One day when I was teaching ESL, I was working with a group of students from Mexico and Central America. Pencils scratched the paper, the energy was electric, the excitement palpable: we were filling out their applications for a program at a community college that would allow them to take a class over the summer.

And the, we got to the demographic section:

“Miss, am I white, black, Asian, or American Indian?” asked a young girl from El Salvador. The group burst out laughing and some said she should write in “brown,” while others told her to check the “Hispanic” box. I read over the sheet… The EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) that collects federal data on race and ethnicity in the workforce uses five racial distinctions: American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; Black or African American; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; and White. Separately, they include one ethnicity category: Hispanic or Latino.

I didn’t know which race the students should mark, so I called the college later that day for clarification. The person who answered told me that the students should choose from the choices given. I explained that the students were from Mexico and Central America, and didn’t feel they fit into any of the categories. In a hushed tone, she told me “if they’re not black, have them mark white and then Hispanic for ethnicity.”

When we reconvened, the students were outraged:

“How can you tell us we’re white when our whole lives in the US we’re told we’re not!?”

“Teacher, look at my skin!!! Does it look white?”

“I’m marking American Indian. México es parte de las Américas, no?”

“I’m not putting anything for race!”

The race conundrum is not new, and it’s not going anywhere. Many Latinos view this categorization as a question of culture and language, not of race. A percentage of the population will leave the race box blank, while some will check the “other” box. Others ask “why is it important for the U.S. government to know the racial background or ethnicity of their citizens?”

It all comes down to money: $400 billion of federal money (from our taxes) that needs to be allocated annually, based on population demographics to pay for schools, transportation, public health and other vital social programs, such as English-language education and job training. When people do not check a box, a computer “guesses” their race, based on the neighborhood and other factors.

In 1977, the federal government declared “Hispanic” would be considered an ethnicity, not a race. They decided that citizens could identify with being “Hispanic” or “not Hispanic” and after identifying themselves as one of the five recognized “races” white, black, Asian, American Indian or Pacific Islander. (note: though indigenous people are genetically related- from the northernmost point of the Arctic to the southernmost point of Argentina- the American Indian box was reserved specifically for the 564 tribes residing in the U.S. that are federally recognized).

Multiple ethnic groups felt misplaced: which box should a Bedouin from North Africa or Egyptian check? Where did a Peruvian of Quechua descent fit? (the U.S. Census said both should choose “white”). What if your mom was Japanese, and your dad was Jamaican? (at that time, the U.S. Census said “pick one”).

For the first time, on the 2000 U.S. Census, multiracial people were allowed to check more than one race, and about 3% of the nation did so. In fact, multicultural families are one of the fastest growing demographics groups in the nation, as interracial marriage is growing.

In the same census, about 18 million Latinos (around 37%) checked the “Hispanic” box and when asked about race, self-identified as “some other race.” Some other race… In fact, Latinos have a mixed heritage that might include European, indigenous, African, and Asian ancestry.

Latinos were perplexed again by “race” choices in the 2010 census: White, Black, American Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Native Hawaiian and Samoan. With these choices, where did Latinos fit in?

Now, for the 2020 U.S. Census, the Census Bureau is thinking about combining ethnicity and race questions into a single “race or origin” category. If so, “Hispanic” may be a choice. While some groups argue that “race” is invented by man, a social construct, others are thrilled the Latinos are being considered and included. As a multicultural family, we will be marking several boxes on the next census, though knowing that we are all truly one race: the human race.

What do you think about the possible changes to the census?

{Photo by  moodboardphotography }

Photo by moi

¡Hola! You’ll find a little bit of everything in today’s links…

1) Los Cisnes Salvajes – Go over to Cody’s Cuentos so you can hear this classic from Hans Christian Andersen, the story of the sacrifice a sister is willing to make for her siblings. I love the way this was recorded by Maclovia. I wish I could tell Vanessa cuentos the way she does. Extremely enjoyable!

