Final answer:
The claim that individual and institutional racism are nearly non-existent in the United States is false, as racism persists in various forms and continues to affect different racial and ethnic groups.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that both individual racism and institutional racism seem to be declining in the United States, and the differences between white and nonwhite ethnic groups are now almost non-existent is false. Although there have been improvements and significant legislative changes like The Civil Rights Act of 1964, racism is still prevalent toward many racial and ethnic groups in the United States, including Native Americans, Arab Americans, Jewish Americans, and Asian Americans.
Furthermore, institutional racism, which is racism perpetrated by social and political institutions, continues to affect large groups of people, indicating disparities that still exist within society. For example, white privilege can be seen in social dynamics wherein white individuals are more likely to encounter authority figures of their own race, affecting their interactions with institutions. Moreover, voting rates in the U.S. are not higher than in most democratic industrialized countries. Racial and ethnic diversity is increasing in the U.S. population and workforce, indicating ongoing changes in societal dynamics. It is also noted that Asian Americans are often referred to as the "model minority," reflecting societal perceptions and stereotypes.