Some time after the year 2050, the population of the United States will be less than half white. In California, however, this seismic shift in demographics is due to take place before 2000. What happens in California, how the state chooses to adapt to its new identity, will have a tremendous impact on our future as a nation.With rare insight and humanity, Dale Maharidge introduces us to the underrepresented middle ground in a debate that has long been dominated by extremists of right and left. Taking the real-life experiences of four representative Californians -- Latino, black, white, Asian -- the Pulitzer Prize-winning author explores the impact of issues like immigration policy and affirmative action.