Case Study in the Construction of Race: U.S. Census
Racial/Ethnic Identity Question (1870 U.S. Census) Color – White (W), Black (B), Mulatto (M), Chinese (C), Indian (I)
Racial/Ethnic Identity Question (1950 U.S. Census) Race: White (W), Negro (Neg), American Indian (Ind), Japanese (Jap), Chinese (Chi), Filipino (Fil), Other race -- spell out
Racial/Ethnic Identity Question, part 1 (2000 U.S. Census) Is this person Spanish/Hispanic/Latino? Mark [X] the "No" box if not Spanish/Hispanic/ Latino. O No, not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino O Yes, Mexican, Mexican Am., Chicano O Yes, Puerto Rican O Yes, Cuban O Yes, other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino - Print group.
Racial/Ethnic Identity Question, part 2 (2000 U.S. Census) What is this person's race? Mark [X] one or more races to indicate what this person considers himself/herself to be. O WhiteO Black, African Am., or Negro O American Indian or Alaska Native - Print name of enrolled or principal tribe. O Asian Indian O ChineseO Filipino O JapaneseO KoreanO Vietnamese O Other Asian - Print race. O Native Hawaiian O Guamanian or Chamorro O Samoan O Other Pacific Islander - Print race. O Some other race - Print race.
Follow up Questions How did the census change over time? Why the changes? How did the census change over time? Why the changes? How did the census remain the same over time? How did the census remain the same over time? What does it tell us about the meaning of "race” and “ethnicity?” What does it tell us about the meaning of "race” and “ethnicity?”
Points to Consider Consider what “race” is and is not. Consider what “race” is and is not. What are the differences between “race” and “ethnicity?” What are the similarities? What are the differences between “race” and “ethnicity?” What are the similarities? Suggested reference: RACE—The Power of Illusion (Aired on PBS, _04-about.htm) Suggested reference: RACE—The Power of Illusion (Aired on PBS, _04-about.htm)