Book Reviewed: Brown is the new white, by Steve Phillips

A political analysis of the evolution of progressive voters in America (four stars)

In this book entitled “Brown is the new white,” author Steve Phillips analyzes how immigrants and African Americans have evolved in the American political landscape since Barrack Obama was elected to the highest office in the nation. He uses the statistical data to show that progressive whites and non-white population have silently merged to form a new voting majority (the author calls this New American Majority). The demography has changed not only due to immigration from Asia and Latin America but also the assimilation of second and third generations of immigrants and mixed marriages. This conclusion is based on the National Academies of Sciences report issued last year. This reports shows immigrants are more educated and better English speakers than their predecessors, and they are far less likely to commit a crime compared to the native-born. They are quickly becoming part of American communities, says the report. Mixed marriages are also increasingly common in America. Recent Pew Research Center report finds that 26% of Hispanics marry a non-Hispanic, and 28% of Asians marry non-Asians. The Census Bureau also predicts that non-Hispanic whites outnumber whites in America by as early as 2044

In the Appendix section of the book, the author shows his statistical data (Tables) and some interesting facts emerge from his study. The New American Majority, the progressive voters are highest in the following states; HI, VT, DE, MD and CA (top five on the list). The bottom of the list includes WY, UT and AL. This is an interesting analysis, and I recommend this book to anyone interested in political science and sociology.