The Diversified Groups of People in the United States Term Paper

The needed US diversity information

The United States has extensively been termed as a melting spot for various ethnicities, races and cultures. It is true that all groups situated in the United States have numerous similarities and differences. Having acquired the information about the peaceful coexistence of most of the U.S. inhabitants, I have been able to accept and tolerate the prevailing differences.

Via embracing the diverse societal differences, I have gained new living concepts, novel thinking approaches as well as getting acquainted to a variety of foodstuffs that are enjoyable. In the end, all the diversified groups of people found in the United States have mutual interests of being happy, protected and loved (Naylor, 1999).

Generally, it might be very useful for the entire society to concentrate on the key interests instead of looking at the level of individual and groups differences. This will definitely close the chances of learning various other cultures that exist in life.

The U.S population outlook by 2050

While it is anticipated that the United States population demographics will be shaped by immigrations, it is clear that when evaluated against the current U.S., the fiscal 2050 United States will seemingly look dissimilar from that of today. Despite the fact the current U.S. population is predominantly whites while the minority population is merely 30%, by the financial year 2050, the US minority population will possibly exceed 50%. In fact, not even a single advanced inhabited nation will experience and record such a level of diversity.

Most of the net population growth in America will constitute of the mounting mixed race population as well as the minorities (Schaefer, 2012). The 2050 United States will take this look because the Asian and Latino inhabitants are anticipated to approximately triple. The immigrants’ kids will be well-known. Out of all immigrants, half will go straight to the U.S. as the most preferred destination.

Challenges faced by US as a result of inhabitants’ diversity

The United States often welcomes a diversified number of people from across the globe. By favoring such larger families in its localities, the United States anticipates problems associated with resource shortages and population growth.

In fact, these two challenges are perceived to be very detrimental to the United States environmental and nature conservancy measures. Besides, diversity in the U.S. might probably result into job shortages since the arrival of groups and individuals would definitely create surplus labor. Creating enough employment opportunities to absorb such magnitudes of people might be difficult (Smith, 1991).

Issues associated with acculturation by immigrant populations and the minorities as well as racisms are likely to be chronic stressors to the United States government. Finally, the U.S. will encounter problems and challenges in delivering and maintaining sufficient public amenities such health facilities and other infrastructural facilities like roads and education programs. Potential barriers may crop up when individuals try to access publicly available resources.

A diverse society and its benefits

As observed in the case of the United States, a diverse society has many benefits. Amongst the benefits is that such a society promotes humanistic values. A society that is diverse shows that it commemorates, rejoices and recognizes the kind of diversities existing in individuals and groups from variant backdrops. Furthermore, a diverse society helps in improving the economic wellbeing of a given nation and assists in generating various pools of talents.

The created pool of talents will help each and every individual to learn, acquire and exchange knowledge, competencies and positive attributes (Macionis, 2012). Often, when a nation has numerous expertises, it will have a clear cut market advantage that will assist it in making headway progresses within a larger environment. Diversity further helps societal members in exchanging innovative ideas. The dynamic exchange in innovative ideas might assist societal members in generating unique solutions and idea to the prevailing problems.

Fostering a climate of cultural pluralism and acceptance in the United States

To foster a climate of cultural pluralism and acceptance in the United States, the society must clearly understand and define the diversities in culture, identify cultural diversity challenges and appreciate other cultures. Issues relating to cultural diversity ought also to be taught in classrooms. Cultural pluralism and acceptance can equally be fostered in the U.S. via making changes which will warrant that individuals understand the government systems and the legal environment of the U.S. (Blackwell, 1988).

Inhabitants need to be enlightened and advised on issues the concern their rights as the U.S. population and what needs not to be done as members of this nation. While America embraces immigration, legal acts should not be confused with immigration. Finally, individuals and groups should learn the economical, cultural and social conditions affecting the ethnic and racial minorities found in the U.S.

Media, prejudice and stereotyping

The media normally depicts people, views and cultural values in a particular way to the viewers. If such views are prejudicing in nature, then the media is responsible for the perpetuation of prejudice in society (Macionis, 2012). In addition, the media can present things in a way that depicts stereotype and that is the way it will be perceived by the viewers.

The public perceptions are shaped by the way certain information is presented by the media. For instance, Muslims are perceived in America as terrorists. The media associates Muslims with terror activities especially after the bombing of the world trade center.

The claim by the American government that radical Muslims were the people involved in the destruction of people’s lives through the media have changed the societal perception of the Muslim society (Schaefer, 2012). Since then the media has continuously shown that terrorist activities happening around the world are caused by Muslims.

Another example is how black people, especially the males have been associated with violence in America by the media. The media has represented the black men as criminals and drug dealers in almost all channels. The negative media representations of the target ethnic group within society have resulted into tensions, stereotypes and prejudice of such kind of people.

The media and diversity appreciation

The media encourages tolerance of diversity through the exposure and introduction of different people who are not familiar. This will depend on the way media presents these diverse groups of people (Macionis, 2012). For instance, the media introduces the minority groups so that they could be known by the mainstream society.

The Indian community is a traditional minority group which has continuously been highlighted by the media as being near extinction. Via exposing their traditional culture, customs and beliefs, they have are known by the mainstream society which have played an essential role in preserving these indigenous people.

The media through advocacy for tolerance enables people to appreciate the differences that exist among them. The media teaches and helps people understand diverse cultures, customs and beliefs.

The media made Americans to become tolerant to the Muslim community. It is also through the media that all religious groups in America such as Mormons and the Hindus are living side by side (Naylor, 1999). That is, the media have made diverse religious groups to become aware of attitudes, feelings and perceptions regarding various characteristics of their diversity.

Working together increase diversity appreciation and reduce prejudice

Reducing prejudice should not just be an individual goal but also an aim of the whole society. Individuals as well as the society should first acknowledge that prejudice exists and has an effect on society (Smith, 1991). It is through acknowledgement that misrepresentations of facts are openly discussed, understood and solved in such a way that changes would be brought about. The society must appreciate diversity among individuals or ethnic groups.

The stereotypes must also be dealt with without necessarily being held responsible. Focusing on either culpability may distract the call for change. Additionally, societal attention has been changed from the current to the past thereby leaving one to feel unable to help or ineffective in making any change. Those dealing with prejudice must make long term commitment to the process of change (Macionis, 2012). They must also be in a position to challenge the absurdity of the damaging thoughts.

Changing behavior to be pluralistic and inclusive

To be more pluralistic and inclusive, one must first appreciate the diversity that exists within the society. Decisions and actions are made and taken after considering the viewpoints of others. In particular, one must perceive things through the views of other people who come from dissimilar background.

For instance, the decisions American government makes are primarily shaped by public opinion (Schaefer, 2012). Further, pluralism is exhibited in the government structures. The American government is structured in a way that is not only inclusive but also representative.

Furthermore, it is all representative where major decisions must pass through the house of representative. Basically, the house of representatives is made of members representing all diverse groups in America. Besides, the house determines most decisions the president makes. The Americans pluralism where political, economic and social decisions are shaped by people views is entrenched on the constitution.

References

Blackwell, J. (1988). Faculty issues: The impact on minorities. Review of Higher Education, 11(8), 417-434.

Macionis, J. (2012). Social problems. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Naylor, L. (1999). Problems and issues of diversity in the United States. INC’s Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group.

Schaefer, R. (2012). Racial and ethnic groups. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Smith, D. (1991). The challenge of diversity: Alienation in the academy and its implications for faculty. Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, 2(1), 129-137.