Having greater numbers doesn’t mean more power

Howard Grantham, Las Vegas

Sunday, May 2, 2010 | 2:02 a.m.

Much has been recently printed in opinion pieces and heard in popular commentary regarding racial demographics and an increase in the percentage of minority racial groups in our national population.

The simplistic idea that holding a larger portion of the population correlates directly with political and socioeconomic power is not, from my perspective, backed by evidence from any point in human history.

For example, at the height of apartheid in South Africa in 1978, the white population was around 4.5 million, compared with a black population of 19 million. No one would seriously argue that black people held significant power in South Africa in 1978. Many other examples abound from the history of white colonialism.

Political power in the United States is determined by congressional representation, which is determined by district. Total U.S. population demographics are far less controversial when viewed by racial and ethnic composition of individual districts.

Socioeconomic power, which is currently held primarily by the white population, is unlikely to change due to an increase in immigration or birth among minority groups. In conclusion, it seems to me that a great deal of energy is being spent arguing and worrying about a number (percent of total population), which really has very little to do with any of the subjects of concern.

As a progressive, I welcome discussion of fair representation and also fair opportunity for anyone to participate and prosper in our national economy. However, when a relatively arbitrary number is used to incite racial tension and unreasonable fears, I believe we should all take a little time to educate ourselves before jumping to ridiculous conclusions.