Are You “Not Hispanic”?

Filed Under anecdotes, lil things, politics, race

Over the last year or so I’ve come across numerous “demographic” questionnaires that are very particular about ferreting out the “Hispanics” among us. Last winter, the first of these threw both the LH and me for a real loop:

Strange Questionnaire

As you may or may not be able to see, the creators of this form apparently believe that if you are Hispanic you cannot identify as anything else. I especially love the last line: “Two or more races (not Hispanic or Latino).”

For a few moments, the LH was in a bit of quandary as to what box to check seeing as how he is half Japanese and half Mexican (European + indigenous + who knows). But eventually he chose Asian because … majority rules. (???) The thing is, the LH is not that unusual. I know of a dozen people who have one Mexican parent and one Pakistani parent. Not to mention the Chinese Cubans, and myriads of other folks.

This questionnaire came up when the LH was completing paperwork for employment - something to do with Homeland Security. Since that time, we’ve seen similar forms at the bank and other places. The most recent form that I saw like this was for the SATs - it was identical except for one curious addition: being Mexican warranted its very own box on its very own line.

At least it didn’t say “Mexican (not Hispanic or Latino).”

Comments

2 Responses to “Are You “Not Hispanic”?”

Toonhead on December 28th, 2007 8:53 am

The variation I see on surveys (mainly Harris Poll) concerns origin and white, black, Caucasian and African American are separate categories. Then the next question asks if you are of Hispanic or Latino origin.

The survey does include Asian, Pacific Islander as well but doesn’t make any distinctions among Asians and Pacific Islanders.
Scott Wells on December 28th, 2007 9:45 am

A couple of censuses ago, we were a “long form” family with interview. The census taker explained the distinction — which I’ve seen for years and have been left head-scratching, being part Hispanic and Latino myself — is between race and ethnicity. Which I still find confusing.

But that’s better than undercounting and ignoring the nation’s Hispanic and Latino persons who might be hidden behind any of the other racial identifications.

Leave a Reply