Principles and Heresies

In 1963 Nathan Glazer and Daniel P. Moynihan published a study of New York City called Beyond the Melting Pot. In it they maintained that, contrary to American myth and sociological expectation, second and third generation Americans were not merging into an undifferentiated homogeneous population, but ethnic groups were retaining great social and political significance.

This month Glazer and Moynihan have issued a second edition of their book (MIT, $10.00/$1.95) with a new 95-page introduction, “New York City in 1970.” That introduction represents a most significant volte face on a crucial point. In the original book, the Negroes of New York City were presented as but another rising ethnic group—with many differences, it is true, but substantially similar to those that have preceded them in New York’s long history of absorption of ethnic groups in a broadening unity with diversity. Today, they write: “Race has exploded to swallow up all other distinctions . .

FS

About the Author

Frank S. Meyer

Frank S. Meyer was a senior editor of National Review.

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In 1963 Nathan Glazer and Daniel P. Moynihan published a study of New York City called Beyond the Melting Pot. In it they maintained that, contrary to American myth and sociological expectation, second and third generation Americans were not merging into an undifferentiated homogeneous population, but ethnic groups were retaining great social and political significance.

This month Glazer and Moynihan have issued a second edition of their book (MIT, $10.00/$1.95) with a new 95-page introduction, “New York City in 1970.” That introduction represents a most significant volte face on a crucial point. In the original book, the Negroes of New York City were presented as but another rising ethnic group—with many differences, it is true, but substantially similar to those that have preceded them in New York’s long history of absorption of ethnic groups in a broadening unity with diversity. Today, they write: “Race has exploded to swallow up all other distinctions . .