Census:

[Texasgal]

Why was "Hispanic" or "Mexican American" omitted as an option for race?

I just finished up my interview with a census worker and was shocked that there was no race option for this group. It was "other"...wtf?

[hlthe2b]

1. Neither are a category of race... Hispanic is ethnicity

[Berry Cool]

2. Are you sure you were being interviewed by a census worker?

"Hispanic" is actually a separate question! They ask if you're of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin, and you can say no or yes (and specify which). Then they ask you to describe your race, and true, they don't list Hispanic under that, but you can list it again.

If the worker didn't ask you the Hispanic question, something's not right.

[Texasgal]

4. yes..I was.... and not one of the "race"

options were for "latino" or " hispanic". She said I could say "white" or "other". :shrug:

[Brickbat]

3. Because it's not considered a race for the census.

It's considered national origin. People can still say "Hispanic" for race if they want to, though.

[Texasgal]

5. Wonder why?

I mean, I guess I am just confused about race... :shrug: Maybe?

[jp11]

6. You and me both, I look at us all as being of the human race, everything else is where we may trace

our geographic origins but then I'm no genius.

[Brickbat]

8. The federal government considers being Hispanic or Latino an ethnicity rather than a race.

You can self-identify however you want on the census, though, so if you say "Yes, Hispanic" to that question and insist on "Hispanic" for the race question, the census worker is required to write down "Hispanic."

No one is going to check your answers. It's up to you and how you identify.

[hlthe2b]

7. Here is how it is asked on the 2010 census

Hispanic Identity

Since the 1970 Census, the questionnaire has asked U.S. residents whether they are of Hispanic origin, and if so, which broad Hispanic group they identify with. Hispanic origin is considered separately from race in the Census—and Hispanics may identify with any race. As the largest and fastest-growing ethnic minority in the United States, the information about Hispanic origin is of growing importance. It is used in numerous programs and for monitoring equal employment opportunities.

Race

The 2010 questionnaire lists 15 racial categories, as well as places to write in specific races not listed on the form. The 2010 Census continues the option first introduced in the 2000 Census for respondents to choose more than one race. Only about 2 percent of Americans identified with more than one race in the 2000 Census, but the percentage was much higher for children and young adults and will likely increase in 2010.

[Texasgal]

9. Hmmm.. I could have sworn she did not ask me question 5

Ofcourse, I could be wrong and just overlooked it myself. She was a very nice lady! I told her I was very sorry that she had to come out but I explained that I never received my form. She said it was no problem.

I sent her off with a cold bottle of organic sweet leaf tea! It's hot here today!

[hlthe2b]

12. Good on you... Lots of folks didn't get a form--If you use a PO Box

you definitely did not. I've met lots of census workers in my area of Denver visiting homes. Most are just glad to have the work and at least in Denver, are not likely to encounter the anti-government types that cause them headaches.

[arcadian]

10. If it really concerned you that much

you could have answered Mexican or Hispanic for race and the enumerator would have put that down or should have.

[Texasgal]

11. I am not all that concerned

more curious if anything. ??

And I did put down" hispanic" as other.

[hayu_lol]

13. We have reached the point where...

it is impossible to list all the variations of the human species. My son lives with me. He is half caucasian and half Filipino. He could qualify to be in the Hispanic listings since there is certainly Spanish blood in his mix. Also Chinese, French, and a host of others.

I sent along a small note to attempt to clarify status. LOL.

The info is important once the raw data is collected and processed.