I was eating breakfast in McDonald's this morning, and there were about 20 other patrons eating there as well. I noticed that I was the only white person in the place. All the staff and all the patrons were Hispanic.

It was almost like being in Japan again, where I was, of course, a minority.

So I was thinking about the word, and how we use it, and what it means.

I've seen various projections about when Hispanics will become the majority racial classification in Texas, probably some time within the next 10-20 years. Of course I think that's just fine. I happen to think America is defined by its ideals, and as long as it remains true to democratic ideals, free speech, freedom of religion, and human rights, I don't care what our racial makeup is (though I do think it's important to have a certain amount of diversity, and a steady influx of legal immigrants).

But I was wondering when, or if, whites would become a minority class, and what that would mean. Or does minority not mean simple numbers? To most, does it mean a power differential? I would imagine within much of the multicultural mindset, whites never could be a minority.

Personally, I hope by the time whites become a minority in number, at least in my own state, nobody will be considered a minority in any form, with its derogatory connotation of helplessness and victimization.

Is that too much to wish for?