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mre


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News #3: The Census, Hispanic & Arab Americans
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Good afternoon,

The 2010 Census is one of the most important activities that the federal government undertakes every ten years, but there are LOTS of questions as to HOW the census is taken and WHY it is taken. 

Read this article and answer a few questions please.  Remember that your grade for news discussion topics is related to your answering of the questions and your responses to fellow students.  The more responses, the higher your grades. :)

Should we still classify individuals by 'race'?  What benefits come from the federal government's knowledge of an individual's race?  Do you agree with the author's suggestions for Hispanics and Arab Americans on the census?  In the future, do you believe 'race' designations will continue to be necessary?  If not, what do you think will determine that change? 

I look forward to your posts and responses.  Thanks,

mr e  

Monday, Mar. 29, 2010

Still Black or White: Why the Census Misreads Hispanics

By Tim Padgett / Miami

 

Hispanic advocates often tell the story of a Census Bureau worker who visits a Puerto Rican household in New York City's East Harlem neighborhood. Seeing the family's caramel complexion, the Census taker asks which race he should put down for them — white or black. To which the family answers: "Puerto Rican."

The story could substitute a Mexican-American family — or Colombian- or Nicaraguan-American ones for that matter — but the gist would be the same. Many, if not most, Hispanics in the U.S. think of their ethnicity (also known as Latino) not just in cultural terms but in a racial context as well. It's why more than 40% of Hispanics, when asked on the Census form in 2000 to register white or black as their race, wrote in "Other" — and they represented 95% of all the 15.3 million people in the U.S. who did so. (See the 25 most influential Hispanics in America.)

An even larger share of Hispanics, including my Venezuelan-American wife, is expected to report "Other," "Hispanic" or "Latino" in the race section of the 2010 census forms being mailed to U.S. homes this month. What makes it all the more confusing if not frustrating to them is that Washington continues to insist on those forms that "Hispanic origins are not races." If the Census Bureau lists Filipino and even Samoan as distinct races, Hispanics wonder why they — the product of half a millennium of New World miscegenation — aren't considered a race too. "It's a very big issue," says Angelo Falcón, president of the National Institute for Latino Policy in New York City and a community adviser to the Census. "A lot of Hispanics find the black-white option offensive, and they're asserting their own racial uniqueness." (See the making of Sonia Sotomayor.)

Nor are they alone. Arabs, who would seem to have an even stronger race claim than Hispanics do, are trumpeting their own write-in campaign because the Census by default counts them as white — and the bureau announced this week that it has no intention of changing that policy in 2010. Incredibly, the term Arab doesn't even appear on the census form, though other Asian ethnicities, like Indian, are listed as races. (Ironically, part of the problem is that Arab immigrants a century ago petitioned the Federal Government to be categorized as white to avoid discrimination. Today, Arab-American leaders realize how much that move has cost their community in terms of federal aid and legal clout.)

It's not easy being the Census agency for America's baroque melting pot. And to be fair, Falcón notes, the Census hasn't slighted Hispanics in this year's count. On the contrary, as if acknowledging that Hispanics are now the nation's largest minority, the bureau has given the group its own "Hispanic Origins" section. It even precedes the general race section on the questionnaire and, advocates say, promises to yield a more comprehensive tally of Hispanics for purposes of federal aid and civil rights protections. But many Hispanics are nonetheless irked when they go to the next section and find, yet again, that they're asked to identify themselves racially as white or black. (The other racial designations are Native American, Asian and Pacific Islander.)

Census officials say they're simply adhering to race-category standards laid out for all federal agencies in 1997 by the White House Office of Management and Budget, criteria they confirm will be re-evaluated before the 2020 census. (The Census that year will also be unlikely to retain Negro as a designation for African Americans; it is still on the 2010 form, a fact that has led to repeated apologies from the Census chief.) And Janet Murguia, president of the National Council of La Raza, a Hispanic advocacy group in Washington, D.C., says the Hispanic race question so far "has been hard to reconcile scientifically."

