IntroductionDr. Marquita Byrd

Communication Studies San Jose State University

This is a partial face of the world.

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

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---familywork, social and political

National Identity in CrisisHow should we describe ourselves?

Melting Pot

Smorgasbord

Mosaic

River System

Creation and sharing of meaning

Between and among mainstream and tributary groups

Within the same geopolitical system

Different from the mainstream: exert historical, social, economic, and/or political influence on the whole

Racial

Ethnic

Religious

Gender

Sexual Orientation

Class

Age

Ability

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

Browning and Graying

People of Colour and Aging

Rough Breakdown

World Demographics

7 million+

African Descent 22%

Euro Descent 23%

Asian Descent 55%

China and India each over

1billion

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%

Gender 51% female 49% male

Children 15-20%

Gay and lesbian 20

Disabled 20%

Seniors(65+) 14%

Government

Military

Education

Medical

Social Services

Judicial/Criminal

Media

Technology

Are you Ready!