Ethnic Minorities
The proportion and composition of ethnic minorities vary widely by country. A number of minority ethnic groups face high levels of state-sponsored repression. Most of this is occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria (Ijaw), Angola (Cabinda), South Sudan (Nuba), Uganda (Acholi), Burundi (Hutus); the Middle East: Israel (Palestinians), Iraq (Kurds), Afghanistan (Pashtuns, Hazaras); Central Asia: Turkey (Kurds), Azerbaijan (Armenians), Russia (Chechens), Kyrgyzstan (Uzbeks), China (Turkmen); and South Asia: India (Kashmiris, Assamese, Bodos), Burma (Zomis, Shans, Karens), Thailand (Malay), Indonesia (Acehnese, Papuans), Philippines (Moros).
In the US, approximately 28% of the population identify themselves as non-white: Black (13%), other (6%), Asian (5%), mixed-race (3%), or Native-American (1%). Sixteen percent (almost 1 out of every 6 people in the US) identify as Hispanic/Latino. Approximately half of this group identifies as not White.
One in four whites opposes a close relative marrying a black person. Over 1 in 5 whites rate white people as more intelligent than black people and over 40% believe that white people are more hardworking compared to black people. Finally, a majority of white Americans believe that racism against blacks is widespread. 59% of those in state prison for drug offenses are black, despite the fact that they comprise only 12% of the population of drug users. Almost one-third of Americans hold an “unfavorable” opinion of Arab-Americans. Overall, over 3,000 racially-motivated hate crimes were reported in the US in 2010.
Among US racial groups, Native Americans have the highest proportion in poverty (28%), lacking health insurance (29%), dependent on alcohol (as much as 10%), and lowest level of educational attainment (49% HS graduation rate). Violence accounts for 75% of all youth (12-20) deaths and Native American youth experience the highest rates of suicide of any group in the US.
US Census Bureau – Overview of Race and Hispanic Origin (2010)
Arab American Institute – Demographics
Social Trends in the United States 1972-2008 – The Real Record on Racial Attitudes
Gallup – Majority of Americans Say Racism Against Blacks Widespread
NAACP – Criminal Justice Fact Sheet
Arab American Institute – The American Divide: How We View Arabs and Muslims
Federal Bureau of Investigation – Hate Crime Statistics (2010)
Aspen Institute Center for Native American Youth – Fast Facts