Still, Maria Teresa Kumar, executive director of Voto Latino, a Hispanic civic organization based in Washington, D.C., worries because most Hispanics who do choose between white and black select white. That "risks leaving a mistaken impression that they enjoy certain socioeconomic opportunities we associate with whites in this country," says Kumar, "when in reality [Hispanics] are near the bottom in areas like education and upward mobility." As a result, groups like Voto Latino are encouraging Hispanics to write Hispanic or Latino in the "Other" space for race.

While Kumar, like Falcón, applauds the Census Bureau for the 2010 form's prominent Hispanic-origins feature, she feels the feds still fail to understand "how layered the Latino self-identity is" beyond just language. North Americans call Oct. 12 Columbus Day, but Latin Americans call it Dia de la Raza — Day of the Race — a recognition that 1492 began a commingling of primarily Iberian, native American and African blood that in turn produced a new race, sometimes called mestizo. That process was perhaps deepest in Mexico — and because Mexico is the origin country of almost two-thirds of U.S. Hispanics, that's a big reason why Washington needs to rethink its definition of race. (Comment on this story.)

Many feel the Census also needs to fine-tune its idea of what is and isn't Hispanic. It tends to define Latin America as just the Spanish-speaking countries of the western hemisphere, when the term also encompasses Portuguese-speaking Brazil. It also includes Spaniards in the "Hispanic Origins" box, when in fact a Spaniard is a European, not a Hispanic.

All of this should prod the Census Bureau to simplify things for future counts. The Hispanic-origins and race sections should be combined into one, less confusing section that asks folks what ethnic and/or racial group they belong to: white, black, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander or Hispanic. It should (as it already does for some groups on the form) provide space for designating subgroups — like Arabs, for example. (Many Jamaican- and Bahamian-Americans also feel the Census should list their Caribbean origins as a black subgroup.) And it should make clear that respondents can check more than one group. That matters in cases like that of blacks from Hispanic countries. Those Afro-Latinos have produced a video urging each other to check the black entry and not "Other" in the race section to ensure that Washington logs that reality as well as their Hispanic status.

Accommodating, if not promoting, multiple ethnic identification seems especially important at a time when a growing number of Americans — including their President — have mixed-race parentage. For our children's race, my wife and I simply write in Mixed for want of any better option on the census form. But in the 2020 census, we'd like them to be counted more precisely as progeny of both the Anglo race and the Latino raza.



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Sarah Labelle


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The census asks about race to determine funding for certain groups. The question is not easy for everyone to answer though. With more and more 'mixed' children being born, it is hard to determine which race a person is. I think that it shouldn't really matter what race you are. The government should not need to know what race you are.

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Dokolski


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yes it should be seperated in race... this is just a survey to help out america. by dividing people it makes it easier for the cenus to get an acurate count for people. personally i do what i can because this census can and most likely will help us. so if dividing us by race "on paper" is as bad as it gets to help out our community, i am all for it!

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Zachary W


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I understand the reasons for the government classifying individuals for race, but I do also see the reasons for many groups’ complaints. I don’t see a reason to not ask race on a census form, of course it does need to be altered some. The benefits of the federal government knowing individual’s races helps alter spending and budgets as to aid all ‘races’ as equally as possibly. I think the author’s suggestions for Hispanic and Arab Americans does make sense, it’s essentially still giving the counters the information they want and it brings attention to the fact that there should be a box made for these groups to be able to check off. Race designations will continue to be used for a long time and I feel they should continue to be used, because if they were no longer used by the government people would still treat the former races as they always had good and bad. Ignoring the differences in people is just as bad the denying the similarities in people and groups.



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Sarah Labelle


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Zachary W wrote:

I understand the reasons for the government classifying individuals for race, but I do also see the reasons for many groups’ complaints. I don’t see a reason to not ask race on a census form, of course it does need to be altered some. The benefits of the federal government knowing individual’s races helps alter spending and budgets as to aid all ‘races’ as equally as possibly. I think the author’s suggestions for Hispanic and Arab Americans does make sense, it’s essentially still giving the counters the information they want and it brings attention to the fact that there should be a box made for these groups to be able to check off. Race designations will continue to be used for a long time and I feel they should continue to be used, because if they were no longer used by the government people would still treat the former races as they always had good and bad. Ignoring the differences in people is just as bad the denying the similarities in people and groups.



