The Consequences of America’s Growth on Minorities

How has the growth of America as a nation, in and outside its own borders, had long-term consequences for minorities—racial and ethnic? America’s growth has resulted in racial and ethnic diversity as minority groups are no longer confined to the country’s big cities. As a result, the population of these communities is being transformed throughout the nation where their share is increasing rapidly and irreversibly, impacting the country’s social cohesion, education, economy and other crucial parts of American life[1]. This increase in minority population is not only in urban America but is also evident in rural areas. Since 1990, America’s rural areas have experienced an increase in diversity among the minority community, especially Asians and Latinos who have occupied every region in the country. Also, the country’s growth and economic development have made some communities to change more than others. However, despite these differences, there is a common trend where the racial-ethnic composition of a particular region is changing to a multi group mix, comprising of a combination of African Americans, whites, Asians and Latinos, from a white dominance.

America’s international growth is attracting more immigrants to the United States where the shares of Hispanics and Asians are increasing each day[2]. International migration is also contributing to the spread of diversity across the country’s communities. These immigrants are moving to America in search of better fortunes as they think the country has unlimited resources given its growth, both domestically and internationally[3]. Other reasons that bring more immigrants include to escape poverty, practice their religion freely, to make life better for them and their children and also in search of employment opportunities. All these reasons are attributed to the fact that, America has not only grown to be an economic powerhouse but as a democracy as well.

The impact of America’s growth on minority communities

The growth of America is also making minorities to continue to fight for equality, thereby influencing the government as well as their white counterparts. Given the fact that the country has grown a lot of growth especially in terms of democracy, the minority communities keep fighting for fair treatment when it comes to situations such as dealing with the police, in the workplace, when voting or even in stores and restaurants. Therefore, the fact that even the whites are joining the minorities in their fight for equal rights shows that the country has matured democratically, even though there is more that needs to be done for all Americans to have equal rights.

America’s growth has also resulted to material success among the minorities especially African Americans, given that a third of black Americans can be described as a middle class compared to a half of white which is an astonishing, probably unprecedented historical change since the 1960s. Today, a greater disparity exists between the bottom fifth and the top fifth of black Americans, with regard to education, income, victimization by violence, participation in electoral politics and occupational status, more than between bottom and top fifths of the whites.

Was it possible for minorities to change their status in society?

It is still possible for the minorities to change their status in the society if they ignore the propaganda that is aimed at brainwashing them through convincing them they cannot do anything of significance as compared to the whites[4]. This is due to the fact that most of the marginal communities not only feel that they are the minority but an insignificant minority as well. In other words, the minorities must not only comprehend their abilities by resisting everything negative that was drilled into them from their childhood but should also revolutionize their thinking. Also, the minority leadership should free themselves from the capitalist class’ promulgated ideas that discourage the minority from taking genuine steps in leadership that are independent of those of the white Americans.

Additionally, the possibility of the minority communities in America to change their status in the society could be made possible by the whites through encouraging and promoting both practically and theoretically the dynamics and potential of the racial and ethnic communities by joining their fight for equality. The minority groups should also start involving their children in fighting against discrimination at a young age so that they can be conscious of ethnic and racial differences, and also to help them understand that discrimination and prejudice against them can influence them in a negative.

The minority communities can change their status in the society if they expose the inaccuracies of the myths that encourages and sustains prejudices and stereotypes because many sources of pf their problems are based on misinformation and myths[5]. If distortion and mythologies are confronted in the right manner, the justification for prejudice can be undermined, hence reducing discrimination.

The possibility of the minority changing their status will mostly depend on whether or not they are part of the potentially most powerful and productive force in the modern world, and whether they can take advantage of the societal crisis to do better for them to solidify their position within the American society. Another way the minority can change their status in the society is by radicalizing and educating American people by merely continuing to fight for their democratic rights without compromise. These fights for democratic rights help the other Americans to understand the reality of the power structure oppressing the minority and therefore reach new conclusions about socialism and capitalism[6]. The minorities can not only educate other Americans on their rights, but they can also set them in motion. Additionally, they can stimulate white Americans to fight their own interest and needs through the power of pressure as well as the power of example. This way, the rulers can become aware of the contagion and stimulation effects that the minority can cause when oppressed, hence making them realize the need of stopping the fights before they get too far.

Because the current circumstances that minority communities experience is probably not stable, it means that the need for policy choices and political engagement over the next few years will determine whether they will enjoy the full psychological and social benefits of being part of their great country. Due to various things that have been happening in the society, there is hope that they will be accepted by American society as time goes on.

How did those in power, such as the federal government solidify its power in society, and justify it?

The government solidified its position and power to the society through social inclusion by assisting the socially excluded people to overcome disadvantages and inequality arising from their race or ethnic background. Through encouraging social inclusion, the federal government promotes equal opportunities for all the citizens, including those who are excluded, hence eliminating any discrimination that might be present[7]. This creates a clear link between promoting diversity and equality through social inclusion. Promoting social inclusion allows the government to motivate the society, which in turn promotes good citizenship through raising awareness of the public about the needs of minority groups, encouraging them to develop capabilities and talents, and also fighting discrimination for the benefit of the society. This way, the government shows concern to the needs of its citizens and its intent to help a particular group of people in the society, hence solidifying its importance and power to them.

Another way which the government solidifies its power to the society is through promoting social responsibility initiatives by providing the society with a way to improve successful collaboration between the citizens and the government. Over the years, the government has been funding education, encouraging more active citizenship, and opening borders to legal immigrants which shows that it is in control and that its main aim is for its citizen to be comfortable and safe in their own nation.

The government also invests in talent through building children development infrastructure for all the kids in the society. This provides the children with a platform which enables them to find what is needed who they want to be. The government also provides members of the society with platforms where everything is done intelligently and efficiently. Also, the government demonstrates its power by protecting its citizens from all forms of attacks, and other factors that may harm its people.  

Bibliography

Christopher, Cameron. Becoming African in America: Race and Nation in the Early Black Atlantic. Afro-Americans in New York Life and History, Vol. 36, No. 2, 2012, pp. 213-227.

Elif, Bulut. Race or Class? Testing Spatial Assimilation Theory for Minorities in Los Angeles. Polish Sociological Review, No. 201, 2018, pp. 43-58.

Kathleen, Fitzgerald J. Recognizing Race, and Ethnicity: Power, Privilege and inequality. The Western Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 41, 2017, Pp.12-23

Nancy, Levit. Theorizing and Litigating the Rights of Sexual Minorities. Columbia Journal of Gender and Law, Vol. 19, No. 1, 2010, pp. 132-146.

Parker, Victoria A. The importance of cultural competence in caring for and working in a diverse America. Generations. Vol. 34, 2010, PP.65-70

[1] Fitzgerald, Kathleen. J. Recognizing Race and Ethnicity: Power, Privilege and inequality. The Western Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 41, 2017, Pp.12-23

[2] Ibid., 17

[3] Victoria, Parker. A. The importance of cultural competence in caring for and working in a diverse America. Generations. Vol. 34, 2010, PP.65-70

[4] Cameron, Christopher. Becoming African in America: Race and Nation in the Early Black Atlantic. Afro-Americans in New York Life and History, Vol. 36, No. 2, 2012, pp. 213-227.

[5] Bulut, Elif. Race or Class? Testing Spatial Assimilation Theory for Minorities in Los Angeles. Polish Sociological Review, No. 201, 2018, pp. 43-58

[6] Ebit., 48

[7] Levit, Nancy. Theorizing and Litigating the Rights of Sexual Minorities. Columbia Journal of Gender and Law, Vol. 19, No. 1, 2010, pp. 132-146.