Customer Reviews

The Ethnic Myth

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2 star:		(1)
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This is a fascinating book. It explains the historical experiences of specific ethnic groups, shedding light on the truth, and smashing stereotypes along the way. Truly enlightening.

Well wrritten, incisive and designed to make the reader critically think about this issue. I recommend this book to all who are working toward cultural competency.

I like the perspective the author shares. It unveils the real problem behind persistent division in classes and races. The chapters are well developed arguments covering different angles of the problem. I recommend this book. It is a good study.

This is a highly readable, groundbreaking book that exposes the shallowness of many of the ethnic stereotypes we still hold in America. The core of the book critiques what Steinberg calls "the Horatio Alger myth of ethnic success" which argues that the success (or lack thereof) of ethnic groups in America is the result of cultural values. Horatio Alger was a popular author who wrote books in which the heroes overcame adversity with hard-work, common sense, and determination, i.e. middle class values. American society praises certain ethnic groups as "ethnic heroes" because it is claimed that they overcame so much and achieved success by virtue of having more American, middle-class values than other cultures.

Values-based stereotypes include "Jewish people are successful because they value education" or "Japanese-Americans are hard-working and determined, and this is why they are successful". There is no debate that some ethnic groups have been more successful than others or were successful sooner than others, but Steinberg argues (and in my opinion, proves) that these differences in outcome arose from differences in circumstances both before and after they came to America, not differences in cultural values.

First, Steinberg gives a thorough history of how America came to be so ethnically diverse (it's not because the American founders valued pluralism and equality for diverse peoples, though this is the myth we tell ourselves). Next, he demonstrates just how pervasive the "cultural values = success" trope is amongst social scientists, journalists, historians, politicians, and regular Americans. He debunks this myth by using primary sources and statistical analysis to demonstrate that groups differed in circumstances (not values) which led to different economic outcomes. For example, Irish female immigrants were more likely to become maids, not because they lacked the pride that prevented Italians and Jews from serving others, but because they were more likely to be single and had to provide for themselves. He also provides a devastating account of how the North and South colluded during the post-Civil War period to keep blacks living in near-slavery conditions and prevent their economic advancement.

Steinberg also exposes the reason why we hold onto the ethnic myth: so we can have ethnic heroes to validate our disdain for the unsuccessful ethnic villains (African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, etc). We want to believe that anyone can achieve the American Dream, but we fail to understand why so many did not and still cannot.

A great book by Sociologist Stephen Steinberg. The author combines Elegant Writing With a powerful analysis of a major contemporary problem. This indepth investigation of the economic and historical factors affecting various American minority groups also provides fresh insight into why some American immigrants succeed and others fail.I will definately reccomend this book.

I had to read this book for a class I was taking on racial and cultural minorities. I think Steinberg makes a few good points but watch out for opinion related text.

Forget about social science. Why do I have cystic fibrosis? Why does she have sickle cell anemia? Why does he have Tay sachs? Therein lies the answer.