Why are Cubans labeled or considered white in South Florida? (Miami: approval, diversity)

[ckhthankgod]

Crisp and city pretty much summed it up. Yes, there are Cubans and "Hispanics" of different races.

Also, the concept or scheme they use in terms of race is different than what we use here in the US. So, I think that is why many people think that "Hispanic" is a race, due to the stereotypical view of what that person is supposed to look like. For instance, if I saw David Ortiz and didn't know his name at all, what would you say he is? What about Cameron Diaz? Both would be identified as "Hispanic", but we sure know there is a difference between the two. This is the only country with the label "Hispanic" as well.

Most of the Cubans that are in the US are White Cubans for the overwhelming part and they actually do better than White non-Hispanics, when comparing the the two. It isn't by accident that Cuba is now about 65% people of African descent, either full(about 12%) or partial(about 50 or so percent), but those numbers can be varied as the offical census says otherwise and can be questioned, but still a large percent of the population. Castro played up to the groups that were disenfranchised and that wasn't the deal for many, if not most of the White Cubans. There are also Chinese Cubans too and many of the Chinese here in the US actually came by way of Cuba. I believe there still is a sprinkle of Native Cubans too.

Here's some information on Chinese Cubans:Somewhere Between White and Black: The Chinese in Mississippi | Asian American History | OAH Magazine of History (read the paragraph after the heading Finding a place)

Chinese Cuban - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Barrio Chino

Flor de Mayo | Restaurant Review | New York City | Frommers.com

and some other info. on Cuba:Cuba - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cuba - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...k/geos/cu.html

[rnc2mbfl]

On the US Census website, they categorize by races: White, Asian, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiin or other Pacific Islander. They also have the option of two or more races and some other race. Separated from the race category is another category called "Hispanic or Latino (of any race)". This suggests that Hispanic or Latino isn't considered a race by the Census but is some other unique qualifier that signals a group identity that transcends traditional race categorization. I imagine that this is purely a result of the significant impact that Spanish speaking cultures have on our country. The conundrum for the Census in recognizing this in the face of the fact that the latin culture spans traditional definitions of race.

For me, I imagine that it's sort of like how Canada describes the "French-Canadian" population in their country. While the majority of French-Canadians could be considered "white", to deny them their unique heritage would be disrespectful. The same could be said for those with Latin heritage in the US.

That said, the majority of experience "Americans" have with Latin culture is Mexican. And, while Mexico has its fair share of racial diversity, it's typically the poorer Mexicans, whose race is not typically European based, that tends to shape most Americans' image of what it means to be Hispanic or Latin.

Miami offers a great lesson for the often myopic American. We have the opportunity to learn that the Carribean, Central America and South American countries offer diversity in what it means to be Latin in America.

[ckhthankgod]

Wrong Alphaman, there are Black Cubans. Remember, it is a country and ethnicity within the general "Hispanic" ethnicity, not a race. Check out Teofilo Stevenson, Jose Contreras and other Cuban athletes. Most of them are Black or of Black African descent and mainly of Western African basis like most Blacks here in this Hemisphere. Only difference between them and Black people in the US is the general language and culture base of the country they live in. If anything, our Cuban brothers and sisters have retained more of their African roots than us American brothers and sisters, due the more forced assimilation of American Blacks in comparison to the more acculturiztion of Cuban Blacks. Meaning that the Spanish weren't as hell bent in influencing them with European culture or in taking that African culture away in comparison to the English and some other Euro groups did here in the States. Eventhough it occurred to some extent, it didn't occur as much.

[runswithscissors]

Originally Posted by city414

because those cubans are white, in terms of ethnicity they are minorites because they fall under hispanic/latino which arent racial groups fyi

but another thing is all florida cubans dont say that because many different cubans have since then came to the U.S its just that many of the earlier cubans were and are of spanish, italian,corscian, german descent etc.

spanish people as in spainards?

also racial categories in america dont reflect to whats many are called in latin america

meztizo
mullato
zambo
meztico

are among those not offered on U.S cencus and or applications

1). Even though the government generally considers race and Hispanic origin to be separate on the census form, PREDICTABLY it caused confusion in the Hispanic community....so even though it's considered politically incorrect to treat Hispanic origin as "race" the Census documents provide for that catch all for self identification using the term RACE.

See page 2:

"Starting with Census 2000, the OMB requires federal agencies to use a minimum of five race categories:"

"'Some other race' was included in Census 2000 for respondents who were unable to idenify with the five Office of management and Budget race categories. Respondents who provided write-in entries such as Moroccan, South African, Belizean, or a Hispanic origin (for example, Mexican, Puerto Rican, or Cuban) are included in the Some other race category."

It appears that the Hispanics had a problem knowing what to call themselves too (no surprise there) so they had to make up a whole new 6th category.

Page 3

QUOTE:

"For respondents unable to identify with any of these five race categories, the OMB approved including a sixth category — “Some other race”— on the Census 2000 questionnaire.

The category Some other race is used in Census 2000 and a few other federal data collection activities.

As discussed later, ****most respondents who reported Some other race are Hispanic.*****"

http://www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/cenbr01-1.pdf


2) Are you freaking even kidding me that we should care for a moment about these categories like the above post. As individuals or as the government. Frankly I think you guys are just having a trivia contest now.

This is as ridiculous as expecting the population to care if you are Italian as in Sicilian, Calabrese, Neapolitan etc....Or how about we start having to know all the African tribes and sub sects. How about Iceland? Quick call Bjork, there's a debate about if she's Inuit or Viking.

Please...get out more...mingle with people who have other interests. LOL

Or do something measurable like you can invent a color chart for the next census and everyone who's dying to review their skin colors can circle the color that applies to them. Sorta like the tooth color chart the dentist uses for cap colors.


.

[Alpha man]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

Wrong Alphaman, there are Black Cubans. Remember, it is a country and ethnicity within the general "Hispanic" ethnicity, not a race. Check out Teofilo Stevenson, Jose Contreras and other Cuban athletes. Most of them are Black or of Black African descent and mainly of Western African basis like most Blacks here in this Hemisphere. Only difference between them and Black people in the US is the general language and culture base of the country they live in. If anything, our Cuban brothers and sisters have retained more of their African roots than us American brothers and sisters, due the more forced assimilation of American Blacks in comparison to the more acculturiztion of Cuban Blacks. Meaning that the Spanish weren't as hell bent in influencing them with European culture or in taking that African culture away in comparison to the English and some other Euro groups did here in the States. Eventhough it occurred to some extent, it didn't occur as much.

first of all, i'm ALPHA MAN, not ALPHAMAN. we are 2 diff members. get it right. secondly, i chose not 2 read what u wrote because idont feel like arguing. cubans are not a race. unlike other cultures they just arent.

[city414]

Originally Posted by Alpha man

cubans will never be americans because they don't have an approval process. if a black man wanted to get into america they would have to be approved, hence the name "african american". so blacks are americans. cubans are not black the last time i checked.

you just dont get it do u? theres other types of blacks here such as people from or those who are descendants from jamaicans, trinis,bajans,bahamians, various black africans, colombians, they just arent american/ african ameriacan in national origin they're still black tho. just blacks from other national cultures

[ckhthankgod]

Not arguing ALPHA MAN, just trying to cut through the hype of what a "Hispanic" is and that they can be of any race. Just sayin', bruh......

[ckhthankgod]

Exactly city, the African diaspora is pretty big and is all over this hemisphere.

[TriMT7]

This appears to be a hot topic the past few days!

[garxhap]

Alpha Man: I can tell by your post that you don't feel much like typing either.