The US Census: How accurate is it?

[AKA2D '91]

There have been reports that 75% of Middle Eastern Americans consider themselves white. And when bi-racial individuals list themselves as black and something else (other), they are considered as black.

I'm interested in knowing how do those bi-racial individuals feel being labeled as black?

Would this give us an accurate account of America? I know there were many that did not complete the census questionnaires for 2000. I completed mine, did you?

[AKA_Monet]

I thought legally, folks could put down any thing they wanted to in regards to ethnic categories? Even if it was other or Martian...

I dunno what to think about your question... I do consider myself of Afrikan descent--which is black for all practical purposes. But my BULLISHT "racial" classification does not coincide with my true genetic heritage--Which is more important to me than just being classified by an archaic system that dictates "there's mo' negroes than you can shake a stick at"...

So my issue is if the Census just classifies folk irregardless of what was selected, then is the Census (consensus) still be trying to make sure "THEY" keep us negroes in our places???? Hmmmmm????

Let's hear it for Apartheidic history in the making... It's the Final Solution!!!

whatever...

[markmywords]

Throughout the years the census has been incorrect. Most of the Black population doesn't respond. It has also been shown over several of the recent censuses (sp?) that many of the Hispanic population consider themselves White.

[RedefinedDiva]

Yes, I filled out the census. I want to be accounted for. IThe census is like hit-or-miss. Not everyone responds. Some people don't put an accurate accounting of their race, such as Hispanics. I don't totally disagree with the fact that those Americans that classify themselves as bi-racial are labeled as Black, considering one of their races is Black). Technically they are. It goes way back to slavery and beyond, where it was stated that if you have one drop of Black blood in your veins, you are Black. If that were he case, then EVERYONE is Black, but that's another issue and another thread.

I do think that the census should further update and include a catergories for bi-racial Americans, such as Black/White, Black/Hispanic, White/Hispanica, etc. However, IMHO, I think that some of the classifications are outrageous. Some people go too far. They check other and list themselves as Black/White/Hispanic/Haitian/Italian/Swedish/Inuit/Aboriginal/German. Just because their great-great-great grandmother's aunt who's cousin has a niece on your daddy's side is Swedish DOES NOT make you such. If you are 1/256 Swedish, keep it to yourself, especially if you don't celebrate or acknowledge that part of your heritage in daily life. Because of the way America is, if I look at you and you look Black, then that's what you are. Not many people will take the time to figure it out.

[Honeykiss1974]

In reagrds to people of Middle Eastern descent, its not that THEY consider themselve white, but the gov't classifies them as WHITE. I distinctly remember looking at one of those "voluntary information" questionairs and it stated that white was someone that was either of middle eastern descent or someone of non-african heritage.

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by RedefinedDiva
They check other and list themselves as Black/White/Hispanic/Haitian/Italian/Swedish/Inuit/Aboriginal/German. Just because their great-great-great grandmother's aunt who's cousin has a niece on your daddy's side is Swedish DOES NOT make you such. If you are 1/256 Swedish, keep it to yourself.

Now this right here had me ctfu!!!

Ok, here is the deal on the Middle Easterners. ALL of the peoples of northern Afrika are considered Caucasian. Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, ALL of it. My theory? That way they can say that the pyramids were built by White people. I can think of no other reason for that mess.

Ok, as far as Hispanics considering themselves White... We have to remember that only here in Amerikkka do we have these crazy @$$ racial lines and stuh. In other countries (spanish speaking ones, specifically), there are White Hispanics, Black Hispanics, and a ton of Mestizos (mixed). So when we say many Hispanics "consider" themselves White, that leaves the open assumption that they are not, when that's not true. For example, I work with a lady from Puerto Rico. Her skin is white (or whatever :rollleyes: ). She said she was shocked to find out she was hispanic or whatever, because she had always considered herself White. She does, however, recognize that she is Latina. The word hispanic doesn't exist in the Spanish language the way that we use it here. It is more of a geographic connotation than it is a racial one. You have the Iberian peninsula (Spain & Portugal) and you have Hispano-America (South America and Central America). Now, if you ask a "hispanic" person if he or she is LATINO/A, then they will say YES!!! Sounds like semantics to us, but it's not. I hope this helps. All that studying in undergrad was not for naught afterall!

