Booklist Review

The purpose of this huge anthology of speeches is to bring forward the rich array of African, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American voices in our history. Comprising 230 speeches by 130 persons, dating from 1790 to the present, the collection enables the larger society to hear the voices of people who should be recognized beyond their ethnic communities. The editor called on an advisory committee to recommend people to include, and drew from tapes, transcripts, out-of-print anthologies, and other print sources for their speeches. A number of the speakers submitted their own transcripts, resulting in the first publication in this work. Many of the early speeches were recalled by a listener and rephrased in an anthology. The book's introductory sections are helpful--two-page essays by specialists on the oratorical traditions within each of the four ethnic groups, an alphabetical list of the speechmakers, an ethnicity index delineating the speakers' backgrounds more specifically (e.g., Cuban American, Omaha Tribe), a subject index to locate topics (Bilingualism, Environmental Issues, Youth Violence, etc.), and a 10-page time line, with the speakers noted in boldface, to provide the context for the diverse voices represented. The entries are arranged in one alphabet by name, each beginning with an approximately two-page biographical sketch. The historical context of the speech and the specific occasion provide perspective. Following the speech, which is usually presented in its entirety, a brief paragraph describes its aftermath. Information on audience reaction or the comments of others is sometimes provided. A portrait of the person is usually included. Where there is more than one speech by a person, the arrangement is chronological. Sources for additional information on the person and occasionally on the speech conclude the entry. A 29-page keyword index makes accessible other persons and subjects covered in the speeches or accompanying descriptive information. The book represents a remarkably diverse range of political and social viewpoints and is current through May_ 1995. The two entries on bilingualism are by Hispanic Americans opposed to it; an Asian American writer speaks eloquently on her lesbianism; an African American journalist denounces a black audience for the money it sends out of the community; and a nineteenth-century Native American chief, defeated by the U.S., laments the fate of his people whose hearts are being poisoned so they will become like white men. Many of the people in this anthology are well known (Arthur Ashe, Henry Cisneros, Chief Seattle, Bette Bao Lord), but some will be unknown to most Americans. While Louis Farrakhan is not included, the Muslim philosophy and black nationalism are represented by speeches by Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X. Voices of Multicultural America will be useful in secondary, public, and academic libraries. (Reviewed Feb. 15, 1996)