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| PLAYING THE RACE CARD Should we have a "multi-racial" category on the census? July 29, 1997 |
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Other questions asked in this forum:
What exactly is the race-related information collected on the census form used for? How will the Census Bureau use this information productively? Instead of using "other," could we use "American" as a category? Isn't it more important to categorize people by how they are perceived by society, not by how they think of themselves? Shouldn't we classify ourselves by ethnicity or cultural background instead? Are mixed racial people turning a government poll into a platform for personal self-identity issues?
NewsHour Backgrounders
July 16, 1997
Paul Solman leads a debate on the multiracial census category.
June 18, 1997
Essayist Richard Rodriguez discusses his views on checking the race box.
June 12, 1997:
Despite a clash over a ban on census sampling included in the bill, a flood relief package to help northwestern states passes Congress.
June 11, 1997:
Reps. Shimkus and Allen discuss the role of the census in flood relief problems.
Outside Links
U.S. Census Bureau
Project RACEQuestion: Why is there an "Hispanic" category on the census form? An"Hispanic"person could be anything racially. The term only refers to people who sharea common language or place of birth.
Clyde Tucker responds:
Actually, there is a separate question as opposed to a racialcategory for ascertaining Hispanic origin. "Hispanic origin" and "Not of Hispanic origin" are ethnic, not racial, categories and were included in the current standard when it was adopted in May 1977, This was done in order to implement the requirements of Public Law 94-311 of June 16, 1976, which called for the collection, analysis, and publication of economic and social statistics on persons of Spanish culture, origin, or descent, regardless of race. In the standard, "Hispanic" is defined as a person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. You will note that it is the Spanish culture that is central to this definition, rather than a common language, as one might speak Spanish but not be Hispanic.
Susan Graham responds:
Hispanic is not listed on the census form under race. It is listed underethnicity. It is on the form because the Hispanic organizations successfullylobbied to have it there.
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