The census is not an accurate count. First of all, think of all that can change in the span of 10 years. Then, like you said, non-Americans classify themselves differently than our government would like. The even larger problem now is the growing population of Somali refugees. Well, I have a question. Does EVERYONE fill out the census, or just citizens? Because if that's the case, then it's definitely off. You have a grip of illegal immigrants here, who are surely not counted. And back to the Somali thing, they would be counted as Black. I'm not EVEN gon' tell yall how the melanin deficient women at my job couldn't tell the difference between a Black American and a Somali(-American). I thought to myself, it's 2002 and we STILL all look alike.

Yes, I completed the census, only cuz the lady caught me at the door. I didn't want to complete it, cuz I just honestly don't see the point. I'm one of those conspiracy theorists, in case you didn't know, lol.

[BLUTANG]

Originally posted by Ideal08

Well, I have a question. Does EVERYONE fill out the census, or just citizens? Because if that's the case, then it's definitely off. You have a grip of illegal immigrants here, who are surely not counted.

To my understanding, every household is asked to fill out the census. But in the case of non-documented (illegal) immigrants, they shy away from responding b/c they thing the information will be reported back to INS or something. There are so many inaccuracies in the Census, from miscounting of homeless people, to people who refuse to respond, to the people who fill out forms incorrectly, and so on and so forth. However, in my opinion it's better than nothing.

[ClassyLady]

Originally posted by Ideal08

Ok, here is the deal on the Middle Easterners. ALL of the peoples of northern Afrika are considered Caucasian. Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, ALL of it. My theory? That way they can say that the pyramids were built by White people. I can think of no other reason for that mess.

Girl, you hit that nail right on the head!!!

My mother has taught me that Caucasians have been trying to take credit for the pyramids since I was about four or five. Actually, I remember when I had to the The Catcher in the Rye in high school that there is a passage that says that Holden's teacher had taught them that the Egyptians were a group of Caucasians living in Northern Africa. That's why you always see people like Elizabeth Taylor playing Cleopatra.

[Dionysus]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
There have been reports that 75% of Middle Eastern Americans consider themselves white.

Now, a lot of Arabs are DARKER than some blacks. How the hell do people consider them as WHITE?

EDITED: I only read AKA2D's post the first time around and not the others. With pigmentation aside, middle easterns don't even have the same physical features as caucasians. I don't care what the gov't says, those people aren't white!
I think it's the pyramid thing too.

[Steeltrap]

Some years ago, Asian Indians -- many of whom are much darker than I am -- were considered Caucasians in this country.

I was looking at books when I was in jr. high school (which was 25 years ago or so), and I couldn't believe it.

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by Dionysus



EDITED: I only read AKA2D's post the first time around and not the others. With pigmentation aside, middle easterns don't even have the same physical features as caucasians. I don't care what the gov't says, those people aren't white!
I think it's the pyramid thing too.

you better not tell them that!

also, those from India, who are darker than I am, consider themselves white. I was in Jr. high and HS with them...I was like huh?

LMAO!

[mccoyred]

Historically, Asian Idians are considered Caucasian because their ancestors are said to be Aryan, the same group from which Europeans are descended.

Originally posted by Steeltrap
Some years ago, Asian Indians -- many of whom are much darker than I am -- were considered Caucasians in this country.

I was looking at books when I was in jr. high school (which was 25 years ago or so), and I couldn't believe it.

I also agree about the N Africa thing. N Africans (Arabs/Berbers) are as mixed as Hispanics, just differently. Liz wouldn't have survived the brutal sun of the Nile Valley; can we say skin cancer.

[straightBOS]

Originally posted by BLUTANG
However, in my opinion it's better than nothing.

I agree 100%.

The census is only as accurate as the people who take-- or choose not to take it.

I think that most mixed race people who also include Black are considered Black because there is the assumption that their outward appearance may make them appear to be Black. We of course vary tremedously in terms of skin shade, but at some point the census has to make some sort of decision. Remember, we are not ONLY looking at a simple head count. The census decides how congressional lines are drawn, how money is spent is allocated, etc. So, if a town is 50% Black, 20% white and 30% other, what does that mean?

Also, most non-Blacks do classify themsleves as white partly because there may not be these same racial questions in their countries. As far as they know, they are not of African-descent, they may come from the "continent" of Europe, so, when posed with this question, they choose white.

India, is considered a sub-continent, and is usually not mentioned when one speaks of Asia, so it might be difficult for Indians to consider themselves to be Asian. So, with no other alternative, they choose white.

If we want broader acceptance of racial categories, then these new categories have to importance greater than just who lives here.

[nikki1920]

How bout we get rid of the categories and ppl write in what they want to? Why are we the only country that deals with this issue?

*looking for my sociology hat*