FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The face of this country is changing dramatically. Consider these pretty staggering statistics: 47 percent of children in the U.S. under five-years-old are minorities; as are 43 percent of youngsters under 20 - that's according to new census data.
Today, 47 percent of American children under five years of age are minorities.
And there's more... as USA today reports, the United States is developing a significant generation gap between aging, white Baby Boomers and this younger, growing minority population.
Minorities now account for just over one-third of the total population; and although immigration is slowing, higher birth rates among Hispanics make them the fastest growing group. The Hispanic population is also younger - on average about 28 years old - than non-Hispanic whites, whose average age is about 41.
Among other things, these numbers mean that many Baby Boomers will be relying on this younger generation to take care of them in a lot of ways. In another generation, this will be the workforce supporting Social Security.
Already, about 10 percent of the nation's counties have a minority population above 50 percent. One of the counties that just became a "majority-minority" last year is Orange County, Florida - home to Disney World. The mayor says it's not a surprise to him, and that the county has always been "a snapshot of what America looks like."
Here’s my question to you: What will the U.S. look like 50 years from now?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Stephen from Pennsylvania writes:
I was born and Raised in Roseville, California. My 2nd grade class looked like the United Nations: Latinos, Italians, Chinese, Japanese, and a lot more. We used to celebrate each others’ holidays. Cinco d' Mayo, Obon, Chinese New Year, 4th of July, Veterans Day, Lions Club picnics. What has happened that we can't do this anymore? Have we become so separate that we can not be together? I hope we can go back to the past to become the future.
Ron from San Antonio, Texas writes:
Jack, I am very much afraid it will look a lot more like the town I live in: San Antonio, Texas. Have you heard the old commercials? "Texas, it’s like a whole other country." So, they are right.
Janelle from Missouri writes:
Jack, 50 years from now the U.S. will look like an impoverished 3rd world country. It will have absolutely nothing to do with anyone's ethnicity, but will be the result of our government bankrupting itself and every business in the country. The government won't be able to support the population when there's no one left to tax to pay for it.
Matthew from Orange, California writes:
The gene pool of the U.S. is really a minor factor in the face of issues like education, health care, employment, national security, immigration and self-responsibility. These factors will determine whether the future majority will live in a comfortable community or a slum.
Dee from Florida writes:
If we can learn to live with one another in peace and harmony, without any one ethnic, racial, or social group being ostracized or depressed, I think the U.S. will be a nice blend of the people of the world. And it's about time.
Andy writes:
Chances are that the U.S. will be the diverse melting pot it always has been, just maybe without all the old white guys running it. Chances are that the U.S. will be the diverse melting pot it always has been, just maybe without all the old white guys running it.