My computer went to my brothers for a visit. I got a blue screen of death. I am actually blogging from my work computer. It is a work related topic.
A part of my job is data collection. We receive demographic information on our clients. As a sociologist I understand why we collect data about individual race/ethnic identity. There is something about the process which has been bothering mee for a while.
Non/Hispanic
I have been wondering for a while about how the race and ethnic information is reported. The forms include both. Ethnicity is reported as Hispanic or Non-Hispanic. Then there is a separate race selection. I am offended. My ethnic identity, or that of anyone else shouldn't be based on "Are you Hispanic?" There are more then two ethnic groups in the world.
I got an e-mail today telling mee about the new federal guidelines for race and ethnicity categories. Google it. There are a lot of sites to look at. Apparently these forms are within compliance. It seems the purpose was to allow those who are Hispanic it be able to also acknowledge their racial differences within an ethnic group. What about the rest of us?
It is nice that individuals will get to select more than one race. Mind you, race is a genetic physical heritage. Ethnicity on the other hand refers to social and cultural similarities to a group of people. Historically ethnic groups have been of similar race. Thus the oft interchange of word usage. World travel and mixed race relations have altered that reality.
So, what's your ethnicity? You will come across the question on a variety of forms. I cannot deny it is a part of who we are as individuals and groups. My racial heritage is Northern European, mostly. There is also some Native American blood in my veins. I can trace my lines to pre-Revolution America. My lines include Yankees and Confederates. I even have Mormon Immigrates as ancestors.
How do I respond to questions about race and ethnicity? Well, as God fearing Idaho hick, I have been writing in my own option:
6+ generation American.
