How many DUers are people of color? An estimate

[HamdenRice]

This post is in response to the threads started by SemiCharmedQuark and IronLionZion and others who have asked people of color to "check in" or have questioned some of the not very progressive racial views expressed in some threads here at DU. For example, IronLionZion asked people to check in to refute that DU is a "bunch of lily-white elitists". SemiCharmedQuark commented, "I am just really disgusted with the latent racism that exists, even on DU". This post is not intended as flame bait or to be racially devisive (although a similar post in a general forum some weeks ago was taken to be just that).

One question these kinds of posts raise is what is the racial composition of DU? Are minorities represented here at about the same level as the population in general or the Democratic party?

The answer is impossible to know, because we are not asked to identify ourselves racially when we register. Asking people to check in also does not provide a random sample, but instead a self-selected sample. Also, even if it provided a numerator, it does not provide a denominator (people who check in out of a total of what?)

There is one random sample, however, that it is possible to identify racially -- the DU gallery. I counted all the people who posted pictures. The total is 272. (This total excludes people who obscured their faces.) I then counted the number of people who appear to be people of color. This is only an estimate. It is easier to distinguish African Americans, for example, than Hispanics, who can be difficult to distinguish from say darker skinned Jews and Italians.

Here are the results. I have only done this to provide some information that may be useful in the discussion.


African Americans
Number: 4
Percent: 1.4%

Hispanics
Number: 5
Percent: 1.8%

Asian/PI/Other
Number: 4
Percent: 1.4%

Again, this is only a rough estimate of a random sample. I have much more confidence in my identification of African Americans than the other minority groups.

My conclusion is that people of color are very underrepresented on DU compared to the general population or the Democratic Party. DU is a progressive outlet for discussion, but you should not assume that the views expressed here are reflective of the diversity of views you would expect to hear aired in the general population or within the Democratic party.

[Karenina]

1. No surprise here.

;-)

[FrenchieCat]

2. Where is this "DU" Gallery?

I'd like to know....cause I'm not in it, I don't think.

[HamdenRice]

6. The DU gallery is here:

www.democraticunderground.com/gallery

[FrenchieCat]

10. Seems like one cannot submit a pic anymore......

Plus, I don't know if Pics always make it clear as to what race one is. Here's my photo that I wanted to submit. Don't know if it screams "Black"....but I am.....

[HamdenRice]

12. Bon jour Frenchie ... I'm not sure ...

how I would have counted you if I didn't know how you identify yourself -- probably as African American, but possibly as Hispanic. Well this is just an estimate to get some ball park notion of the diversity of DU.

[GOPFighter]

3. Maybe the numbers will improve...

..with the establishment of DU Groups like this one.

[msgadget]

4. Estimating via the Gallery is misleading

I ran into more than 4 AAs before this group was formed. AAs aren't posting their photos and a lot just haven't had a reason to reveal themselves as non-white yet or may have done so in passing. Race is not a profile question so ya never know who you're talking to.

I wonder what percentage of the African American population as a whole is politically active in integrated progressive organizations.

[HamdenRice]

5. Estimating by gallery...

The idea is not that the gallery represents all DUers. It is that the gallery represents a random sample. The gallery is a tiny portion of all DUers, but if white people and people of color are just as likely to post pictures, then the gallery is a random sample.

These are the same mathematical principles -- the laws of probability -- that allow pollsters to determine levels of political support for candidates based on a tiny sample of maybe 1000 voters actually called and polled to predict how 100 million voters will actually vote.

My guess is that the gallery is a random sample, and therefore these numbers are close to the overall level of diversity. I don't know, however, what the margin of error would be.

[msgadget]

7. I understand

but I don't think we can assume all ethnicities are equally likely to post photos. Based on past experience in forums I've found just the opposite to be so unless the forum was specifically AA. Might avatars or user names make for a better sampling?

[HamdenRice]

8. I agree, but ...

these estimates are probably accurate at least as "order of magnitude" estimates. If so, it's kind of discouraging.

I also tend to think the estimate is right, because outside this AA group, whenever racial issues come up, there is a lot of really bizarre thinking about race on DU. The majority of posters come across as well meaning but clueless white liberals on the issue of race. SemiCharmed's outraged posts were what really prompted me to do the estimate in the first place.

[msgadget]

9. LOL!

How are you today, Hamden? It's always good to see you.

I'm really not disagreeing with you, just unwilling to believe there are so few of us interested in matters crucial to our survival. That's the way I see it. I don't blame non-blacks for being clueless about some things, instead I mourn the missing minorities who should be as avid.

