Capstone Checkpoint
Name
Axia College of University of Phoenix
Cultural Diversity
ETH 125
Instructor
September 16, 2010

Capstone Checkpoint This cultural diversity class has helped me to understand the social, cultural, and economic conditions that affect ethnic and racial groups in the U.S. Sometimes the fact that all citizens started as immigrants from other countries and faced similar struggles with assimilation is forgotten. The same struggles faced by the current influx of Hispanic Americans and other groups in America are the same social, cultural, and economic issues faced by previous ethnic and racial minority groups that are currently considered a staple of the U.S. population. My family is classified as part of the Japanese American cultural background; this was a particularly interesting learning area as it was something that I had never given much thought. I think the learning about the struggles my ancestors endured when they came to this country has helped me to view immigration and the treatment of immigrants much differently. The immigrant groups that are more prevalent today are part of America’s successful future and should be treated as such. Helping to make the average immigrant a contributing member of society through bilingual education and programs making the transition easier will benefit America as well as the immigrant. By the year 2050 America will continue to grow in racial and ethnic diversity, particularly with the Hispanic, Arab American, and Muslim populations. Recent years have shown progress toward more acceptance in society in regard to ethnic and racial minorities in positions of governmental power. By 2050 I am confident that discrimination in society towards any racial or ethnic group will be nearly nonexistent and minorities in the U.S. will play much larger roles in leading our country.