Advance of the Amber Americans

The idea that America, as we know it today, would turn into the land of the yellows, the browns and the blacks in a short span of 34 years may be disconcerting to many conservative Americans. Caucasians have long dominated the population in terms of numbers, and the world at large has long gotten used to the country's predominantly white citizens as the traditional face of the American race. The minority status of Caucasian Americans is perhaps nature's way of reversing fortunes, and the acceptance or rejection of this evolution by the present generation will determine the smooth transition, or rough sailing, of this event.

The native Americans never quite reached that point of being dominant as they were decimated beyond ever becoming a majority in the nation's demographics. Prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus, they were all over the land. But they were unable to deter the illegal immigrants from pouring in great numbers time and again, violating their borders, slaughtering their livestock, destroying the environment, and destabilizing the ecological balance. They were unprepared for the massive influx of undocumented illegals whose weaponry were far superior to their arrows and spears. They were driven to wastelands after being reduced to less than a fraction of their number, where their way of life and beliefs would be eroded by psychological and cultural damage, to just wither and fade.

The US Census Bureau estimates that by 2042, or 8 years earlier than expected, Hispanics, Asians, and all other races combined will become the majority. No mention was made of Middle Eastern nationalities, but it will be a population that's different in age, race and ethnicity. However, the Caucasians will still be the major population group, accounting for 46 to 48%. The Census Bureau qualified its projections by stating that the numbers are subject to big revisions depending on immigration policies, and natural and/or man made disasters. This does not mean that government and industry would all be headed by non-Caucasians at the time, as many of these Amber Americans would probably still be children and infants.

But there would be changes in the landscape. We would see more tea houses than Starbucks; a lot of Dimsum, Sushi bars and Taco outlets, and a lot less of McDonalds; and plenty of steamed buns, spring rolls and Tamales outnumbering the hot dog stands 3 to 1. Kentucky Fried Chicken may probably be outsold by Yan's Peking Duck or Nguyen's Pho Bo, or even Pacita's Halo-Halo. There will also be changes in daily wear as traditional clothing of the more conservative members from various ethnic groups would dot the urban and suburban areas. Or, the American flag could be seen printed on a turban wrapped around the heads of many Asian men. The American accent may also undergo changes and its distinctions may be blurred (as in the Boston, New York, or Mid-West accent), and new words would enrich the American vocabulary - although these may not be immediately understood by all. Religion may be predominantly Catholic, or Buddhist, or Hindu.

Hollywood will produce movies in various languages, all with English sub-titles; and televison talk show hosts will have new faces. The Late Show with Dan Wong and Tonight Show with Juan Lanuza will top bill the airwaves. Country music and all other genre will sound funny compared to what it sounds today. Newspapers and publications will also have very different formats and concepts. US Ambassadors may be ethnically from the countries they are assigned to, and this could foster better understanding and world peace.

However, the reverse is also true. The ethnicity may engender divisions and bitter conflict among the competing races that may result in ethnic re-grouping; where the different states are dominated by a particular ethnic group. The unfortunate effect would be the break-up of the states into independent countries; and worse, warring among themselves.

There are many possibilities, some positve, some negative. How this is handled and managed by the country's leaders up to that point will establish how truly noble America is, and how much this rich aggrupation of culture and divergence could be harnessed and molded to make it the greatest country on earth. Or, the paranoia of many members of its current dominant population could impede this development, and it would lose the source of its wealth and power - as well as the intangible values that would make it the citadel of justice and equality. That is the saddest development of all.

Haaarrrwwwwk...Twoooooooph...Ting!