Globalization, Race, and Ethnic Tension in American Society

Introduction: Immigration and the Changing American Social Landscape

Since the influx of immigrants into the United States in the late twentieth century, the social landscape has radically changed. The once-predominantly white American society has become a "melting pot" for cultures, societies, and races from around the world. At present, American society is no longer dominated by white Americans; its population is a mix of Asian, African, Caucasian, and Latino races and cultures, forming a hybrid society in which white American influence no longer holds the same dominance it once did.

This is the issue explicitly discussed in the works of Andrew Barlow and Dale Maharidge, authors of Between Fear and Hope and The Coming White Minority, respectively. In these texts, the issue of racial diversity in the context of emerging globalization in contemporary American society is contemplated, and both authors offer their own interpretations to describe the social phenomena and dynamics occurring in the country today.

Looking at each author's arguments, one dominant theme emerges: increased racism results from the increased diversity and multiculturalism of America, intensified by the country's integration into globalization as the prevailing economic system of the modern world. That is, globalization allowed white culture to "mix" with other ethnic cultures, creating a proximity that produced racial tension as different cultures sought to assert themselves on a common ground — the American nation and society.

Maharidge and the California Model of Racial Tension

Dale Maharidge introduced the phenomenon of racial and ethnic tension as a result of years of increased immigration into America, using the state of California as his primary example. Maharidge presents California as the best illustration of the "melting pot" model that describes American society today: a hybrid mix of white American, Black American, Asian, Latino, and Middle Eastern communities. The case of California demonstrates the racial tension between white Americans and the ethnic minorities who are gradually becoming a larger presence in American society.

In response to feelings of "invasion" felt by white Americans, they have begun erecting social "walls" that distinguish themselves from ethnic minorities, which inevitably translates into animosity between the two groups. What results from this animosity is a "push and pull" dynamic in which white Americans invoke their historical privileges in American society, while ethnic minorities respond by antagonizing white Americans — a cycle that, unfortunately, can escalate into deviant behavior and conflict.

The increased proximity and corresponding racial tension between the two groups are intensified by the dynamics of globalization operating within American society and economy. These economic forces draw both groups into the same labor market and social spaces, making the friction all the more persistent and difficult to resolve.

Globalization as an Economic Driver of Ethnic Friction

Globalization induces economic growth through increased business activity in the United States, and the American economy responds to this expansion by demanding more labor to accomplish daily business operations. Because the cost of labor among ethnic minorities is relatively lower than the wages commanded by white Americans, members of ethnic minority groups are increasingly employed to fill these roles. As a result, white Americans and minorities are brought together by economic forces: white Americans by virtue of their economic privileges, and ethnic minorities by their economic need to survive and pursue the American dream of prosperity.

This economic interdependence does not dissolve racial tension — it sharpens it. Competition for employment and economic resources in a globalized economy means that different racial and ethnic groups are constantly navigating the same spaces while carrying deeply unequal starting positions. The structural advantages held by white Americans, combined with the economic urgency felt by ethnic minorities, create a volatile social environment in which racial friction becomes a near-inevitable outcome.

Conclusion: Monitoring Racism in a Globalized America

Barlow believed that racism is integral to the white American psyche and that American society is structured in a manner that favors white Americans while providing fewer — or no — opportunities for ethnic minorities. This structural reality underscores the need for constant vigilance and the active monitoring of possible occurrences of colorblind racism. Together, Maharidge and Barlow argue that a genuinely equitable, globalized America requires not only awareness of these dynamics but ongoing, open dialogue and policy scrutiny to ensure that diversity becomes a source of strength rather than a catalyst for division.