But how far do you go with the different boxes for different groups. Someone is always going to be unhappy so how many groups do you put and how do yopu choose which those are going to be.


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Zachary W


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Sarah Labelle wrote:

Zachary W wrote:

 

I understand the reasons for the government classifying individuals for race, but I do also see the reasons for many groups’ complaints. I don’t see a reason to not ask race on a census form, of course it does need to be altered some. The benefits of the federal government knowing individual’s races helps alter spending and budgets as to aid all ‘races’ as equally as possibly. I think the author’s suggestions for Hispanic and Arab Americans does make sense, it’s essentially still giving the counters the information they want and it brings attention to the fact that there should be a box made for these groups to be able to check off. Race designations will continue to be used for a long time and I feel they should continue to be used, because if they were no longer used by the government people would still treat the former races as they always had good and bad. Ignoring the differences in people is just as bad the denying the similarities in people and groups.



But how far do you go with the different boxes for different groups. Someone is always going to be unhappy so how many groups do you put and how do yopu choose which those are going to be.

Well yeah, it could get excessive, but everything has limits. Having basically the ones that are there now and adding two or three others and clarifying what they constitutes each race. Even if the person doesn't completely agree with the race the government considers them to be, they need to understand it only happens maybe 7 or 8 times in their life and it just for their statistical 'stuff'.

 



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jordan coe


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well i think they should include more races on teh census statement   people will fill offensive if there race is not on there and they dont want to circle a race which they are not   but the  census helps  us out alot it helps so how many differnt people we have in the contry it helps with funding  for states

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Glorieeeee


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i agree with @Jordan Coe and how he thinks every race should be on there. Some people would take that offensive and arent gonna check off what they believe they are not. If someone is Puerto Rican they consider themselves Hispanic and nothing else. Alot of the times on surveys one question will be Are you Hispanic or Latino? If you answer Yes, and then go to the next question which race are you? Which do we pick?

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kelsayexo


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I don't believe that the race should be a problem with these type of government reports. We are Americans why should it matter. To me I understand if it was male female but why should it matter what race. Just like on job applications. Will i get hired if I am Hispanic or African American in an area of work that ususally doesnt have caucasian. I think it is racist in my point of view. The general questions are fine but why does that matter. Point blank !

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joelhead


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i believe that if the american government REALLY needs to know what race you are (which i do not entirely see as necessary) than maybe they should allow citizens to fill in their own title for their race. todays people are so diverse and so many lines are blurred, i don't think 5 categories can totally encompass every "race" and give each one equal justice. they should allow citizens to label themselves as they please.

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Glorieeeee


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Other than being confused with which race to pick, i see nothing wrong with the census. It helps the government with our statistics and even helps benefit us in a way.

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Sarah Labelle


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Glorieeeee wrote:

i agree with @Jordan Coe and how he thinks every race should be on there. Some people would take that offensive and arent gonna check off what they believe they are not. If someone is Puerto Rican they consider themselves Hispanic and nothing else. Alot of the times on surveys one question will be Are you Hispanic or Latino? If you answer Yes, and then go to the next question which race are you? Which do we pick?


if you put every race on there then the census would be even more complicated and people would still complain.

 



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joelhead


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joelhead wrote:

right, but i believe that people are raising a stink about not being properly portrayed in the race they want, and are angry at the limited choices on the paper.


apologies, this was to dan the hot dog man's post.

 



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Glorieeeee


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joelhead wrote:

i believe that if the american government REALLY needs to know what race you are (which i do not entirely see as necessary) than maybe they should allow citizens to fill in their own title for their race. todays people are so diverse and so many lines are blurred, i don't think 5 categories can totally encompass every "race" and give each one equal justice. they should allow citizens to label themselves as they please.


i definitely agree with that, thats a good suggestion.  



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Bianca Vieira


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Glorie- i agree with your point completly because it is allowing people to go by what they believe they are titled as but i also feel it might make it more confusing and they make the question broad so there arent too many choices. But i feel that is wrong because limiting people and making it difficult to fill in a box can leave a person uneasy.


