William Booth

In the following viewpoint, Washington Post staff writer William Booth discusses the implications of America’s changing racial and ethnic demographics. The recent wave of Hispanic and Asian immigrants is raising concerns about the future of American national identity, he points out. While the U.S. population is becoming more diverse, a disturbing amount of ethnic segregation and racial discord persists. Tensions increase as native-born Americans and immigrants compete for jobs, neighborhoods, and political power, maintains Booth. Many immigrants, furthermore, cling to their ethnic heritage and resist identifying themselves as American. In the end, some experts claim, massive immigration could create a nation that is sharply divided by regional, economic, and cultural differences.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Booth, when did the United States experience its largest wave of...