For years, the white community constituted the majority of the American population. While this is still the case, it is understood that their proportion of the national population is declining. This situation is largely the result of the diverse racial mix of the country. Today, the US hosts individuals from diverse racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. The changing religious and racial landscape of the United States is among the topics that are explored on the Critical Media Project site. According to the site, the US is undergoing rapid demographic shifts. White Christian Americans now make up just 45% of the population. That America is becoming increasingly less white and less Christian is indeed true.
To gain a proper understanding of the decline in the proportion of white and Christian Americans, one simply needs to consult census data. According to the US Census Bureau, white Americans make up 76.9% of the population (US Census Bureau, n.d). This figure is based on the bureau’s estimate for 2017. The figure indicates that white Americans still account for a majority of the population. However, one needs to remember that the figure does not account for the religious diversity that the country has achieved. In her article, Rachel Zoll echoes the assertion by the Critical Media Project that America is no longer a white Christian country. She shares the findings of a study which established that the proportion of white Christian Americans has fallen to below 50% (Zoll, 2017). Zoll proceeds to offer an explanation for the decline in the number of White Christian Americans. She identifies immigration and an increase in the number of Americans who reject organized religion as among the key factors that have led to the decline in the population of White Americans who belong to the Christian faith. The figures presented in this discussion convey one clear message: White Christian Americans are quickly losing their dominance. This message is in line with the assertion made by the Critical Media Project.
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The discussion above has given particular focus to the changes that the White Christian community is undergoing. For an even better understanding of the demographic changes taking place in the US to be gained, one needs to examine the shifts that other racial and religious groups have undergone. Writing for the Pew Research Center, Besheer Mohamed (2018) noted that the Muslim population in the US continues to register significant increases. In 2007, this population stood at just 2.35 million. By 2017, the population had risen to 3.45 million (Mohamed, 2018). Compared to the national population, the proportion of Muslims is rather meager. However, it should be understood that the increase in the number of Muslims is a representation of the larger shifts that the US demographic profile is undergoing. That the number of Muslims in the country is growing is indeed interesting. This is because under the leadership of President Trump, the country is slowly adopting an anti-Muslim bias. In early 2018, his administration introduced a policy that aimed to curb the entry of Muslims into the US. The increase in the Muslim population is clear evidence that despite hostile government policies and unfriendly public perception, Muslims still find the US to be an inviting destination where they are able to enjoy freedom and pursue their desires.
From the discussion above, it is evident that the increase in the Muslim population is among the forces responsible for the changes in the demography of the US. However, one should note that other demographic groups have also undergone changes which have contributed to the shifts in the nation’s demographic profile. Ethnic and racial minorities are among the groups whose numbers have swelled, allowing them to account for a larger proportion of the national population. Bill Chappell (2017) authored an enlightening article which details the numbers of racial and ethnic minorities. According to the article, the population of African Americans stood at 46.8 million in 2016. This figure represents a 1.2% increase compared to the figure for 2015. Hispanics numbered 57.5 million, a 2.1% increase on the 2015 population (Chappell, 2017). The number of Asian Americans also grew. In 2016, this number was 21.4 million. Native Americans also witnessed an increase in their population. One of the insights that one gains from Chappell’s article is that nearly all racial and ethnic communities in the US registered an increase in their populations. Even the white community saw a 0.5% increase in its size. As of 2016, White Americans numbered a whopping 256 million. Whereas the other communities witnessed significant population increases, the white community only grew by a meager 0.5% (Chappell, 2015). When it asserted that America is no longer a white Christian nation, the Critical Media Project must have critically examined the population data of the US. There is no doubt that White Christian Americans are losing their influence and dominance.
The main take-away from the Critical Media Project is that Christianity is playing a less critical role in the US as the number of White Christians continues to decline. It is noted that this decline has robbed Presidential aspirants of the conservative vote which they relied on heavily to win the presidency. There is some truth in this assertion. An examination of the trends within the Christian community reveals that religion is losing its power and appeal. In an article featured on the Atlantic, Peter Beinart (2017) discusses the empty-church problem that the US faces today. He observes that many churches in the country have seen attendance rates fall sharply. He adds that more and more Americans are turning their backs on organized religion. Beinart’s assertions indeed ring true. White Americans are clearly losing the power and influence that allowed them to define the direction of the nation. It is predicted that the decline in the white population will continue. Census projections indicate that by 2045, white Americans will no longer be the majority (Frey, 2018). Instead, their proportion of the population will have dropped to levels where non-white communities become the majority.
The discussion on the changes that the US is undergoing would not be complete without an expression of personal opinion and experiences. Personally, I feel that the decline in the proportion of the white population is a blessing. This decline means that minorities now account for a larger share of the population. Every day, minorities endure a wide range of challenges. Many struggle in their efforts to access healthcare and education opportunities. I have witnessed first-hand as an African American friend was frisked by a policeman. While it is difficult to determine if the frisking was the because of his race, I strongly believe that he was racially profiled. The police in the US are known for singling out African Americans for such procedures as unwarranted searches and arrests. As their numbers continue to grow, I believe that African Americans and other minorities will gain a louder voice and will be able to defend their rights. I have also observed that the US is becoming more diverse. For example, my class is a reflection of the racial, religious and ethnic diversity of the country. It is made up of African Americans, Muslims, Asians and Americans. The diversity has allowed the class to expose us to different perspectives and experiences. This class serves as evidence that diversity will strengthen the United States and enhance its influence internationally.
In conclusion, the US is undergoing changes that are altering its demographic landscape. White Christians no longer constitute a majority of the population. Such factors as immigration and the declining influence of religion are among those responsible for the decrease in the proportion of White Americans. Other communities such as African Americans, Asians and Muslims are witnessing significant increases in their populations. The fact that White Americans are losing their dominance may worry many. These individuals should rest assured that diversity will serve the best interest of the country. Instead of being worried, they should celebrate the increasing diversity that the US continues to achieve.
References
Beinart, P. (2017). Breaking Faith. Retrieved May 8, 2018 from https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/04/breaking-faith/517785/
Frey, W. H. (2018). The US will become “Minority White” in 2045, Census Projects. Retrieved May 8, 2018 from https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2018/03/14/the-us-will-become-minority-white-in-2045-census-projects/
Mohamed, B. (2018). New Estimates Show U.S. Muslim Population Continues to Grow. Retrieved May 8, 2018 from http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/01/03/new-estimates-show-u-s-muslim-population-continues-to-grow/
U.S. Census Bureau. Population Estimates, July 1, 2017 (V2017). Retrieved May 8, 2018 From https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045216
Zoll, R. (2017). White Christians Now a Minority among US Population, Study Finds. Retrieved May 8, 2018 from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-population-white-christians-minority-immigration-atheism-religion-demography-evangelism-a7933601.html
