American Diversity & the 2000 Census
The 2000 American Census was indeed a critical one especially for Hispanics. For the first time, the 2000 Census, ”…allowed individuals to select more than one racial or ethnic affiliation for themselves.” This was extremely critical because many people who were multiracial, were able to closely identify themselves, thus categorize themselves in a sufficient manner. Hispanics were not as lucky as many other races during the 2000 Census. The Census confused Hispanics because many could not figure out how to identify themselves, thus categorizing themselves with other races. Back then, the Census confused many Mexicans because when the Census did not have a “Hispanic” category, many Mexicans were advised to categorize themselves as “White.”
During class we were fortunate to study each race definition according to the 2000 American Census. The information was startling to me as well as for my peers. The category “White” had individuals from the Middle East included. Normally, today we categorize them separately. Also, individuals from Pakistan would categorize themselves under the “Asians” category. Today, many people hear Pakistan and link it to the Middle East, yet, according to the 2000 Census, it was under the “Asians” category.
Great news for Hispanics was announced following the 2000 Census. The number of individuals who categorize themselves as Hispanic, for the first time, “…Surpassed blacks in number…Hispanics rose to 35.5 million, a 61% increase in 10 years…[while]blacks rose by 16% to 34.7 million.” Interracial marriage was increasing during this time, thus resulting in an increase in the amount of people choosing more than one race. All of this information is evident in this article. In the next Census scheduled for 2010, we will definitely see a great difference in the categories.
Becoming American, Becoming Ethnic
Why is Race so Important?
These articles were quite interesting. I found them to illustrate the important message of how one may construct their identities. One cannot act like someone they are not like LaToya Powell described in “Where I Stand & Why.” Her father wanted her to speak in a certain manner because he felt that she would have a better chance of succeeding. The question that arises in my mind is why do people pay so much attention to race and ethnicity? Having pride in your own ethnicity is fine without being ethnocentric, but by paying attention to your own ethnicity and racial background, you can constructs your own identity.
Susan Carnicelli described in “My Austrian-Italian Ethnicity,” that her Jewish religion was being acknowledged by others as a race. I have observed it myself when I encounter Jewish acquaintances and they have been offended by the fact that others look at their Jewish religion and categorize it as a race. We often tend to do that as human beings without even knowing. We tend to create “stereotypes” amongst cultural groups and if someone of that group does not have a common trait then we often discard them. I have encountered this myself because I, “…do not speak how typical Hispanics speak or like the same type of music…” When individuals categorize things, people tend to build stereotypes and become judgemental. Like Susan Carnicelli stated ,”Hopefully in the future people will judge each other by personality, not by name, ethnic background, or religion.” I wish this were true, but reality justifies that we will always face these judgements.
