Recently Dr. Miguel Carranza, a professor of sociology and ethnic studies for UNL, spoke to educators on the topic of diversity in Nebraska. Dr. Carranza was born and raised in Kearney, Nebraska, and is Hispanic. His insights were very illuminating for many of the audience. His main point was there are two ways to see the growing diversity of Nebraska communities. They can be seen as a problem or as a challenge. Which of these two outlooks dominates our thinking over the next few years will have a huge impact on whether our community thrives and develops during the next decade.

Dr. Carranza shared a great deal of information. One fact stood out: by the year 2050, 25% of the United States will be Hispanic. This is already about the Hispanic percentage in Columbus. It is not inconceivable that by 2050 Columbus could be 30 to 50% Hispanic. This compares to about five percent ten or less years ago. What is bringing about this rising percentage of Hispanic presence?
Two factors have caused this. One is the small birthrate of Caucasians over the last three decades. The Hispanic family is having children at roughly double the rate of the white family. Simple math takes over. As white families have fewer and fewer children and Hispanic families have more and more, the percentage of white goes down and the percentage of Latino goes up.

A second major factor in the expansion of the Hispanic population in Columbus, and, indeed, America as a whole, is the need for workers. As current Americans do not produce enough children to fill available jobs, workers must be imported to keep plants and businesses operating. Without the Hispanic worker, many of our local manufacturing enterprises would not be able to operate.
So while the growing Hispanic population is inevitable if current birth and job trends continue, how we respond to this change is not set in stone. There are basically two ways we can integrate the new wave of immigrants into our community. We can see this as a problem and be reactive. Or we can see this as a challenge or an opportunity and be proactive.

If we see this situation as a problem, we will assume the worst about the new immigrants. We will look at the changes that are occurring as being negative. This will cause us to develop a defensive mindset that attempts to keep the lid on when conflicts between cultures arise. Such a mindset is also closed to looking for ways the new culture can enrich our community.

In contrast to this we can see the change in demographics as a challenge. We can look for opportunities for intercultural enrichment as we learn from one another. This will cause us to be proactive. The development of a vision of what we want a multicultural community to look like will be important to us. Plans and changes will be deliberately made through the work of community partners. Actions and plans will be geared toward broadening our understanding of one another, looking for the good in all people regardless of race or background, and developing strategies to help newcomers learn about our community and make connections as soon as they arrive.

Dr. Carranza stressed that this is an extremely important time in the history of our state. We have a window of opportunity to welcome a new culture into our communities. We can join with them in allowing increased diversity to enrich and strengthen our culture. It is important to remember, however, that this window of opportunity could be short. If we do not grasp the opportunity of making newcomers positive influences in our communities, we could see a growing dysfunction develop. This is a time of great opportunity for us, but it may not last long if we do not act soon.

There are two roads we can take. One leads to cooperation, cross cultural enrichment and better more fulfilled lives for all. This is caused by the joining of cultures for the mutual benefit of both. The other road leads to increasing conflict and division. This is caused by the separation of cultures that leads to growing hostility, segregation and misunderstanding. Which road will we follow in Columbus? Which type of community do we want out children and grandchildren to inherit?

Each of us is challenged to ask ourselves where we stand on this issue. Do I see increasing diversity as a challenge or a problem? If I see it as a positive challenge that can lead to community enrichment and development, what am I doing to help this vision become a reality?

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