A census taker once tried to test me

[john70t]

Originally Posted by ossiblue

Don't conflate race, ethnicity, and origins. In the context of the census,
African-American is recognized as a racial identifier though it sounds like it relates to origins.

Jewish, is recognized as an ethnic identifier as well as religious, and in the context of the census, it's the ethnic interpretation.

"White," of course, is a racial identity.

??

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by ossiblue

Just curious as to how many received a paper census or had an actual census taker come to their home.

Like others, I received a form in the mail for an on-line census. It was noted that if the on-line version wasn't taken by a certain date, I believe it was April 1st., then a paper form would be sent, and possibly a census taker would come to the house.

.

I got 2 of the notices to go on line for the census. Its fast and easy. Like my ex.

[flipper35]

My mom is human but my dad was midichlorian.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by ossiblue View Post
Don't conflate race, ethnicity, and origins. In the context of the census,
African-American is recognized as a racial identifier though it sounds like it relates to origins.

Jewish, is recognized as an ethnic identifier as well as religious, and in the context of the census, it's the ethnic interpretation.

"White," of course, is a racial identity.

Originally Posted by john70t

??

This was in response to the post by LWJ about the white, Jewish kid from South Africa and the “puzzle”as to how to identify him.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

I got 2 of the notices to go on line for the census. Its fast and easy. Like my ex.

Actually, I got two notices as well (from the Census Bureau, not your ex.)

[Brando]

I put United States as our origin. I didn't immigrate from anywhere else - my family has been here since before the civil war.

[Bill Douglas]

A Chinese lady and I were being a bit friendly and she said She "Likes American man." then she elaborated by say in China any white fulla is called an American Man.

[john70t]

ossiblue- Race, ethnicity, religion, country of origin for that person's ancient ancestors (only partial) several centuries before all seem to be getting scrambled up.
Different rules there it seems like.

Mix and match any of them.
Which one then becomes the dominant self-identifier? Is there a standard rule? Should there be?

We are all mutts of one sort or another.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by john70t

ossiblue- Race, ethnicity, religion, country of origin for that person's ancient ancestors (only partial) several centuries before all seem to be getting scrambled up.
Different rules there it seems like.

Mix and match any of them.
Which one then becomes the dominant self-identifier? Is there a standard rule? Should there be?

We are all mutts of one sort or another.

Completely agree.

[ltusler]

White American is what I put, other than that it was name rank and serial number.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by flipper35

My mom is human but my dad was midichlorian.

Are you sure he wasn't mitochondria ? They are the powerhouse of the cell. Your dad was probably Mandalorean, but that isn't really a race or a species.

I'm pure WASP-American. I was a DINC before my wife retired.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by LWJ

How about this?

My buddy was born in South Africa.

He is white, and ethnically Jewish.

He is a US citizen now.

Is he African American? White? Jewish?

I think the labels don't work and he is a perfect example.

Originally Posted by ossiblue

Just curious as to how many received a paper census or had an actual census taker come to their home.

Like others, I received a form in the mail for an on-line census. It was noted that if the on-line version wasn't taken by a certain date, I believe it was April 1st., then a paper form would be sent, and possibly a census taker would come to the house.


Yes, the on-line form is very short and easy to fill in. The origins question was also included but I chose to leave it blank. When I clicked to the next question, the origins question reappeared with highlighted text, encouraging it to be filled in. I ignored it again, clicked for the next question, and that was it.

Don't conflate race, ethnicity, and origins. In the context of the census, African-American is recognized as a racial identifier though it sounds like it relates to origins. Jewish, is recognized as an ethnic identifier as well as religious, and in the context of the census, it's the ethnic interpretation. "White," of course, is a racial identity. So the friend who is all of those is, in fact, all of those because each term identifies a different aspect of their overall identity. It's not an "either/or" classification.

Maybe I'm wrong (but I don't think so because I specifically looked for it), but on the online form, I do not recall "Jewish" being an option. Maybe I missed it as I was just trying to do the stupid thing as quickly as possible.

I understand both of your points above and do not disagree with them, but just FWIW.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Maybe I'm wrong (but I don't think so because I specifically looked for it), but on the online form, I do not recall "Jewish" being an option. Maybe I missed it as I was just trying to do the stupid thing as quickly as possible.

I understand both of your points above and do not disagree with them, but just FWIW.

Yes, religion is not on the form. My answer certainly implied that it was and that was incorrect. As you recognize, it was used as an example of how identifiers are conflated and was in response to the LWJ post. However, the form simply has an open box for placing one's "origin." Someone could put anything within that box, including "Jewish," if they so wished.

[Noah930]

Next time I run into my caucasian South African Jewish friends living here in America (we actually know a couple families) I'll ask them what box they check. Statistically speaking, it's an insignificant amount. But it would be interesting to hear their take on it.