Race and Ethnicity Native Americans Hispanics Asians

Native Americans--history Conquest and removal Trail of tears -1860s creation of the reservation system

History, contd Assimilation 1880s-1930s -Tribes “de-recognized” -Residential boarding schools

Native Americans today-- political conditions -Since 1920s are U.S. citizens, pay federal taxes -since 70’s tribes have greater autonomy: have their own govts, laws and police -but must obey US court interpretations of treaties and laws which apply to them

Native Americans Today--social conditions Today about 1 percent--depending less than 50% living on reservations highest rates of alcoholism, unemployment, low life expectancies, infant mortality Casino boom beginning in 80s -Federal law gives tribes right to offer gambling, negotiated with the state -mostly benefiting a few small tribes near urban areas

Hispanics Largest American “minority” at over 12% politically under-represented -some not citizens, young population, lower voting rates -but growing in political strength · “socially conservative, economically liberal” -a big prize for the two major parties Predominantly Democrat, but not Cubans and Central Americans in Miami, Mexicans in Texas, etc.

Asians/Pacific Islanders 4% nationally, but fastest growing ethnic “group” Economically various: Indian-Americans on average wealthier than Caucasians, Laotians, Hmong, Khmer poorer. Politically: -Like Hispanics, under-represented, but voter rates growing -Asians in CA mostly Dem, but often more conservative than other minorities/neighboring whites -differences between nationalities/ethnicities

Mixed race 2000 Census the first to allow choosing multiple racial categories by 3rd generation, most Asians and Latinos marry outside ethnicity

Whites become a minority