A Message from MALDEF on 20 Years of Latina/os as the Largest Minority Group

A message from MALDEF:  In 2003, Latinos surpassed African Americans to become the largest ethnic/racial minority group in the United States. The Census Bureau’s announcement prompted speculation that the demographic shift would reshape the national conversation around the social and economic divide in America.

But twenty years later, little has changed. Latinos largely remain closed out from much of the national conversation on key issues despite their growing numbers and remarkable contributions to the U.S., particularly during the pandemic.

Instead, the growth of the Latino community has sparked a backlash. In state after state, lawmakers are adopting measures intended to roll back the civil rights gains of the last 50 years. Emboldened by Donald Trump’s demonization of Latinos, many white supremacist leaders are resurrecting dangerous and false replacement theories intended to fuel racial fear among some and to target Latinos.

KJ