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Bianca Vieira
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i must say that there shouldnt be boxs on the census, i really isnt nobody business what a person races is. that really doesnt def. who the person is or how they effect their community

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Moussa


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THE CENSUS MAKES SENSE!!!!

we need to keep race in THIS! not only does it help allocate Congressmen and the people they represent. It allocates funding and creates a better understanding of AMERICA!

We are always going to be seperated into races because it allows government, laws, companies...etc. to understand how race affects income, education, fertility, household conditions, living conditions, food, culture, and much much more.

If not for the advancement of our NATION! we need it to better understand ourselves to help improve our society!

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Dokolski


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Nay wrote:

i must say that there shouldnt be boxs on the census, i really isnt nobody business what a person races is. that really doesnt def. who the person is or how they effect their community



 some one from washington (or where ever) doesnt care specificly what YOUR race is... this is just a test, if it was that big of a deal why wouldnt you protest taking the MCAS or SAT's its just something that helps the asker, for future reference to help you and your community



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Nay


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Sarah Labelle wrote:

Glorieeeee wrote:

i agree with @Jordan Coe and how he thinks every race should be on there. Some people would take that offensive and arent gonna check off what they believe they are not. If someone is Puerto Rican they consider themselves Hispanic and nothing else. Alot of the times on surveys one question will be Are you Hispanic or Latino? If you answer Yes, and then go to the next question which race are you? Which do we pick?


if you put every race on there then the census would be even more complicated and people would still complain.

 


so let them complain.

 



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Nay


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Dokolski wrote:

Nay wrote:

i must say that there shouldnt be boxs on the census, i really isnt nobody business what a person races is. that really doesnt def. who the person is or how they effect their community



 some one from washington (or where ever) doesnt care specificly what YOUR race is... this is just a test, if it was that big of a deal why wouldnt you protest taking the MCAS or SAT's its just something that helps the asker, for future reference to help you and your community


How is that helping my communtiy >???????

 



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joelhead


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Moussa wrote:

THE CENSUS MAKES SENSE!!!!

we need to keep race in THIS! not only does it help allocate Congressmen and the people they represent. It allocates funding and creates a better understanding of AMERICA!

We are always going to be seperated into races because it allows government, laws, companies...etc. to understand how race affects income, education, fertility, household conditions, living conditions, food, culture, and much much more.

If not for the advancement of our NATION! we need it to better understand ourselves to help improve our society!


besides food and culture, why should race affect these other aspects of the government?

 



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Zachary W


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Nay wrote:

i must say that there shouldnt be boxs on the census, i really isnt nobody business what a person races is. that really doesnt def. who the person is or how they effect their community


 But if it really doesn't matter and obviously they're not trying to harm you with the information, so what is there to hide in not disclosing your government described race.



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montille25


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I believe the census should not even have a race section, because if they think most Americans are "white or black" they are stupid! Hispanics should go buck on them. 

P.S if you dont know what "Buck" means, you are living in the past where our "milk men" had some "special qualities" when they arrive to deliver our milk to our mothers or wives. biggrin



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Dokolski


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it helps with alot of funding, if they have inacurate data, you will get insufficient funds, now as a member of this community too I WANT FUNDS! i plan to check off white, what is it to you that this ONE piece of paper labels you as something? as a person you know what you are.

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R_Santos


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I agree with Zach in that it is just information for the government to help out the country. and i also agree with Joel in allowing people to fill in their own race because the country is way too diverse to just seperate people into 5 races.

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Heling is


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Should we still classify individuals by 'race'?

Although it’s a valiant effort, I believe that classifying individuals by race has long become obsolete in America where there are so many interracial marriages that produce mixed offsprings. Perhaps every person I’ve asked in NBHS will tell me that they’re 1/5 Irish, 2/3 Portuguese, 1/18 French and a million other races and ethnicities.

What benefits come from the federal government's knowledge of an individual's race?

The federal government benefits with this knowledge as it allows them to better understand the demographics of the countries and to trace trends in the rising/ falling numbers of people of certain backgrounds as well as to pinpoint trends in recent immigration. It also helps the government understand where it should put its money to good use for.

Do you agree with the author's suggestions for Hispanics and Arab Americans on the census?

