by Thomas M. Moncure, Jr.
Reliable estimates place the number of Virginia residents born outside the United States at 12% to 15%. In 2012, for the first time since about 1650, a majority of residents were born outside of Virginia. And this native count includes first-borns who live in homes where Farsi or Hindi or Spanish is spoken. Ethnic Virginians -โ those of us more than three generations deep — are now a distinct and shrinking minority in the Commonwealth.
This onrush of aliens has obvious political consequences: Virginia turning from red to blue. A more subtle, if more substantial consequence, is dramatic cultural change. Coming from foreign places like Guatemala or Foggy Bottom, these new residents tend to focus on the national or international. They have some awareness of the federal precedents -โ the coming 4th of July holiday is a reminder โ- but know little or nothing of the contribution of Virginia and the Virginians.
We ethnic Virginians have been remarkably poor stewards of our own history. June 12 marks the 248th anniversary of the adoption of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the single most important document in the development of American constitutional liberty. In a more perfect Virginia this would be the most celebrated date on the calendar. (more…)
by Dick Hall-Sizemore