Hamden, your thread interested me now because I've been reading about the civil rights era again. At that time even the Democrats were reluctant to vote for our equality and here we are again, with a reluctant party unwilling to act against their political and financial interests to represent us wholeheartedly. With more people turning to the 'net due to a dozing media, DU could be a valuable resource, this group in particular.

The question is how to attract more people of color to participate and be read online. A more diverse population benefits all of us.

[HamdenRice]

13. I'm sure there are many ...

people of color who would be interested, but just don't know yet about DU. I find that in NYC, for example, the vast majority of people I meet who know about WBAI and Pacifica Radio are African American and Hispanic. So, I think people of color are very interested in progressive politics. It's just a matter of when they discover DU.

BTW, I remember briefly participating in a forum called Everythingblack.com. It was kind of disappointing. There were a couple of Black-Muslim fanatics, a few economic nationalists, and a lot of anti-Hispanic sentiment. But I had the impression that the majority of black people posting were from the south and west, and they definitely had a more insular approach to other minorities than tends to be the case here on the east coast. It seems that most of the participants in this group are from NYC or the northeast.

As for the party, it's kind of pathetic that Black people are far and away their most loyal voters, but this seems to work against us, as the party takes our votes for granted. Now that's an interesting topic -- how to translate that huge voting support into influence in the party. For years we've been told that we don't get listened to by the party because we don't vote. That's complete rubbish -- we're the biggest voting block the party has!

[msgadget]

16. It's been mentioned in the press,

particularly in the tin-foil hat-type reporting following the election. I was referred here by a friend when I asked about a complete media list just prior to Nov.2 and I've repaid that favor by similarly plugging DU. But, Hamden, I fear my not being as cool as you may be why my local recruitment efforts are failing. It could be my intensity is scaring them away! :silly: Do you tell those you meet about DU?

Many, many years ago I participated in an AA forum on Compuserve with a heavy sprinkling of Northeastern members. During my brief stay one rabid conservative (think Armstrong Williams) so offended everyone that 90% of the dialogue consisted of beating him back. I thought this one angry man was a minority among minorities whose views were shaped by bitter experience and disappointment. Oh, how I misjudged him, the depth of his impatience with the Democratic black status quo and the creeping influence of white conservatives. I consider him an early warning I ignored.

We don't yet have one credible national spokesperson or group to threaten the party into acting on our behalf. If they thought we'd all either vote Independent or stay home, perhaps...?

[msgadget]

11. Here's a link to an archived thread

from a similarly frustrated African American, Hamden. I haven't seen him/her active in this group yet.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=113x12410

Edit: must learn to proofread.

[Catherine Vincent]

14. I'm colored.

So says my birth certificate!:-)

[FrenchieCat]

15. Isn't that something!

My Birth Certificate is a French one. Ironic....they have no race classification whatsoever!

Is that you as a little girl...on your Avatar? If it is....you are a real super cutie, you are.

[Catherine Vincent]

17. Yes, that is me. I was around 9.

And thank you for the compliment and may I return it to you? Your pic above is nice. I think you are what the guys call a "hottie".:-) You should post it in the gallery.

[FrenchieCat]

18. Right back at ya for the nice compliment...

at 46 years of age and married 20 years....it's always positive to be called any word that my kids use to denote "good" stuff in their lingo.

Glad the "youthful" Black gene is doing its duty....wasn't sure till recently whether I had gotten that coveted portion of the black gene pool (being 1/2 means no guarantees). Thank God I think I did.

Because my husband is 10 years older than me yet doesn't look a day over 40, I would be hardpressed to feel "Hot" if I started looking older than he. He has to show his Driver's license to the disbelievers whenever he tries to get those "senior" discounts. I told him that I was looking for that "Dorian Grey" portrait hidden somewhere in the house (just kidding, of course).

So you see, I needed the youth gene just for the sake of my own sanity.

[Sparkle]

19. Excuse my ignorance but

I keep hearing this reference to Dorian Grey. What's that about?

[FrenchieCat]

20. Classic Book and later a movie....

in where a handsome but cunning and plotting young man doesn't seem to age. Initially it is not noticeable....however, as those around start aging and he continues to look the same, some start to wonder.

At the end of the story, a full length portrait of him (painted early in the story)is found in a closet in his home. The portrait itself is deformed, aged, and literally oozing full of ugliness.

It is later found that he had made a pact of some sort, and instead of his person showing the ravages of age and of character flaws, the portrait suffers those instead. The portrait is so ugly and hideous that the one that finds it screams a blood curdling scream. Movie was made back in the 40s or early 50s. Good Hichcock type of plot.