2) “La Bandeja Típica/Paisa” Colombia’s Favorite Dish – “Ever wonder why Latinos love to eat? It’s because food is part of our culture. Even during this so called “recession” we have to have our Goya products. Whether it’s a ceviche, arepa, arroz con pollo or platanos, we have so much to choose from. Growing up I expected to eat rice, beans, chicken, steak, lentils, potatoes or something in between.” This is by far my favorite Colombia dish, the only thing is that it’s a LOT of food, but really good food. Like the post’s author says, if you find yourself in a Colombian restaurant and you’ve never tried their food, this is a great choice! Enjoy!

3) Most Latino Children in the US Were Born Here, Study Says – “A majority of Hispanic children are now the US-born children of immigrants, primarily Mexicans who came to this country in an immigration wave that began around 1980, according to a report released a few days ago. The analysis of Census data by the nonpartisan Pew Hispanic Center charts a demographic shift among the nation’s 16 million Hispanic children, who are one of the fastest-growing child populations in the United States and already account for more than one out of five US children.” The most amazing thing, according to the study, is that in about 15 years, one in THREE children in this country will be LATINO! Increible!

4) CNN Plans Latino Documentary – “Following last year’s successful Black In America documentary series, CNN will turn its cameras on America’s Latino community with the two-part documentary series Latino In America premiering in October. Latino In America, hosted by CNN personality and Black In America host Soledad O’Brien, will focus on the growing U.S. Hispanic population and the pertinent issues that face the community. The first part of the series will explore the lives of people across the country who share the surname “Garcia,” the eighth most popular family name in America. The second part focuses on how four different communities are meeting the challenges of disparities, immigration and discrimination in terms of language, education, citizenship, and cultural identity.” It’s about time… this should be interesting…too bad I don’t have cable!

5) Cómo Manejar Las Citas de Juego – “En la edad preescolar, es muy común que los niños tengan citas para jugar con sus amiguitos y aunque las citas de juego son muy beneficiosas tanto para niños como adultos (por el pequeño respiro que nos brindan), es importante tomar en cuenta ciertas consideraciones. Antes de dejar a tu hijo(a) en casa de otra familia o de que alguien deje a su niño(a) con ustedes, es importante que se comuniquen los padres para asegurarse de que hay un entendimiento común acerca de qué va a suceder durante ese tiempo.” Although I’ve been a part of all of Vanessa’s playdates, these are valid points all mothers should be aware of when planning to attend or host them.

6) What is a Latina? – “I just read a column titled “When is a Latina not a Latina?’‘  The author, part Puerto Rican and non-Spanish-speaking, details frustrating moments when she was neither white enough nor Latina enough. I shook my head in empathy as I read it, for as an American-born woman of Cuban, Spanish, Scottish and Norwegian heritage, I have been there. And, as the column detailed, the questions and pronouncements about my particular flavor have come from both Latinos and non-Latinos.” Although I’ve never really experienced this myself, it’s a great read from Carrie – one of our favorite mamás blogueras. By the way, if you haven’t checked out her new blog, Tiki Tiki (it’s hers and three other Latinas – two of whom you’ve read about before here in SpanglishBaby), I suggest you go there immediately. ¡Te va a gustar!

Finally, a review and a GIVEAWAY for a book that looks awesome:

7) Before You Were Here, Mi Amor - “Pregnancy is a time full of wonder, excitement and much preparation. Children often exhibit curiosity about their birth, especially when their own mother becomes pregnant. My daughter poured over the new baby and sibling themed books I brought home before her brother was born. It helped her prepare for a sibling, and she never seemed to exhibit an “adjustment period” because we involved her in the pregnancy. She especially loved hearing stories of when she was a baby growing inside my belly.” This is an incredible coincidence and I know exactly what Brimful Curiosities’ author is talking about because we’re going through what she describes right now. Just last night, Vanessa asked me to “cuéntame el cuento de cuando yo nací.” She has loved hearing that story for a while now, but even more so now that she has a baby brother on the way. I don’t know how much she understands, but she seems to love hearing about it. I’d love to win this book myself and you probably would too. So, go on over there to read the review and to enter! I already did!

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