Growing Racial And Ethnic Diversity Within The United States

Jacobsen, Kent, Lee, & Mather (2011) stated, “Since women live longer than men in the United States, women will continue to make up a majority of the older population in the foreseeable future” (pg. 3). Whereas, this age distribution among men and women are expected to remain approximately the same between 2009 and 2030, there will be notable changes in the age and gender gap by 2050 as the gap grows smaller (Jacobsen, Kent, Lee, & Mather, 2011). Furthermore, according to Vincent & Velkoff (2010), by the year 2042 the United States will become more racially and ethnically diverse with the combined minority population expected to become the majority. Thus, as people in the United States age over the next several decades, the older population will also become a more racially and ethnically diverse group. In addition, the overall age structure of the population is expected to change a great deal over the next four decades (Vincent & Velkoff, 2010). This will pose even more challenges to policy makers and programs designed to help the elderly like Medicare and Social Security. Therefore, being able to project the size and structure of the older population, in regards to age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin is not only important to public interest, but also private both socially and economically (Vincent & Velkoff, 2010).

Like longevity trends, racial trends among the elderly are an important aspect when looking at demographics of the aging population. The growing aging population is also changing in composition. The aging populace is moving to be a more racially and ethnically diverse population than previous aging populations (Ortman & Velkoff, 2014). In 2010, non-Hispanic whites made up 80% of adults aged 65 years or older, by 2030 that percent will decrease to 71.2% of the population 65 and older. It is predicted that by 2050 non-Hispanic whites will make up fewer than 60% of the

While driving down the road, I see a sign, “Black Lives Matter”, and I ponder on the question to myself, “what equality is there in humanity”. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”( Congress, 1776). I ask myself, at the time the Declaration of Independence was being written, did they forget to disclose the statement,” except for Black people.” The vast majority of social media sources, in 2016 have displayed the slogan, “Black Lives Matter”. I asked myself, have Black lives ever mattered in the United States of America, and what can citizens do to provide inclusion of membership for everyone. The history of the United States has shown racial disparities for over 200 years, and while the emancipation of slaves and the Civil Rights movement has shown some progression towards unity; the divide is apparent in everyday life.

In a country where many believe the hatchet of racism was buried with its first black president, many people of color, both non-black and black are still frustrated and disappointed in the progress to be made. Many progressives prefer to see America as a colorblind nation, a nation where if you work hard and do right, you 'll fulfill the American Dream. Often this dream is accompanied with challenge after challenge for people of color. Of course what first must be asked is if racism is still present in our justice system and in the fabric of our country? What must be understood first is that answers to these complex issues are never black or white, which leaves far too much gray area to be discussed.

The non-Hispanic White elderly population will drop from 84 to 64% from now until 2050. The Hispanic elderly during this time is projected to be the fastest growing population. The smaller percentage of elderly Black people at 8% is due to lower life expectancy but will increase to 11% by 2050. The Asian population represents about 4% of the older population. One of the fastest growing minority older adult population is the Native Americans. Only 8% of Native Americans are older than 65 years old.

The Fifth Amendment of the Bill of Rights (1791) included in the Constitution of the Unites States (US) declares that “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” Later, President Roosevelt during his campaign address of October 13, 1932, certainly stated that the “government is responsible for its citizens ' welfare.” Recently, Rabbi Greg Harris in a recent lecture at the National Defense University declared that “the majorities should protect the rights of minorities.” Based on these assertions, it is possible to infer that historically, since the birth of

Demographics in America have been reshaped in the past century. With an expansive immigration rate, the United States has grown to be a diverse country. The United States is quickly moving from being a nation that has a White Majority and minority groups of different races and ethnicities to one in which no single racial or ethnic group will be in the majority (Wilson, Gutierrez, Chao 2013). Although many minority groups are continuing to migrate on to U.S territory, some have surpassed others making them the more dominant minority in America. Latinos have surpassed African America as the largest minority, and the portion of the country that is white has fallen from roughly ninety percent to sixty percent (Hajnal, Rivera 2014).

The demographic revolution that has taken place in the United States between 1965 and the present was one of the most dramatic demographic shifts in history. People coming into the United States from all around the world seeked economic opportunities, but it wasn’t until after the Cold War that the U.S opened their doors. Nonetheless, the population in the U.S. has been leaning towards becoming a majority minority, which means that the minority groups will soon become the majority instead of Whites dominating. Laws and socioeconomic factors have influenced this dramatic shift because it helped many more immigrants move into the US seeking jobs and financial stability.

Today, 37 percent of the U.S. population is people of color” (Penn State Extension). Today we can see the largest-growing population is the Hispanic/Latino group in America. Differences are starting to become more recognized and appreciated. Different ethnic groups are starting to embrace their cultural heritage through their languages, lifestyles and religious

The United States has Changed from a Melting Pot to a Vast Culture with Varying Racial Backgrounds

American society is becoming increasingly culturally diverse. The 2010 Census indicates that the racial and ethnic makeup

Racial and ethnic minorities accounted for 90 percent of the population growth in the United States from 2000 to 2010, and the United States is rapidly becoming even more diverse. The rapid increase in the minority population has led to some backlash and challenges for law

Over the years, there have been major shifts within the United States in regards to its population. Statisticians have estimated that 20% of the population will be 65 years of age and older. There is an even

From 1970 to the year 2000, the world's over-60 population is projected to increase by more than 90 percent" . This is an astonishing number, seeming how the total population was predicted to grow by less than 75 percent . "The most prominent feature of the looming shift in the composition of the working-age population is, of course, its increasing age" . It is hard to say what will happen when suddenly there will be an abundance of older people who are preparing to retire.

The American population is getting older which presents us with many challenges but also present us with potential opportunities. With the length of life and quantity and fraction of older persons rise in most industrialized and many evolving nations, a crucial question is whether this population will be accompanied by continued or better-quality health, an improving quality of life, and adequate social and cost-effective resources. This answer lies in the ability of peoples and societies, as well as modern social, governmental, financial, and health service delivery systems, to provide optimum assistance to older persons.