2007年VOA标准英语-Minority Populations Growing in Many US Distric

By Brian Wagner
Miami, Florida
15 August 2007
 

U.S. minority population are expanding

New data from the U.S. Census¹ Bureau shows that black, Asian, Hispanic and other minority populations are expanding in many districts where whites were once dominant². VOA's Brian Wagner reports that experts say the changes may strain race relations and immigrant ties, especially in some smaller communities.

Big U.S. cities have long been centers of diversity, where many minorities and immigrants make their homes. But new figures from the U.S. Census Bureau show that minority communities are expanding in several parts of the nation, and in some cases surpassing the size of white communities. Officials say one in 10 counties [districts within states] now are home to more minority residents than whites.

For decades, south Florida has been home to many Hispanic immigrants who are now moving to areas with smaller minority populations, says Emily Eisenhauer of Florida International University. "Immigrant and Hispanic families have tended to be moving out of Miami and into northern Florida, towards smaller communities. That is a trend I would not be surprised to see in the rest of the country too."

Fellow researcher Alejandro Angee adds that many minorities move out of big cities in search of the same comforts as other Americans. "Whether you are African-American, from Asia, Latin America -- after you establish yourself in the country for awhile, you begin to think and act as a typical American family and look for the same things: a bigger house, a place where you do not have to drive an hour to work."

Experts say expanding minority numbers are partly a result of higher birth rates among minorities and the flow of new immigrants.

Maria Rodriguez, of the Florida Immigrant Coalition³, says the changing balance between minority and majority white populations is likely to have a political impact. "One of the most important factors when talking about immigrants and political power is that immigrants now have more power across the country. It is not limited to areas traditionally considered immigrant."

Immigration has been a hot political topic this year, as President Bush pressed Congress to approve sweeping⁴ changes to immigration rules and border security. The proposals failed to win approval, partly over concerns about illegal immigration. As the debate continues about needed reforms, Angee says the latest census data may polarize the issue.

"Activists⁵ who would like to see a community integrated and more diverse, might push a little more. On the other hand, we might have a push of people saying we do not want these [immigrants] in our community."

Still, researcher Eisenhauer expresses hope that the spread of minority populations in the country will foster increased efforts at integration⁶ among different groups.

"Discrimination still exists. But most people that I have talked to seem to be pretty tolerant and are able to laugh at things that happen. I am pretty optimistic as far as small communities go."

Last year, the census reported the U.S. minority population had grown to more than 100 million people. Officials predict minority residents will account for half of the nation's population by 2050.

1 census   

n.(官方的)人口调查，人口普查

参考例句：

• A census of population is taken every ten years.人口普查每10年进行一次。
• The census is taken one time every four years in our country.我国每四年一次人口普查。

2 dominant   

adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因

参考例句：

• The British were formerly dominant in India.英国人从前统治印度。
• She was a dominant figure in the French film industry.她在法国电影界是个举足轻重的人物。

3 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

4 sweeping   

adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的

参考例句：

• The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
• Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？

5 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 integration   

n.一体化，联合，结合

参考例句：

• We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
• This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。