What is “brown†in—and beyond—the context of American identity politics? How has the concept changed since 9/11? In the most sustained examination of these questions to date; Kumarini Silva argues that “brown†is no longer conceived of solely as a cultural; ethnic; or political identity. Instead; after 9/11; the Patriot Act; and the wars in Iran; Iraq; and Afghanistan; it has also become a concept and; indeed; a strategy of identification—one rooted in xenophobic; imperialistic; and racist ideologies to target those who do not neatly fit or subscribe to ideas of nationhood. Interweaving personal narratives; ethnographic research; analyses of popular events like the Miss America pageant; and films and TV shows such as the Harold and Kumar franchise and Black-ish; Silva maps junctures where the ideological; political; and mediated terrain intersect; resulting in an appetite for all things “brown†(especially South Asian brown) by U.S. consumers; while political and nationalist discourses and legal structures (immigration; emigration; migration; outsourcing; incarceration) conspire to control brown bodies both within and outside the United States. Silva explores this contradictory relationship between representation and reality; arguing that the representation mediates and manages the anxieties that come from contemporary global realities; in which brown spaces; like India; Pakistan; and the Middle East pose key economic; security; and political challenges to the United States. While racism is hardly new; what makes this iteration of brown new is that anyone or any group; at any time; can be branded as deviant; as a threat.
#1675469 in Books Vetters Kurt M 2012-07-12Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .41 x 6.00l; .55 #File Name: 1512113328180 pagesConfederate Winter
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Couldn't put downBy WES TRUITTAfter receiving my copy of Confederate Winter it sat on my desk at home waiting for me to pick up and read for about a month. For the record; since college; I probably could count the books I have read on one hand; so I would not consider myself an avid reader of books. I have a small library of books at home in my office and although they look good sitting there; they are seldom read. I spend much of my spare time researching my family's history online; in courthouses; libraries and graveyards though out the south and knowing this book was based on a real person during the Civil War; I wanted to be able to read the book from cover to cover without putting it down. While at the beach and under an umbrella I began to read about the journey of William Sweeney. I felt as though I was there with him as he journeyed through obstacles he faced and challenges put in from of him to over come during that winter of 1864. The places he went were the same places my family had lived during the war and it made me wonder did they incur the same types of misfortunes as those in the story did. Confederate Winter covers life lessons we all could learn from in regards to family; relationships within the family friends and society. Confederate Winter was hard to put down because I constantly wanted to know what happened next. The book kept my interest up and not once did I get bored as to where the author was taking me and always looked forward to where or what was going to happen to William next. Would recommend Confederate Winter to not only Civil War buffs; but to students as well; because there are lessons in this book for all of us to learn. Would love to see this story on the big screen; so maybe some of you aspiring film majors could make it happen.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Wonderful Historic Book of Personalized StrugglesBy C. SpielmanThis is a very enjoyable book that traces Kurt’s great-great-great Grandfather’s struggle during the late stages of the Civil War when the South faced the possibility of defeat. Kurt blends history with some; acknowledged; stretching of the truth to make an enjoyable and entertaining tale of the war. He details the battles of Franklin and Nashville in a manner that helps you both understand the struggles of a declining army and the difficulty soldiers faced. If you are a Civil War buff who is interested in history that makes the war personal or simply someone who enjoys a historic piece that is entertaining and enlightening this is a good book for you. This book is an easy-read and relatively short so it is a great book for teens interested in studying the history of one of our most difficult conflicts. Kurt does a wonderful job of telling the story in a manner that will keep the reader fascinated with how his ancestor’s stories unfold and the struggles they faced during the latter days of the war.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Nail bitter and cliff hanger...By CustomerAlmost from the first page; I was hooked! Being also from the South; this novel about a portion of the Civil War; near the end; brought back a lot of memories of stories that I grew up with. While the main character is; in fact; a real person; the other characters are just as believable. The Confederate Soldiers did not have it easy and so very many never returned home; just as in the book. While Mr. Vetters' family reigns from the Alabama area; mine was from Georgia. Brother being pitted against brother; or in this case; father against son; is only the tip of the iceberg of the drama that surrounded so many families during the Civil War. Perhaps with a little nudge; we might encourage Mr. Vetters to pick up where this book ended; and learn about Williams' life after the war. Well done and well written Kurt. I seriously could not stop reading until the last page. Now I want to know more. Perhaps your ancestors and mine may have crossed each others' lives; at some point. Thank you for such a well written account.
