New Census Data Show Population/Power Shift

America’s political map is changing regarding Congressional seats thanks to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Immigrants and their children are partly responsible for that.

Let’s back up for a minute. According to new data from the Census Bureau, the U.S. population has been growing over the past decade at the lowest rate since 1940. (This country now has 308,745,538 people living in its borders and that represents a 9.7% increase.)

Part of the increase can be attributed to immigrants and their children and because of where they live, more Congressional seats are moving to the South and the West -specifically to Arizona, Nevada and Texas. According to an article in the New York Times, “…Population gains in the South and West were driven overwhelmingly by minorities, particularly Hispanics, and the new districts, according to the rules of redistricting, will need to be drawn in places where they live, opening potential advantages for Democrats, who tend to be more popular among minorities.”

This has big implications for the next presidential election, which is just two years away.
People should never underestimate the power of immigrants and their children!

Writing with Children of Immigrants

Just back from a writing session with fifth graders, many of whom are children of immigrants, at Strauch Elementary School in Natomas, California. About 30 exuberant children wrote stories based on some objects I brought into the classroom like a jar of peanut butter, a tea bag, and a red scarf. When they read their stories aloud, it brought smiles to many people's faces including my own. There was the story about a magic tea bag that could take away sorrows. Another one focused on the scarf and how it reminded him of his father and the peanut butter turned into a tale about a person named Skippy.

These children are America's future. They are learning in a classroom that is filled with words and visuals for a better tomorrow and high achieving hopes. I saw t shirts and sweatshirts featuring names of the colleges they represent. The American flag waves overhead as inspirational quotes and photographs are plastered on walls around the room.

It's an honor to meet these young Americans and it's infectious to feel their excitement about learning and sharing their writing gifts!