Case Study in the Case Study in the Construction of Race:Construction of Race:

U.S. CensusU.S. Census

Racial/Ethnic Identity Racial/Ethnic Identity Question (1870 U.S. Question (1870 U.S.

Census)Census)

Color – White (W), Black (B), Color – White (W), Black (B), Mulatto (M), Chinese (C), Indian (I) Mulatto (M), Chinese (C), Indian (I)

Racial/Ethnic Identity Racial/Ethnic Identity Question (1950 U.S. Question (1950 U.S.

Census)Census)

Race: White (W), Negro (Neg), Race: White (W), Negro (Neg), American Indian (Ind), Japanese American Indian (Ind), Japanese (Jap), Chinese (Chi), Filipino (Fil), (Jap), Chinese (Chi), Filipino (Fil), Other race -- spell outOther race -- spell out

Racial/Ethnic IdentityRacial/Ethnic IdentityQuestion, part 1Question, part 1

(2000 U.S. Census)(2000 U.S. Census)

Is this person Spanish/Hispanic/Latino? Mark [X] Is this person Spanish/Hispanic/Latino? Mark [X] the "No" box if not Spanish/Hispanic/ Latino.the "No" box if not Spanish/Hispanic/ Latino.

O No, not Spanish/Hispanic/LatinoO No, not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino

O Yes, Mexican, Mexican Am., Chicano O Yes, Mexican, Mexican Am., Chicano

O Yes, Puerto RicanO Yes, Puerto Rican

O Yes, CubanO Yes, Cuban

O Yes, other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino - Print O Yes, other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino - Print group.group.

Racial/Ethnic IdentityRacial/Ethnic IdentityQuestion, part 2Question, part 2

(2000 U.S. Census)(2000 U.S. Census)What is this person's race? Mark [X] one or What is this person's race? Mark [X] one or more races to indicate what this person more races to indicate what this person considers himself/herself to be. O Whiteconsiders himself/herself to be. O White O O Black, African Am., or NegroBlack, African Am., or Negro

O American Indian or Alaska Native - Print name O American Indian or Alaska Native - Print name of enrolled or principal tribe.of enrolled or principal tribe.

O Asian Indian O Asian Indian O ChineseO Chinese O FilipinoO Filipino

O JapaneseO Japanese O KoreanO Korean O VietnameseO Vietnamese

O Other Asian - Print race.O Other Asian - Print race.

O Native Hawaiian O Native Hawaiian O Guamanian or O Guamanian or ChamorroChamorro

O Samoan O Samoan O Other Pacific Islander - Print race.O Other Pacific Islander - Print race.

O Some other race - Print race.O Some other race - Print race.

Follow up QuestionsFollow up Questions

• How did the census change over How did the census change over time? Why the changes?time? Why the changes?

• How did the census remain the How did the census remain the same over time?same over time?

• What does it tell us about the What does it tell us about the meaning of "race” and meaning of "race” and “ethnicity?” “ethnicity?”

Points to ConsiderPoints to Consider• Consider what “race” is and is not.Consider what “race” is and is not.• What are the differences between What are the differences between

“race” and “ethnicity?” What are “race” and “ethnicity?” What are the similarities?the similarities?

• Suggested reference: RACE—The Suggested reference: RACE—The Power of Illusion (Aired on PBS, Power of Illusion (Aired on PBS, 2003. 2003. http://www.pbs.org/race/000_About/http://www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002_04-about.htm)002_04-about.htm)