Race and ethnic relations are a topic of intense discussion and debate not only within the United States, but also on the world scene. As race and ethnic issues increase in significance, scholars and the broader citizenry are debating the issue of just what kind of a society the United States should become. In somewhat simplified terms, we find, on the one side, a number of scholars who continue to advocate the ideals of the assimilations perspective, while another group of scholars reason that we should think in terms of some type of multicultural order if the United States is to begin to resolve the problems and issues associated with the tensions that result from racial and ethnic diversity in the nation and in the world. If participation in the democratic process is to be meaningful for all groups in the United States, then we must confront racial...