http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/2014/11/01/usa-today-diversity-index-reveals-changing-face-of-america/18183205/
Changing Face of America: Diversity reaches unprecedented levels
Andrea A McCarren, WUSA12:02 a.m. EDT November 1, 2014
WASHINGTON (WUSA9) --The Changing Face of America is a joint project with
USA Today examining diversity across the country and close to home.
Consider Northern Virginia—one of the nation's most diverse areas. In 1970,
the diversity index, which measures the chance that two random people are
different by race or ethnicity, was a 10. Today, it's a 69. By 2060, it's
expected to reach 77.
That means for the first time ever, the next person you meet in this
country – at work, in the library or at a coffee shop–will likely be of a
different race or ethnic group than you are.
Consider the Eden Center, where a Vietnamese flag snaps in the wind, right
next to an
American one. Hana Bui and her friends try to come here every week.
"We speak 100% Vietnamese only at this shopping center," she laughed.
Street signs and businesses may lead you to believe this is a bustling
strip mall in Vietnam, but it's actually in Northern Virginia.
"We've been together more than 50 years," Bui said.
She and her friends grew up in the same small town—Danang. Today, more than
8,600 miles from Central Vietnam, they're together again.
"I feel very happy!" said one of her friends, in broken English.
Local businesswoman Sophie Duong is living the American Dream, as the
co-owner of this restaurant and the radio station next door, which serves
the Vietnamese community in the United States.
"Vietnamese. Chinese. Koreans. Spanish. Everybody in the world is in
Northern Virginia," she said. "Diversity makes America powerful. More
powerful. Don't you think so?"
In Northern Virginia, you can even find a Korean Karaoke bar, and a
Hispanic grocery store specializing in foods from Central and South America.
Not even two miles away, a restaurant featuring the cuisine of Ghana.
"Ghanians are lovely people, always smiling, everybody's approachable. You
walk in, you see everybody smiling," said Emmanuel Ampomah, the owner of
Aburi Gardens, a popular restaurant and gathering place for Ghanaians.
"I would say it's a true United Nations here," said Rafi Ahmed, of
Pakistan, describing his Northern Virginia mosque. Two thousand men and
women from more than 40 countries come for the Friday prayer service.
"You will see many countries from Africa. Ghana. Ethiopia. Eritrea. From
Sierra Leone to Nigeria. Many people from Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
Pakistan. And you have people from Bosnia and Eastern Europe as well," said
Ahmed.
Here, diversity is embraced.
"Most importantly, food! My God, food is good! Ethiopian food, I love that.
Pakistani food. Ahhh," said Yaqub Zargarpur, of Afghanistan.
Diversity in Northern Virginia and in many parts of the country is surging.
The children of today facing a future with an even greater mix of race and
ethnicity.
So, how do Americans feel about its Changing Face? According to polling by
USA Today, almost half—49%—say our country will be "better off" as
communities continue to diversify. 25% said the country would be "worse
off."
For all the numbers and a glimpse into the future of -your- community, go
to:changingface.usatoday.com
Written by Andrea McCarren, WUSA9
Received on Sat Nov 01 2014 - 17:28:31 EDT