How about we are all Americans?

When we fill out the census, how about we don't mark anything for race, except "other", and write in American, whether we are black, white, Hispanic, Asian or whatnot? It's the truth, right? I don't know alot of my background for fact, so I could have a little of any of those options.

Howbout it?

Joey

I'm not an American.

but we have to segregate ourselves somehow!

joey48442 wrote: When we fill out the census, how about we don't mark anything for race, except "other", and write in American, whether we are black, white, Hispanic, Asian or whatnot? It's the truth, right?

You're confusing race (a genetic identification) with nationality (a geopolitical identification) and/or ethnicity (a cultural identification).

I agree with the sentiment, though. I'd prefer a box that says something like "None of your Business" or "What's it matter?"

Honestly, if the question is race the choices should be drag, oval, or road.

I check other and write "Irrelevant".

I've always though African-American, et al, were rediculous for people that were born in America.

But if you want to segregate yourself, then call foul, I'm not listening.

Henceforth, I would like to be referred to as an English-German-Cherokee-American.

Does any other nation refer to its folks as, say, African-Canadian or Arab-German ?

mel_horn wrote: Does any other nation refer to its folks as, say, African-Canadian or Arab-German ?

I've seen the term "Afro-Peruvian" used, but for the most part, it's broken down to moreno (black), blanquito (white), and indio (indian, what are known as "native americans" here)

I hate checking the box. Should my race matter? In this country ?

If they had a box marked "cracker ass cracker" I'd feel better.

You don't have to answer you know.

I always choose the Eskimo option because I feel they are underrepresented.

Back when I was still working (now retired) - for the US Department of the Interior, actually - I always used to fill in such questions as Celtic-American. The guy who had the desk next to mine was a little more direct. He used Hun.

I write about the history of the American West, and sometimes have the opportunity to hear Indian tribal leaders speak. Pretty much universally they say their people think "native American" is silly, even funny. As they told me, "where were you born? Doesn't that make us both natives?". They prefer to be referred to by name of tribe, ie Lakota or Cheyenne, or as one said ""My name is Adam - that works for me."

My friend in high school told me that when his friend, white but born in South Africa, was filling out papers for grants, he sent them in and marked African-American. He got one (not a huge one), but when they found out, they took it away.

I believe African American was "created" by Jessie Jackson, that should tell you all you need to know.

I remember someone using the line "No, I'm not French, I'm Jewish"... uhhh?

"Are you Drewish... funny, you don't look Drewish"

I'm a pure-bred Canadian mutt. Proud of it too, eh?!

aircooled wrote: I believe African American was "created" by Jessie Jackson, that should tell you all you need to know. ....

Where did you "hear" that?

(From Wikipedia)In this same period, a smaller number of people favored Afro-American. In the 1980s the term African-American was advanced on the model of, for example, German-American or Irish-American to give descendents of American slaves and other American blacks who lived through the slavery-era a heritage and a cultural base.[121] The term was popularized in black communities around the country via word of mouth and ultimately received mainstream use after Jesse Jackson publicly used the term in front of a national audience, subsequently major media outlets adopted its use.[121] Many blacks in America expressed a preference for the term, as it was formed in the same way as names for others of the many ethnic groups in the nation. Some argued further that, because of the historical circumstances surrounding the capture, enslavement and systematic attempts to de-Africanize blacks in the United States under chattel slavery, most African Americans are unable to trace their ancestry to a specific African nation; hence, the entire continent serves as a geographic marker. (Uses this as a reference): http://books.google.com/books?id=xoZ0POyF2YkC&pg=PA86&lpg=PA86&dq=jesse+jackson+african+american+cultural+base&source=bl&ots=nEFSRzdT4Z&sig=oQ2lSr7NwQtkRTBDzLrv-c9WFIU&hl=en&ei=blsOSqudNOawtgfcu_iGCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7

We had a white kid from South Africa helping us out in the shop for a while.

One day a customer got pissed because we forgot to order his parts. The boss told him "Sorry, we've got a kid from a thrid-world country helping us out and sometimes he makes mistakes"

The guy mellowed out right waya and said "That's ok I guess, just get it done this time."

I guess he figured we had little 'Ndugu from the World Vision ads in the back.

Shawn

Thanks for that Mel.......but it says he used it publicly and not that he "created" it (which was my point).

I had already looked at that Wiki before my comment.

I mark "other"

Irish

During the last Census, someone locally listed their pet cat as person. A few years later, the cat was ordered to serve jury duty. I think a lot folks will pass on the Census if the data is being used for jury duty candidates.

I usually claim Indian.. even though I am two steps removed from behing able to claim tribal status.

Other: Zombie

How about Meat Popsicle?

Human. Nice and simple.

JeepinMatt wrote: My friend in high school told me that when his friend, white but born in South Africa, was filling out papers for grants, he sent them in and marked African-American. He got one (not a huge one), but when they found out, they took it away.

I've heard of that type of thing. Seems like a sure-shot lawsuit to me.