Opinion: Minorities are not looking for 'payback'
Editor's note: Ruben Navarrette Jr. is a CNN.com contributor and a nationally syndicated columnist.
By Ruben Navarrette Jr. , CNN Contributor
San Diego (CNN) - You've probably read those articles about how, in the United States, minorities are becoming the majority. That's a polite way of describing what is really going on. Namely, that the U.S. population is becoming more Latino and less white. More than any other group, it is Latinos who are driving demographic changes.
Last week, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that, of all the babies born in the United States in 2011, more than half were members of minority groups. Latinos, Asians, African-Americans and other minorities accounted for 50.4% of births last year, marking the first time in U.S. history this has happened.
Immigration is a driving force. So is the fact that Latinos have higher birthrates because they tend to be younger and starting families. According to the report, Latinos have a median age of 27; with whites, it's 42.
When I read these kinds of stories, I wince. Some people assume that making lawmakers, media and corporations aware of population trends will persuade them to see the value in diversity and cause them to reach out to nonwhite populations. In my experience, it doesn't have that effect at all. People tend to do what they want to do the way they've always done it.
But what you can set your watch by is the backlash to these stories. It's rooted in fear, but also in human nature. No one likes being told they're being displaced or pushed aside, or that they're not going to be as relevant as time goes on.
About In America
What defines you? Maybe it’s the shade of your skin, the place you grew up, the accent in your words, the make up of your family, the gender you were born with, the intimate relationships you chose to have or your generation? As the American identity changes we will be there to report it. In America is a venue for creative and timely sharing of news that explores who we are. Reach us at inamerica@cnn.com.
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@ huh no they dont. being white was the exact reason i was denied a pell grant for school. so go back to your food stamp lunch while i work my butt off to pay your rent!
You are CRYING over a pell grant? Wow, lets play the smallest violin for your sorry racist behind.
Americans who pick up the bills are looking for payback for being forced to support the Brown Invasion.
Minorities are coming to America whether you like it or not and will prosper sooner or later. Go cry yourself into a corner, racist.
Typical Reuben. Defend the Invasion at all cost. Take away those here illegally and the hispanics don't count. The word for the day Reuben is illegal. How about your grandfather who came here illegally. You're a walking, talking, conflict of interest. No Amnesty. No way. Be here Legal or be gone.
How about your ancestors who came here "illegally" once upon a time, should we send them and their descendants back as well?
Thats because minorities already got their payback with anchor babies, welfare, free medical care, food stamps, free education, section 8 housing, employment preference, free phone service and other things on the white mans dime.
So white people don't get welfare, free medical care, food stamps, free education, section 8 housing, employment preference, and free phone service?
By the way, I'm taking a guess – you're white, right?
Thank you Mr. Navarette. I know we are all different and unique but I wish everyone could see the truth and explain the way you have in this article. I am a 44 year old black lady and the last thing on my mind is trying to get even with someone, I I have more important things to accomplish in my life, God and my family and encouraging others is top priority for me. The seeds. For the last year I have been dealing with the loss of my son, the black man who murdered him is in prison and I thank God for justice. No, I'm not looking for any payback because of someone's race.