From the Washington Post:
For the first time in U.S. history, most of the nation’s babies are members of minority groups, according to new census figures that signal the dawn of an era in which whites no longer will be in the majority.
The latest estimates, which gauge changes since the last census, are a reflection of an immigration wave that began four decades ago. The transformation of the country’s racial and ethnic makeup has gathered steam as the white population grows collectively older, especially compared with Hispanics.
The census has forecast that non-Hispanic whites will be outnumbered in the United States by 2042, and social scientists consider that current status among infants a harbinger of the change.
“This is a watershed moment,” said Andrew Cherlin, a sociologist at Johns Hopkins University who specializes in family issues. “It shows us how multicultural we’ve become.”
Culture warrior Pat Buchanan got himself a in alot of trouble by suggesting that Utah was a truly “American” state because of its heavily Mormon population. Mormons tend to marry within their religion and most Mormons are white. In fact, it was this very notion that caused Buchanan’s departure from MSNBC, according to standard.net:
MSNBC President Phil Griffin told reporters in early January that Buchanan had been taken off the network because of comments Buchanan made in his latest book, “Suicide of a Superpower.” The New York Times quoted the book’s declaration that the “European and Christian core of our country is shrinking,” damaging the nation “ethnically, culturally, morally, politically.” It also noted that one chapter is called “The End of White America.” Griffin said, “The ideas he put forth aren’t really appropriate for national dialogue, much less the dialogue on MSNBC.”
It will be interesting to step back and watch the culture warriors. Will they accept that white won’t be the majority race in this America as of 2042? Where does the ban on abortion fit in? Will they reconsider their flag ship issues of banning abortion and defunding Planned Parenthood? Did they not realize that the majority of abortions are sought by non-white women? Will contraception still be an awkward topic that some folks still quietly fight? These are all questions that no one likes to talk about and are loaded with dynamite. There are literally no right answers simply because whatever is said is grabbed up by the “other side” (whatever that is) and used to beat up the opposition as though wielding a lead pipe.
Obviously, discussion of America’s racial make up and reproductive rights is a toxic cocktail and probably best avoided because it presents such a conundrum.
I’m doing my part to breed y’all out. 🙂
Me and my siblings all married whites (we wanted credit!) and all of our offspring are labeled as Hispanic on their birth certificates.
Pop trivia. Time Trax was a tv show back in the day with Hispanics as the majority and whites having no rights as a minority race…..
Why are your kids listed as Hispanics? Was that just your preference?
Free college money. We’re playing the long game!!
My nieces are as white looking as can be. Very Anglican names. Both are listed as Hispanic. 😉
But you got to choose, right?
I did the same with my son.
I think that is one contributing factor in the explosion of non white births. White guys like me have been a victim of government sactioned racism and we don’t want out children to experience the same thing. So what do you do about it, you declare your child a minority on thei birth certificate.
@Peterson
Thats not too far off. If my neices had been marked as white instead of hispanic they’d lose out on some really nice government benefits. It’s about playing the long game here. You could say we’re pulling an Elizabeth Warren except they’re 50% and not 1/32.
MH, yes. We get to pick and the State doesn’t question the parents at all.
Interesting aside. Because my son was evaluated by the County for Type D services (gross motor function disability) I got a survey in the mail from William and Mary asking me to rate the services I got from the county. They took one look at my sons name and sent me the forms in spanish.
Racists.
@marin, racist or considerate? I don’t think offering something in what might be someone’s base language is racist.
Now…by the time your children get to college age, there may be no nice govt. benefits. At what point do we (Americans) owe people who are classified as minority special benefits? Everyone goes to the same schools and therefore should have the same opportunity up to a point. The last kids who went to segregated schools would be MY age for heavens sake. We are talking 3 generations. Hispanics and Asians have always had equal education.
there…someone come and take my official liberal card out of my cold hands…..
@Moon-howler
Racist. As I’m the minority I can play the card anytime I want. 🙂
LMAO. I’m not going to comment further as your post is beautiful on it’s own. “Either we’re equal or we’re not.”
Hopefully, everyone will have had the same educational opportunities so that minority status won’t NEED to entitle anyone to special treatment. On the other hand, I don’t blame you for hedging your bets. About the only group I want to assist with college are the poor who have superior (not just good) grades. I also want the Dream Act for students whose parents brought them here illegally. However I just want them to be able TO go to college. I don’t want to pay for it.
@marinm
By the time your kiddos get to college, whites will definitely be in the minority and may be able to play the “special privileges” card. (My nephews, with their Hispanic surname and father who speaks no Spanish and mother who is Anglo but speaks a smattering of Spanish, should check into those bennies.)
When I was doing the census, the immigrants from Central America were very confused by the “race” question. They were “indios.” Or…if they had European ancestors… white (Spanish) But the color of their skin was irrelevant.
If my kids are smart and motivated they’ll had plenty of opportunity available to them. Sure they might not get in as legacies at a college but that’s to say some hard work and elbow grease won’t get them a piece of the pie. If they still have a problem with paying for school – the military is always an avenue available to pay for college.
The poor have access to libraries. As jails have shown us there is a lot that can be accomplished within even limited libraries.
The DREAM act is misnamed. It should be called “Legal citizens paying for a college education of children who were brought here in a non-legal status and expect to be educated on the public dime for an additional 4-7 years post high school.”
Cargo, Latinos are very very racist. For example a Costs Rican looks down on a Salvadorian and they both look down on Bolivians. Seems the more Indian blood you have the lower on the scale you are. :shrug:
@marinm
You are absolutely right about the racism. But, its not about color. Its about family. Dark “latins” with a lot of Spanish ancestry rank higher than light skinned indios.
My mother used this to her advantage when traveling down south. Fluent in Spanish, she would was thought to be El Salvadoran when in Guatemala and vice versa. In Mexico, she used pure Castillian Spanish, which got her treated very well. She always blended in, except when she didn’t want to and pretended to be a “dumb, English only American.”
I suspect she worked for the CIA…. 😉
HEY! I just realized…. I’m now the minority!
Where’s my political protection!?!
@Cargosquid
You assume that the new majority will defer so much to the new minority – thus my Time Trax reference.
You all can mow my yards. ;). I won’t ask for documentation…
What are you paying? And its cash only.
Anyone else watching those ancestor search programs? One on Friday and one on Sunday. Amazing how many people think or want “native American” ancestors.
I’m finding it very interesting to watch the reactions of some black celebrities when they find out that they came from free blacks. Wanda Sykes, in one line, came from free blacks all the way back to Virginia in the 1760’s or so.
And the gene tests are great. There were some surprises.
What is interesting about it? You sort of left us hanging on that one. @Cargo
I think most Americans are proud to be native American. I am not sure what is driving this wannabe spirit. Some romance notion. My family is all wannabe over my husband’s good fortune to be able to claim Irish citizenship. I doubt if the family would all be jealous if they lived 100 years ago. In fact, it might be seen as a curse when being Irish wasn’t quite as cool as it is today.
@Moon-howler
Its interesting because they are surprised. And Wanda was doubly surprised when she found out that they owned slaves……
Oops.
Being Irish is cool? Who knew. Everyone knows that its the cajuns that know how to party best!