CULTURAL DIVERSITY - FEDERAL & STATE LEVELS
Cultural diversity refers to the differences that may exist among people as a function of characteristics such as race, cultural and ethnic background, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and physical or sensory impairment. The status of cultural diversity needs to be explored in an effort to accommodate needs for changes in policies on both federal and state levels, regarding economic and educational issues.
Prediction of expected changes in diversity that are likely to occur from 1990 to 2010, includes the examination of trend lines from census data from 1980 to 1990. During this period, the nation increased by 22.1 million persons, to a total of 248.7 million in 1990. Different regions throughout the U.S. grew at different rates; ninety percent of the growth occurred in the south and west. States growing the most rapidly tend to be those with a high percentage of minorities. Three states got half of the nation's growth; California, Texas and Florida therefore picked up 14 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. It is anticipated that the growth rates will continue at this uneven pace. By the year 2000, the Congressional Research Service has stated that California will have 50 seats in the House of Representatives, Florida will have 28, and Texas will have 34. These votes could be enough to defeat legislation introduced by any other state.
The 1990 census shows that Asians, Hispanics and blacks account for a majority of the workers in 137 occupations in Santa Clara County, to include roofers, welders, electrical technicians, and production supervisors (56 occupations in 1980). It is predicted that these numbers will continue to grow by the year 2000, when whites will no longer be a majority of the state's population. Minority groups are found to be scarce in management, and many low-wage industries where minorities are concentrated are in failing economic h...