Changing Race in America

Critical Analysis

1. According to the census bureau data from the visual above, as of 2021, what was the largest racial group in America?

2. According to the census bureau data from the visual above, as of 2021, what was the largest racial minority group in America?

3. According to the census bureau data from the visual above, as of 2001, what portion of Americans were White (non-Hispanic)?

4. According to the census bureau data from the visual above, between 2001 and 2021 , how much did the share of the population that is Hispanic/Latino grow?

5. Based on the data from the visual above, describe one major change in the racial/ethnic makeup of America between 2001 and 2021.

6. According to Brookings, 2020 census estimates show that nearly four of 10 Americans identify with a race or ethnic group other than white, and suggest that the 2010 to 2020 decade will be the first in the nation’s history in which the white population declined in numbers. Over the decade’s first nine years, racial and ethnic minorities accounted for all of the nation’s population growth, and were responsible for population gains in many states, metropolitan areas, and counties that would have otherwise registered losses due to declines in their white populations. Describe one cause for the changing racial makeup of the U.S. population.

7. If demographic trends continue, at some point, American will become (like California is now) minority-majority. In other words, Whites will be the largest group (plurality) but they will not be over half of the population (majority). In fact, according to the Brookings data (see figure 1 below*) by 2019, that is exactly what happened to the under 16 population of the United States. In what way are these changes reflected in your own life and community?

8. Describe the connection between the visual above, and the changing congressional racial makeup in the Pew Research visual below*.

9. Given the voting tendency of non-White voters as shown in the Pew Research data below*, how will the changing racial demographics of the country and the electorate impact U.S. elections and politics in the future?

10. My student, Veronica said that a direct consequence of the data in the chart was the election of Barack Obama and the election of Donald Trump. Explain how both those things could be true.

Learning Extension

Scroll through the USAFacts data about the changing U.S. racial makeup.

Action Extension

Research the demographics of your county or city and make a comparison of your local data with the national data. Share your research with your classmates.

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