Becky Kospanova – The United States is a country of immigrants. From the original 115 English settlers that arrived on Roanoke Island in what is known today as North Carolina in August of 1587.
From then until now, people have been arriving to the America the New World at a steady rate in search of better life and opportunities. While most people who traveled too America early on were of European descent, over time, the ethnic map of America has changed considerably. From the predominantly white Anglo-Saxon country, the USA is moving towards a Nation, which is exceedingly diverse, both ethnically and culturally.
The 2012 election has proven that point clearly and unmistakably. While both governor Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama ran organized and persuasive campaigns, President Obama has ultimately secured his victory by demonstrating better understanding of changing demographics of the country. As such, he was able to acquire the majority of Hispanic, African American and Asian American votes; in fact, Pew Research Center has calculated that Barack Obama received 80% of their votes. Alternatively, many political analysts argue that the biggest mistake of Romney’s campaign was its lack of appeal to these segments of population and its preferential treatment of issues important to predominantly white and wealthy sector.
What is today’s America from an ethnic point of view? According to latest numbers, Hispanic population constitutes 17% of American population, Asian population comprises 5 %, black population amounts to about 13 %, and white Non-Hispanic population makes up 63 % of total population (the remaining percentage refers to people of two or more races). The numbers will change even further over time; according to Pew Research Center, by 2050, white Non-Hispanic population will decrease to about 50 % or less, while Hispanic share will grow to 29 %, Asian to 9%, African American population will increase just slightly over current number of 13 %, and people of two or more races will constitute about 3.7 %. For the first time in American history, white population will not constitute a majority.
How does the changing face of American nation affect and will affect the climate in the country? Undeniably, there is a plethora of positive things, which stem from the influx of people from different nations and cultures into the country.
We are exposed to the traditions and customs of other cultures, which enables us to experience the world to the fullest in the comfort of our homes. We can taste different cuisines and really appreciate the diversity of food and culinary talents from different parts of the world. We can learn practically any language from native speakers without leaving the country, which unquestionably broadens anyone’s horizons. Our children are familiar from birth with people from other cultures and, hopefully, will never demonstrate or experience racial prejudices.
However, not everything is going well. There is still racism and discrimination which is aimed at various ethnic groups at various levels, be it work environment or neighborhoods. There are still preconceptions about people from other cultures, which are not true and offensive. There are still unresolved issues in regard to immigration laws and growing wealth gap between the haves and have-nots, which often depends on ethnic backgrounds.
The only way to gradually eliminate these complex problems is to educate people, keep an open mind, and realize that modern world is a global community and always changing.
