By Mary van Tamelen

Differences based on race and ethnicity are important, Morning Forum members were told last week, but it is important to get away from emotionalism in dealing with them.

Luis R. Fraga, associate professor and director of undergraduate studies at Stanford University, combined political science and politics in his speech regarding race and ethnicity and the future of California. His enthusiasm and eloquence on the subject are evidenced by his numerous teaching awards.

We are at a pivotal point in our political evolution, Fraga said, and it is important now to think critically and creatively about race. Although our democracy was founded upon principles of equality and justice, there has been a deficiency in our history regarding those issues - a deficiency that led to a civil war, and one that a healthy democracy should learn from.

Using U.S. census data from 2000, and the census classifications of white, Latino, black and Asian, Fraga presented statistics showing that California is now a state with the minorities in the majority. It is predicted that by 2075 the nation as a whole will have followed this trend. Thus, we are in a position to lead the way and set the path for creative and healthy diversification for the country.

The sources of the population growth of minorities are both immigration and birth rate; native births account for five to six times as much increase as immigration. Meanwhile, the white population has declined because of lower birth rates, plus an increase in older people - there are five times as many whites as Asians over 65.

And what about political power? Whites still do most (currently 71 percent) of the voting in California. But from 1992 to 2000, the percentages of Latino and Asian voters doubled, that of blacks stayed the same, and that of whites declined by 10 percent.

After the 1994 passage of Proposition 187, which Latinos perceived as race-targeted, they began registering and voting in much greater numbers. Propositions 209 and 227 were also perceived as racial attacks.

Fraga examined in detail the electoral results in California statewide races from 1990 to 2000. Whereas whites mostly determined the election results, often the split was narrow enough to enhance the influence of Latinos.

Fraga said white voters will determine the future of the state; they are in a strategically advantaged position to embrace differences.

Latino voters are becoming increasingly effective. Latino leaders are in a good position so long as they don’t run the risk of alienating whites.

And each of us can choose what sort of state we will have; the future of democracy is in the control of our state. We will be setting the pattern of coalitions and cooperation. The most important thing is to talk, honestly and openly, about our preferences, our similarities and our differences.

Morning Forum is a members-only lecture series held at the United Methodist Church of Los Altos. To get on a waiting list for membership, write to: Morning Forum, P.O. Box 274, Los Altos 94023-0274.