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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? Why is there an "Hispanic" category on the census form? Instead of using "other," could we use "American" as a category? 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: Couldn't a mixed racial person identify themselves as black eventhoughthey look white and everyone thinks they're white? When it comes toallocating resources,isn't itmore important to categorize people by how they are perceived bysociety,not by how they think of themselves?
Clyde Tucker responds:
The Interagency Committee was committed to the principle of self-identification, because it preserved the right of individuals todescribe themselves as they so choose. Furthermore, it would bedifficult to determine how each person is identified by society. Opinions are likely to differ.
Susan Graham responds:
Project RACE members feel it is most important for every individual to beable to classify themselves according to how THEY identify themselves, not asother might see them. One person could see my children as multiracial,another might see them as black, white, or Hispanic. It is how they seethemselves that is important.
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