Critical Analysis

1. How many Hispanic members will be in the 117th Congress?

2. What is the big story this chart tells about race in congress?

3. In the U.S., there are more Hispanics than African-Americans. Explain why there are more Congressional seats held by African Americans (59) than Hispanics (45).

4. Compare the racial composition of congress to that of the entire U.S.?

5. What is the best explanation for that comparison?

6. What is one consequence of that comparison?

7. How different do you think the racial breakdown of congress is in the House from the Senate?

8. Why do you think that is?

9. By 2042 Caucasian-Americans will no longer be a majority. When if ever do you think Caucasian-Americans will no longer be a majority in Congress?

10. Isabel Wilkerson writes that says that because American will soon be minority-majority (more non Caucasian-Americans, than Caucasian-Americans) that the U.S. will have to chose between Whiteness and Democracy. What do you think she mean by that claim?

11. Explain whether you agree with Wilkerson’s claim.

12. If Congress were minority-majority today, describe three policy changes that would result from this demographic makeup.

Learning Extension

These great graphics by The Hill have the breakdown of the 117th Congress by race, gender, age, etc.

Action Extension

Examine the racial breakdown of your state and your state’s congressional delegation. Share the results in class or online.

Visual Extension

The title of this class starter sounds like a song by Flatt and Scruggs.