Transgressing the Borders of "America."

This article introduces literary essays in the issue on America as a concept without borders, noting that ethnic writing or writing by immigrants perceives the U.S. as transnational and multigeographical. The author refers to the cover illustration by Tino Villanueva, "Flashpoints," as a visual depiction of the U.S. as a space for cultural convergence, but of a dominant center, a so-called black hole, that is resistant to change. The essays in the issue are said to explore the border culture of the U.S. while reflecting its ideological and geographic space.