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Population: The Changing Face of Our NationBy KRISTEN STERNBERG | NIE Educational Consultant "Census tells story of a more diversified America," headlined a recent News-Journal article. That story, about the results of United States Census 2000, reported dramatic changes in the racial makeup of America's population over the 10 years since the last official census was taken.
As Census 2000 results became available, The News-Journal reported statistics for the nation as well as the State of Florida. Take a look at statistics for many of Florida's minority groups while you think about the effects these growing populations might have upon your area, such as in government, community services, local businesses and schools. New in Census 2000 were categories for many previously ignored racial and ethnic groups. Those who responded to this census were able to be more precise by selecting categories that more closely matched their ancestral and cultural backgrounds. While many applauded the new choices, read about how some believed it to be cause for confusion. For much of our nation's history, immigrants have typically sacrificed their native languages and customs in efforts to be more "American" (or, many times, to avoid being targets of racial or ethnic intolerance). In modern years, public opinion about such assimilation has changed. Nowadays, most appreciate our nation's diversity and understand the importance of preserving the history and traditions of their own and others' heritage. Do you think it's important to preserve one's native culture? Read a newspaper writer's reflections on this topic in Changing faces of population enrich nation. Not long ago, The News-Journal also carried a story about preserving Hispanic cultures. Find out what those interviewed had to say! You can also read the captivating story of one immigrant's suspenseful border crossing. Then, as you continue to explore this topic through the newspaper and web site activities below, why not think about a newspaper article you might write to tell your own, or an ancestor's, immigration experiences? Try these fun activities using The News-Journal! 1. It may be hard to appreciate contributions made by people from different cultures if you don't make an effort to understand them. One way to appreciate other cultures is to sample the foods they may eat. Use the newspaper to find at least one recipe from a culture that is different than yours. With permission (and help!) from your parent or guardian, use the recipe to prepare and eat that food. What did you think of the dish you made? Sunshine State Standards: FL.B.1.2.3, FL.D.2.2.1, MA.B.4.2.2)
2. The term diversity applies to more than racial and ethnic differences. Can you think of other kinds of diversity? Search your newspaper for stories and pictures that describe people who appear different from you. Try to find at least two different articles or pictures. For each one, list one difference (some examples are race, religion and ability or disability). Now for the challenge: On the same sheet of paper, list things you may have in common with each of the people you selected (for instance, age, interests and language spoken at home). If you can find three commonalities you share with each of your choices, you're awesome! Sunshine State Standards: FL.A.3.2.1, FL.A.3.2.2, LA.A.2.2.5, LA.B.2.2.6 3. We live in an increasingly racially diverse society, as you are learning from this web page and other sources. Do you believe that diversity is accurately reflected in the news media? Check your newspaper over a period of one week, keeping track of stories and pictures of people of various racial and ethnic backgrounds. Do an analysis of the information you collected by preparing a chart to show the percentage of news coverage for each racial or ethnic group you found. Compare your findings to racial statistics for the State of Florida and then for your county, which you will find by following links provided in the Links section, below. How do your results compare with the state's statistics? How do they compare with those of your county? Sunshine State Standards: MA.D.1.2.1, MA.E.3.2.1 4. Search your newspaper for pictures of people from different cultures who are shown doing positive things. Look closely for individuals and groups who are promoting their own culture in a good way. Clip and display your findings. Sunshine State Standards: FL.A.1.2.1, FL.D.2.2.3 5. Your newspaper's Letters to the Editor section is a place for people to express their opinions. Check that section of your paper to find letters to the editor about racial issues. Select one you strongly agree or disagree with. Write your own letter to the editor as a response to your selection. Mail it to your newspaper, and watch closely over the next few days to see if your opinion letter gets published! Sunshine State Standards: FL.A.1.2.1, FL.A.3.2.2, LA.A.2.2.5, LA.B.2.2.6 A copy of Florida's Sunshine State Standards can be found at intech2000.miamisci.org. Check out these links to learn more: To locate information specific to your county, try the United States Census Bureau's QuickFacts web site. (quickfacts.census.gov) The U.S. Census Bureau is the authoritative source for population data, which may be broken down into a variety of categories. While you're there, be sure to click on the Minority Links button for fascinating facts-and more-about our nation's diverse population. (www.census.gov) The Newspaper Association of America's web site contains links to many newspapers in the U.S. and around the world. Visit the site and check out some of them to see if they have recently published any articles on this topic. To access the newspapers at the site, select a state. Click on the "Internationals" button to view choices from other countries. The Daytona Beach News-Journal NIE Program, published April 30, 2001 |
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