Question about SO's race

[Mrs. Forgetful 2]

Ok, so the hubby and I were going over a few job applications last week. We ran into a small problem. On one of the sheets it asks for your race/ethnicity(sp?) for some kind of purpose. Well We had a problem figuring out what the heck he is suspossed to be considered.

What does your ME/NA SO consider him/herself? He ended up putting white/caucasion because even though he is from Africa, he's not considered a black/ african American.

[Jenn! 918]

Yes, white/caucasian is correct.

From Wikipedia:

"In cases where individuals do not self-identify, the United States Census parameters for race gives each national origin a racial value. This groups Middle Eastern Americans and North African American together with European Americans as White Americans."

[UmmSqueakster 54]

DH always puts caucasian/white. I find it hilarious, because this puts him in the privileged class (white males), when he is not viewed as white by the general american public.

[noura 0]

same here.... white/caucasian for Said

[amal 4]

When Noor applied at Wal-Mart, It gave options with each race. Under White, Middle Eastern was one of the options. Since that day we have considered him White. He told me that they consider him white in his country as well. I had never thought of a ME country having whites and blacks but he said they definitely do. So yeah, White was our answer.

amal

[Henia 11]

Ok, so the hubby and I were going over a few job applications last week. We ran into a small problem. On one of the sheets it asks for your race/ethnicity(sp?) for some kind of purpose. Well We had a problem figuring out what the heck he is suspossed to be considered.

What does your ME/NA SO consider him/herself? He ended up putting white/caucasion because even though he is from Africa, he's not considered a black/ african American.

Why in that case he would be considered white/caucasion. It is written so (explaination) on most forms.

But his real ethnicity depends on his background. Is he Arabe, Kabilye, Bedioun, Toureg, etc... Many ethnic groups in MENA (not only Arabes)

[Mrs. Forgetful 2]

well on this form there was no explanation. He considers himself black and he says he is african, but not african american. That is why the only other logical choice would have been other if there had been that option. So I told him to put white. And judging by what everyone is saying, we chose correctly. \

Thanks everyone!

[Jenn! 918]

He considers himself black and he says he is african, but not african american.

Sorry, this just made me laugh. :lol:

Wadi also says he's "African", but not black.

[Kinsey 0]

Hi all,

I know this isn't my normal forum, but I saw your topic. I'm not exactly what it is you are looking at, but I believe if he's only applying for a job, that is optional information that they take on behalf of Equal Opportunity Employment (race, sex, veteren status, usually). There is usually a disclaimer that states that, and it's your option to fill it out.

[Together4ever 1]

Hi all,

I know this isn't my normal forum, but I saw your topic. I'm not exactly what it is you are looking at, but I believe if he's only applying for a job, that is optional information that they take on behalf of Equal Opportunity Employment (race, sex, veteren status, usually). There is usually a disclaimer that states that, and it's your option to fill it out.

We have found this to be true so far. It's optional so he simply left it blank.

[patiently_waiting 0]

Race and ethnicity are two different things. Sociologist will tell you that race has to do with the color or your skin and ethnicity is where you come from. For example, more commonly, hispanic is used as a race. However, there are white hispanics and black hispanics. Their ethnicity is hispanic, but the race would vary. The same hold true for Africans. There are white and black Africans. Hope this helped.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Many forms these days have an option for "other."

[Together4ever 1]

Many forms these days have an option for "other."

Surprisingly, we didn't run across ONE that had an "other". It was a stumbler. I know they are out there but I was shocked we didn't see any.

[Alex+R 0]

Yes, white/caucasian is correct.

From Wikipedia:

"In cases where individuals do not self-identify, the United States Census parameters for race gives each national origin a racial value. This groups Middle Eastern Americans and North African American together with European Americans as White Americans."

Sorry I'm not ME/NA but wanted to ask, Jenn, where did you find this?

Rey is ghostly pale (not as pale as me, but almost) but from Brazil. So does that make him white? Latino? He's half Portuguese/half Brazilian so who knows what racial mixture he has on the Brazilian side. What is the racial value for Brazil?

eta: nm you got it from wikipedia... boy i'm slow today...

Edited February 1, 2007 by Alex+R

[mmb 0]

I find this interesting too. My American SO is a 50:50 mix of Irish American and Japanese American but when asked to put his race on a form he puts white.

I'm mostly white with just a dash of Kashmiri but tend to put mixed race if that option is available.

He has trouble understanding my choice on forms and I have trouble understanding his.

Being from the UK as well I tend to say I'm mixed Asian/White but in America that implies a whole different mix.

Thinking back to the off topic thread on skin tone affecting earnings, maybe they should just put a colour chart on the forms and see what matches.