http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/14/us/for-many-latinos-race-is-more-culture-than-color.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=raceremixed
I have yet to complete my own census form but in reading this article I am almost scared to find myself as confused as other Latinos. The article mentions the need for the census form to be filled out is essential for all citizens, but it also has undergone some changes to help individuals identify "what they are." Many Latinos argue that the country’s race categories — indeed, the government’s very conception of identity — do not fit them. The main reason for the split is that the census categorizes people by race, which typically refers to a set of common physical traits. But Latinos, as a group in this country, tend to identify themselves more by their ethnicity, meaning a shared set of cultural traits, like language or customs.
I can't help but think that I too identify myself as 'white' when there are no other terms that I see accurate. Mary C. Waters, a sociology professor at Harvard who specializes in the challenges of measuring race and ethnicity stated that she agreed with the changes being made to the census forms, due to a lack of individuals answering the questions dealing with race.The article goes on to describe certain individuals' particular cases and their issue with identifing with the options given on the census.
I really enjoyed reading this article because while I won't lie and say I've ever really identified myself as something other than white, my mom's side of the family has a lot of American Indian, and I do say this is part of my family tree. It also made me think of how my boyfriend seems to view himself. He's Mexican but his skin color is white. However, he doesn't really seem to identify himself as either. He'll make jokes about me being "so white" but at the same time say the same thing about friends being "so Mexican." I think it's a good thing because he's just himself and race and ethnicity do not play a significant factor in his self-identity.
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