I do agree with the author’s suggestion. Hispanics and Arab Americans represent a large number of people currently residing in the United States, and it would be impractical not to include them on the census. With the addition of these options, the government may be able to obtain a more precise measure.

In the future, do you believe 'race' designations will continue to be necessary? If not, what do you think will determine that change?

I do not believe that ‘race’ designations will be necessary in the future. Because of improvements in transportation and communication, countries are slowly coming out of isolation and people around the world are on the move. Interracial marriage is becoming increasingly more common, and perhaps one day into the future the idea of ‘race’ will become obsolete.



I recently filled out the 2010 Census for my family, and I thought that it would have been far easier and more accurate if the government simply let the people write on one blank line what they identify themselves as. Sure, there would be people who would say Portuguese/Irish/French etc., but I think that could be avoided with clear instructions. I think it would be a lot more practical if the government adopted an approach similar to this as it would not only allow the people to feel at ease with what they identify themselves as, but would also make it a lot easier to fill out.

-- Edited by Heling is on Tuesday 30th of March 2010 04:08:18 PM

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Heling is


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Moussa wrote:

THE CENSUS MAKES SENSE!!!!

we need to keep race in THIS! not only does it help allocate Congressmen and the people they represent. It allocates funding and creates a better understanding of AMERICA!

We are always going to be seperated into races because it allows government, laws, companies...etc. to understand how race affects income, education, fertility, household conditions, living conditions, food, culture, and much much more.

If not for the advancement of our NATION! we need it to better understand ourselves to help improve our society!


I don't see how confusion over what to put down for 'race' creates a better understanding of America... :/ I also disagree with your opinion that we will always be seperated into races. Although that may be true NOW, I think in the distant future the concept of race will become obsolete. Also, how does race effect income education fertility, etc. to a degree that can be measured by the US government? Sure, there may be general stereotyping of certain races, but how can you gurantee that it would hold true across the board?

 



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Heling is


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montille25 wrote:

I believe the census should not even have a race section, because if they think most Americans are "white or black" they are stupid! Hispanics should go buck on them. 

P.S if you dont know what "Buck" means, you are living in the past where our "milk men" had some "special qualities" when they arrive to deliver our milk to our mothers or wives. biggrin


To view Americans as either white or black is very ignorant, I agree~! However, I don't know if I completely agree with there not being a 'race' section on the census. Although I think it's a fruitless endeavor to try and account for every single 'white' in the country, I do believe it helps delegate money to appropriate needs etc.

 



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Heling is


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joelhead wrote:

i believe that if the american government REALLY needs to know what race you are (which i do not entirely see as necessary) than maybe they should allow citizens to fill in their own title for their race. todays people are so diverse and so many lines are blurred, i don't think 5 categories can totally encompass every "race" and give each one equal justice. they should allow citizens to label themselves as they please.


For some reason there were a lot more than 5 categories when I filled out the Census. Also, I agree with your point about having citizens fill in their own race, but you completely took my idea from me and I do not appreciate it, Mr. Spinale. D:

 



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BiancaDee925


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The U.S. Census, I believe, is just a form that determines the statistics of the different populations in our country. It is important that everyone fills it out so that our country can move forward and give funding to the places that need it. How would everyone feel if we weren’t exactly sure how many people live here? We could be thinking that it’s a certain number, and then in reality it’s twice as much. However, I agree that in the section of the census that determines race can be confusing and offensive to a lot of people. I think it will be easier for them to list Hispanics and Arab Americans on the census. Classifying people by race is extremely difficult because people are more than one race. 

As for the question, “will race designations be necessary in the future?” The answer I think will be no, because a lot of people are practicing interracial marriages, and their children will be mixed in race (i.e. ½ French, ¼ English, ¼ Columbian, etc). So, basically, people will be of more than one race.


-- Edited by BiancaDee925 on Tuesday 30th of March 2010 05:17:16 PM

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Moussa


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Heling is wrote:

 

Moussa wrote:

THE CENSUS MAKES SENSE!!!!

we need to keep race in THIS! not only does it help allocate Congressmen and the people they represent. It allocates funding and creates a better understanding of AMERICA!

