This really annoys the tar out of me. Yes, there are Caucasian Jews, but over and over during my pregnancies and the medical care of myself and children, I've had to let doctors know that there's a difference.
I remember one particular time a daughter was being tested for issues (she's Hebrew and Asian) and since those of Hebrew descent are listed as Caucasian, they went with my birth certificate and listed her as Caucasian. Since the disease is rarely seen in anyone except Jews and Asians, the doctor laughed at the idea until I explained cuz hey, her birth certificate says Caucasian.
I can't help but think there must be a political reason for this. Why on earth is this not an option on birth certificates? I find myself making myself marking "other" or making my own box.
It's not an issue of pride or anything, (although it's offensive to be labeled something you're not as if it doesn't exist) it's an issue of receiving proper medical care. There was a slight concern for Tay-Sachs with one of my pregnancies and the doctor wasn't about to check further at first because of the lower possibility until I told him "uh yeah, there IS a higher probability due to heritage."
Does anyone know how this came about and why? Was it an attempt to stop discrimination? Was it to take away our identity? Was it to pretend we just don't exist?
I don't get it.
I remember one particular time a daughter was being tested for issues (she's Hebrew and Asian) and since those of Hebrew descent are listed as Caucasian, they went with my birth certificate and listed her as Caucasian. Since the disease is rarely seen in anyone except Jews and Asians, the doctor laughed at the idea until I explained cuz hey, her birth certificate says Caucasian.
I can't help but think there must be a political reason for this. Why on earth is this not an option on birth certificates? I find myself making myself marking "other" or making my own box.
It's not an issue of pride or anything, (although it's offensive to be labeled something you're not as if it doesn't exist) it's an issue of receiving proper medical care. There was a slight concern for Tay-Sachs with one of my pregnancies and the doctor wasn't about to check further at first because of the lower possibility until I told him "uh yeah, there IS a higher probability due to heritage."
Does anyone know how this came about and why? Was it an attempt to stop discrimination? Was it to take away our identity? Was it to pretend we just don't exist?
I don't get it.