This best-selling Race & Ethnic Relations text is grounded in a socio-historical perspective with engaging stories and first person accounts. Racial and Ethnic Groups helps students understand the changing dynamics of the U.S. population. By using a socio-historical perspective, the author frames issues by examining our history, exploring the current situation, and discussing the concerns for the future.

Racial and ethnic relations in the United States are at a dynamic and exciting time. Major events are shaping our society, such as population and immigration changes, the election of the first African-American president, and increasing diversity throughout our society.

This census update has taken advantage of the September 2009 release of the American Community Survey and the information calculated from the 2009 Annual Social and Economical Supplements to the Current Population Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. The authors have also taken the opportunity to include additional information on the first year of the Obama administration, passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the 2009 Ricci v. DeStefano “reverse discrimination” case, the controversy over the arrest of Henry Louis Gates Jr. in his home, the creation of a new citizenship test, and the addition of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. Also, information throughout the text has been updated, including over 40 tables and figures, all top 10 lists, and more.