Some Hispanics puzzle over race question on census form

[FR7 Baptist]

The latest government census form is fairly straightforward, but question No. 9 has proved troubling for some Hispanics.

"It was confusing," says Jessica Valenzuela, a schoolteacher from Avondale. "I came to that question, and I just stopped. I didn't know what to put."

The question asks to which race residents of a home belong. The choices offered are White, Black, American Indian, Alaska native, various Asian descents, Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders and "some other race."

Valenzuela, like a lot of people, isn't quite sure where she fits in.

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[annsni]

Well, they are not black, Indian or Asian, so they are white. It's pretty straight forward to me but I guess that's because I'm white and I don't identify with them culturally. I wonder if question 8 and 9 should have been combined. *shrugging shoulders*

 

[Jon-Marc]

I didn't have to fill out a form. Two young ladies were going around doing that. I told them I am French, English, Sioux Indian, and American; they put white.

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

Hispanic is term denoting an ethnic group -- origins from Hispania (now Spain) and those from countries ruled by Spain - Mexico, South America (except Brazil), Central America, etc.

It has nothing to do with race. Some hispanics are white, some are black, some are Indian, some are Asian, and some are mixed.

 

[Steven2006]

I already filled mine out and mailed so I can't double check, but I am certain there was a place for Latin American's as well. I remember reading the description and it even mentioned specific groups such as Puerto Rican etc.