This document discusses the importance of multicultural communication and provides demographic information about the United States' changing population. It notes that communication is complex, especially across cultures, and that studying multicultural communication allows one to better understand themselves and deal with oppression. The U.S. is described as a nation of communities from different backgrounds. Statistics are given showing the rising diversity, with racial minorities projected to outnumber non-Hispanic whites by 2050. Various institutions are said to need preparation for these demographic changes.

1. Introduction
Dr. Marquita Byrd
Communication Studies San Jose State University

2. This is a partial face of the world.

3.  Most people take communication for granted
 Overly simplistic understanding
 Very Complex
 Communication is a risky business
 Multicultural is even more risky
different experiences shaped by
various demographics and cultures

4. Multicultural Nation
A Nation of communities
A community of communities
 Why Study?
1. Become acquainted with self and
“stranger” at home
2. Oppression, no matter what the
basis, is still oppression and we
have all experienced it
3. Multicultural permeates every
aspect of our lives---family
work, social and political

5. National Identity in Crisis
How should we describe ourselves?
 Melting Pot
 Smorgasbord
 Mosaic
 River System

6.  Creation and sharing of meaning
 Between and among mainstream and
tributary groups
 Within the same geopolitical system

7.  Different from the mainstream: exert historical,
social, economic, and/or political influence on the
whole
 Racial
 Ethnic
 Religious
 Gender
 Sexual Orientation
 Class
 Age
 Ability

8.  Physical territory, land, geography occupied
by people connected by one governing body
or political system
 Common territory
 Common language
 Shared group identity
 Understand interrelatedness
 Compete for same resources
 Shared economic system
 Same government

9. Browning and Graying
People of Colour and Aging

10. Rough Breakdown
 World Demographics
 7 million+
 African Descent 22%
 Euro Descent 23%
 Asian Descent 55%
 China and India each over
 1billion

11.  African Americans 12.5 %
 Asian-Pacific Islanders 6%
 Europeans 69%
 Hispanics 12.9%
 Native1%
2050
 AA 15%
 AP 08%
 Euro 53%
 His 25%
 Native 1%

12.  Gender 51% female 49% male
 Children 15-20%
 Gay and lesbian 20
 Disabled 20%
 Seniors(65+) 14%

13.  Government
 Military
 Education
 Medical
 Social Services
 Judicial/Criminal
 Media
 Technology
Are you Ready!