We need new stories : the myths that subvert freedom
Nesrine Malik
- First American edition.
- New York, NY W. W. Norton & Company 2021
- 218 pages 22 cm
Originally published in Great Britain in 2019.
Includes bibliographical references (pages [197]-218).
The Myth of the Reliable Narrator -- The Myth of a Political Correctness Crisis -- The Myth of the Free Speech Crisis -- The Myth of Harmful Identity Politics -- The Myth of National Exceptionalism -- The Myth of Gender Equality.
"A rigorous examination of six political myths used to deflect and discredit demands for social justice. In 2016, presidential candidate Donald Trump declared: "I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct." Reeling from his victory, Democrats blamed the corrosive effect of "identity politics." When banned from Twitter for inciting violence, Trump and his supporters claimed that the measure was an assault on "free speech." In We Need New Stories, Nesrine Malik explains that all of these arguments are political myths--variations on the lie that American values are under assault. Exploring how these and other common political myths function, she breaks down how they are employed to subvert calls for equality from historically disenfranchised groups. Interweaving reportage with an incendiary analysis of American history and politics, she offers a compelling account of how calls to preserve "free speech" are used against the vulnerable; how a fixation with "wokeness," "political correctness," and "cancel culture" is in fact an organized and well-funded campaign by elites; and how the fear of racial minorities and their "identity politics" obscures the biggest threat of all--white terrorism. What emerges is a radical framework for understanding the crises roiling American contemporary politics"--
9781324007296 132400729X
40030620490
2021008849
2000-2099
Social values--United States. Social justice--United States. Political culture--United States. Democracy--United States. Social Science--Race & Ethnic Relations Political Science--Commentary & Opinion Social Science--Feminism & Feminist Theory Social values--United States. Social justice--United States. Political culture--United States. Democracy--United States. Democracy Politics and government Social conditions Social justice Social values
United States--Social conditions--21st century. United States--Politics and government--21st century.