It is required reading for many young people in schools today (not back when I was in high school though).

[Kahuna]

21. What a cute little girl you were..

:D

[Catherine Vincent]

26. Thank you, Kahuna!

:-)

[Kahuna]

22. I can tell you that there are still a lot of AA DUers who haven't joined

this group. So, there are definately more of us than 4 or 5. My guess would be in the neighborhood of 30 to 40. Which would make us statistically insignificant in relation to the entire registered DU community.

[slor]

23. I am here...

I actually just got word that the interracial group was formed and then I saw this! I will post to both. Glad I found this.

[angee_is_mad]

24. Checking in

As a black woman I have been concerned about some of the posts on DU and the lack of inclusion and sensitivity of some of the posters and quite frankly our politicians. So having this group available so that I can vent is like a breath of fresh air for me.

[divineorder]

25. Joining in

I think that there's more people of color online than the Gallery is likely to show. But I suspect a lot of Black people are for a host of reasons, unlikely to post their pictures online in a forum that can be seen by all.

I've seen this on the list, but until now haven't really checked it out. I'l make this a favorite from now on

[fortyfeetunder]

27. OK, I am another one

I decided after seeing the uniqueness thread I'd better fess up and say yeah, I am here...LOL

[msgadget]

28. Welcome, Forty!

:hi:

[Karenina]

29. Hmmm...

:kick:

[blazinjason]

30. Black Male checking in. Great forum!

I didn't know about it's existence until today.

Peace all.

BJ

[RagingInMiami]

31. Latino male here

[Huckebein the Raven]

32. I am African-American.

:hi:

[Karenina]

33. I was BORN IN THE USA, got brown skin

(AND been Yurapeenized). We are a TINY minority on this board.

[Solly Mack]

34. and people like me

daughter of a mother whose parents were tsalagi (father) and white (mother)and whose father's parents were melungeon (mother) and white (father)

So I'm black, white, Cherokee... and a mishmash of "other" because of the melungeon line.

I look white and for the most part people view me as white.... but with a family history that changed the dynamics of what "being white" means in America. Meaning I grew up knowing white skin opened doors.
I grew up being different from most of my friends (black or white)...I know what it's like to be too black for some and too white for others. My paternal grandmother doesn't change that my skin came out white. Police see a white woman driving the car. Shop-keepers see a white woman browsing in the store. Racists see white skin..and walk on by me without comment.

I'll never be black...I'm too white to fully understand how it feels to be black in America. I haven't suffered the discrimination black people do and never really will...nor the discrimination my mother suffered(family burned out by the klan when she was a child,being mistakened for the nanny of her own light hued children) or my grandmother(dark skinned woman married to a white man in 1920's Georgia).

I'll never be white...I'm too black to not know what being black in America means. When racist white people assume they can say anything to me and they think I'll agree because they assume my white skin means I will, I speak up and disabuse their notions... I get a very small taste..it's bitter and it hurts...but it's still so small compared to what black people in America go through.

[politicasista]

35. I am African-American

:hi:

[Blue_Tires]

36. the gallery is a bad sample (i don't use it)

also, many of those pics are old, and belong to people that haven't posted in ages

[Brewman_Jax]

37. Over here

and there are many very unenlightened and misinformed DU'ers, just like in the general population. Unlike the general population, the idiots will be eventually kicked off the board; IRL, they vote the wrong way. :(

[Chovexani]

38. Black female here

With a dash of other things (Romani, N.A. and gods know what else). :hi:

[GoGo1]

39. Black Woman with attitude here and

I still press and curl my hair!

This is a wonderful forum.

Go Go :hi:

[USAcitizen]

44. I just started wearing mine natural again

I like this forum also.

[Window]

40. Hello everyone.

Black woman checking in. Just found this forum today! Please to know it's here.

Peace

[Window]

41. Please = Pleased

.

[USAcitizen]

43. Next time, you can just edit your text.

Nice to know you.:hi:

[USAcitizen]

42. Hi, I am a African American Woman

I believe there are more African American DU members, but you can only use this group if you have donated to DU.

[IronLionZion]

45. Indian Male IronLionZion checking in

I just searched DU for myself and found this thread. interesting points. It's really impossible to find an accurate reading of anything on DU because that kind of stuff is not recorded when we sign up and you never know who is on and looking at threads.

[noiretextatique]

46. definitely more than 4 black people here

black woman here, of mixed racial ancestry, of course. indian (comanche), white, and african like most african americans.