We are always going to be seperated into races because it allows government, laws, companies...etc. to understand how race affects income, education, fertility, household conditions, living conditions, food, culture, and much much more.

If not for the advancement of our NATION! we need it to better understand ourselves to help improve our society!


I don't see how confusion over what to put down for 'race' creates a better understanding of America... :/ I also disagree with your opinion that we will always be seperated into races. Although that may be true NOW, I think in the distant future the concept of race will become obsolete. Also, how does race effect income education fertility, etc. to a degree that can be measured by the US government? Sure, there may be general stereotyping of certain races, but how can you gurantee that it would hold true across the board?
I was saying that we can understand how race affects other aspects of life, income, housing...etc. as for the "confusion", i would propose that we include more races/identities for an ever growing population. but KEEP THE RACE QUESTION.

As long as we have "Black History Month" and "Latino/Hispanic History Month"...etc we won't be a post racial society.... ever. To exist in a world where race is obsolete would include a world where no one is proud of their race (Black power anyone?) in order to move on from it. I never see that happening, especially when being Hispanic or Latino is usually associated as both a culture and race. YOu will never stop practicing your culture, and therefore, never stop identifying as a certain race.

My main point, was that this census allows the Census Bureau to gather information to help understand how race affects all those other aspects, and vice versa. How does income level affect different races in different parts of the country...etc. This builds a better understanding of our society. Through statistical analysis of the population on all those issues.

 



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Heling is wrote:

Should we still classify individuals by 'race'?

Although it’s a valiant effort, I believe that classifying individuals by race has long become obsolete in America where there are so many interracial marriages that produce mixed offsprings. Perhaps every person I’ve asked in NBHS will tell me that they’re 1/5 Irish, 2/3 Portuguese, 1/18 French and a million other races and ethnicities.


everyone would fill out how they most closely identify. If they identify more with their Irish background, i see nothing wrong in saying "I'm Irish".



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joelhead said i believe that if the american government REALLY needs to know what race you are (which i do not entirely see as necessary) than maybe they should allow citizens to fill in their own title for their race. todays people are so diverse and so many lines are blurred, i don't think 5 categories can totally encompass every "race" and give each one equal justice. they should allow citizens to label themselves as they please.

i agree with the it would make people so much happier  adn that is true the government needs to know what race you are


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Heling is


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Moussa wrote:

Heling is wrote:

Should we still classify individuals by 'race'?

Although it’s a valiant effort, I believe that classifying individuals by race has long become obsolete in America where there are so many interracial marriages that produce mixed offsprings. Perhaps every person I’ve asked in NBHS will tell me that they’re 1/5 Irish, 2/3 Portuguese, 1/18 French and a million other races and ethnicities.


everyone would fill out how they most closely identify. If they identify more with their Irish background, i see nothing wrong in saying "I'm Irish".


Precisely, but that wouldn't solve the issue of the government's will to clearly define the borders of race (because that IS what it feels llike they're doing). I think the entire concept is just moot and a waste of trees. :/

 



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Moussa


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let's also remember, that although race has in the past been used mostly for negative ways, race unites many people. It builds identities and starts movements. Race is not going to go away (and shouldn't).

When a community knows that it's demographic is divided along certain lines racially, they get a better understand of their society...etc. along with all the other stuff that people have ignored. -___________-

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Bianca Vieira


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I think race is necessary to have in the Census because you need information on our country. I don’t think it should be looked upon in a bad way. I don’t think its an invasion of privacy, and if you cant identify yourself with one race you can put you think your close to. Its not like the Census is a final decision of you and what you put on there is stamped on your head. The government needs to know what race people are for statistical reason, for benefits of clubs, to help out communities. I think the government isn’t trying t create discrimination at all, but how far should they go there are only so many boxes you can put on a form. I feel that it has been working for years and it still should. I can completely understand why some people feel offended and upset but I think it is not done on purpose at all only to make things a little easier. I think in time and with the population rising there will be more boxes based on the increase. I agree with the author because I can understand the frustration and the feeling of being ignored, but I feel no matter what is done there are always going to be people left out and going to feel that way.

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Sheldon2442


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I'm French, Irish, Portugese, Cape Verdian, and Natvie American... so what am I considered?

