Synthèse Espaces et Echanges

Synthesis on spaces and exchanges

I will introduce you to the notion of Spaces and Exchanges. First of all, I would like to give a definition of this notion: A society can be approached from the double point of view of its cohesion and openness, which raises questions about its inscription in the world. The geography of trade channels and influence networks, but also the discoveries and conquest of new lands are cultural areas that often transcend national boundaries. To illustrate my notion, I will talk about the changes that immigrants face or cause in America. Then, we wonder: What are the effects of immigration for America? At first, we will focus on the demographic shift today and in the future, then, the opportunity that Latinos represent in the United States and finally what immigrants bring to the new country.

1. The demographic shift today and in the future

In the classroom, we have studied a graph on the population by race and Hispanic origin. This graph shows the current racial population in regard to 2060 projection. The percentage reveal there is going to be an important decline in the number of white Americans while the Hispanic, Black and Asian populations will increase. That’s to say, White people will no longer make up a majority of the American population by 2060. Therefore, A historic shift is taking place and is reshape the nation, which means that his new demographic mosaic will have a huge impact on the nation’s schools, economy, workforce and electorate. For example, the 44th president of the United States (2009 to 2017), Barack Obama was Black. Furthermore, documents 2 and 3 show us that cities like Cincinnati, Austin or Washington DC are considered multi-ethnic cities dominated by Latin American, East African and Asian communities.

1. The opportunity that Latinos represent in the United States

The new strength of America lies in the explosive growth of the Latin American population. Indeed, it could be that by 2050, Latinos represent 26% of the American population. In document 6, it is stated that " Latino youth are many of our future doctors, lawyers and schoolteachers " and that “America’s future economic well-being and competitiveness is increasingly contingent on the success of the Latino population”. So, we can say that America is on the threshold of a unique demographic opportunity and that the Hispanic population represents the future of America. Furthermore, the Latin American population creates its own culture, such as the emergence of a new language: Spanglish.  Also called the ad lingo, is used more and more in commercials to promote new products as it targets the Hispanic community. However, among the Latino youngsters, it's already a common way of communicating which may be prevailing in the near future. It's already widespread and it will impact more and more on American culture and its economy according to some specialists.

1. What immigrants bring to their new country

Thanks to many testimonials and many articles, in class, we have been able to determine that are the causes of the arrival of certain immigrants to the United States, but also what that immigrants bring new to the country. Indeed, according to the testimony of the migrant Umar, the reasons for his arrival in America are the desire for a better life for his mother and him following the death of his father, but also, the construction of a future in a country or there is no corruption and where is no " broken education". In document 5, it is said that the arrival of immigrants generates the creation of many jobs. In fact, the Dallas-Fort Worth area created more jobs in 2014 than any other metropolitan area in the country. On the other hand, many immigrants come to live in America because they see the country as a refuge. Indeed, Document 9 is an article where ScreyReath Kuy testifies to the violence that he and his family have suffered and have fled, I refer to the “Killing Fields” genocide. He tells us that arrived in America "was not easy but that they were safe and free" and that they were very grateful for that.

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