A Diverse Society

The United States is a diverse country with a population that reflects a range of ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds. Different regions of the country (and sometimes different neighborhoods in the same city) have distinct cultures as well (see Figure 5.1). You have a unique cultural background and communication style that differ in some ways from those of others. So, to function as a member of such a diverse society, you need to be able to communicate appropriately and effectively with a wide variety of individuals. Two key parts of this process include understanding your own cultural expectations for communication and respecting those of others.

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Figure 5.1: FIGURE 5.1 U.S. CENSUS DATA INDICATING INCREASED DIVERSITY IN THE NATION
Figure 5.1: Source: U.S. Census Bureau; numbers have been rounded.