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Sheldon2442


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Sarah Labelle wrote:

The census asks about race to determine funding for certain groups. The question is not easy for everyone to answer though. With more and more 'mixed' children being born, it is hard to determine which race a person is. I think that it shouldn't really matter what race you are. The government should not need to know what race you are.


I agree a person is a person if they divide us it creates problems if we stay the same problem solved.

 



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Bianca Vieira


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joelhead wrote:

i believe that if the american government REALLY needs to know what race you are (which i do not entirely see as necessary) than maybe they should allow citizens to fill in their own title for their race. todays people are so diverse and so many lines are blurred, i don't think 5 categories can totally encompass every "race" and give each one equal justice. they should allow citizens to label themselves as they please.


I agree that people should fill it in, but i also feel that it wouldnt work as well. There would be so many different responses and make the job even harder. I feel that its still going to be putting people in categories. I think no matter what happens people are never going to be satisfied. I would rather have the fill in because i know there are people who dont see themselves as just black or white. It goes deeper than that. But when is too much? Is it ever too much? i dont expect you to answer!! it just came to my mind for my own questions!

 



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Bianca Vieira
Bianca Vieira


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Moussa wrote:

let's also remember, that although race has in the past been used mostly for negative ways, race unites many people. It builds identities and starts movements. Race is not going to go away (and shouldn't).

When a community knows that it's demographic is divided along certain lines racially, they get a better understand of their society...etc. along with all the other stuff that people have ignored. -___________-


I agree!!

 



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Bianca Vieira
Bianca Vieira


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I think that there needs to be a race section and even though the choices are narrow it still helps out society. Its not meant to put a permanent label on people but to try to better communities. Why get rid of that?

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Bianca Vieira
Bianca Vieira


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Nay wrote:

Sarah Labelle wrote:

 

Glorieeeee wrote:

i agree with @Jordan Coe and how he thinks every race should be on there. Some people would take that offensive and arent gonna check off what they believe they are not. If someone is Puerto Rican they consider themselves Hispanic and nothing else. Alot of the times on surveys one question will be Are you Hispanic or Latino? If you answer Yes, and then go to the next question which race are you? Which do we pick?


if you put every race on there then the census would be even more complicated and people would still complain.

 


so let them complain.

 


I feel no matter what changes are made at some poeple will always feel negative to the issue, I feel no matter how many boxes are added someone will always feel left out. I just hope people realize the census isnt made to discriminate and bring frustration but to help.

 



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Jesse


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I agree with the author's suggestions to add more races in the cenus population. Race mean that all different skin color and their hertiage that where they came from. I think that latino and hispanics should be included in the census, so the governement know what races your categories should belong. But defeine "others" like different part of the world and their religions and their hertiage.

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Jesse


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I agree with Jordan and Joel...the government needs to find out all the people's races in the country to evaulate and determined which race they should belong to.

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Jesse


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Also, I wonder as "others" such as other part of world right? but what about deaf? it's part of "others"?

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mre


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Grades Updated 4/7/10

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LEENA23


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I feel that the census judge people by their race. I believe that it shouldn't matter we are all americans. I do under some of why they are doing it this way but the government never takes in that fcat that us hispanic and blacks get hurt by seeing this and hearing this. This makes people not like the government and this also makes people upset and they won't fill out the form and we really need that survery back from everyone its important to the United States.

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Anthony


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We should not classify individual by ‘race’. The survey is just for helping out America. I think the author right because dividing people it makes it easier for the census to get an accurate count for people. In the future, I believe ‘race’ designations will continue to be necessary.

 

.

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montille25


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I dont know why we even need the " race" section, because it's useless they just want to know your race because they just want to classify people, because when they release their report, they will be sau=ying oh that hispanics make that much a year compare to white or blacks. "I HATE THE CENSUS"

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illy


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I get the reason for the complaints but i reason with the gov't classifying individuals for race. I believe it is just a survey to help our country so why not take it. BY doing this it helps the cenus get an acurate count of people and help on the budgets and costs. Ignoring the differences in people is jjust as bad as denying the similarities in people and groups then let cenus do what he got to do.

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