sean Mitchell (June 2):

You make solid points, but there are other aspects to multiculturalism. One reason why L.A. may have an easier time dealing with this important concept than New York is the fact that African-Americans are the third-largest national minority in this region and the largest in the East.

Hence, in the traditional U.S. pattern, multiculturalism in the East is painted with a black face, which allows it to be more readily dismissed by those taking advantage of centuries of anti-black racism. (Similarly, the Civil Rights Act of 1991 is portrayed as a black bill, when in fact a major loser if it is not passed will be white women.)

Understandably, the East is more influenced by Eurocentrism as a result of geography, if nothing else. California faces the Pacific and is more aware of the fact that, for example, nine of the top 10 banks in the world today are based in Japan. Economic hegemony has been the guarantor for cultural hegemony. With the baton in the capitalist world passing inexorably from New York to Tokyo, it makes simple sense to pay attention to Kabuki as well as opera. He who pays the piper gets to call the tune.

Quite frankly, until New York comes to grip with its heightened anti-black racism and acknowledges the devolution of “white supremacy,” while recognizing that U.S. financial domination no longer obtains, the importance of multiculturalism will be distorted and the entire nation will be the loser.

GERALD HORNE

Professor and Chairman

Department of Black Studies

UC Santa Barbara