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Hahaha! I don't blame Condi for saying that she is black. She is mixed over generations (Haven't encountered a black American yet who isn't; Skip Gates has not either to my knowledge) and percentages means nothing when you are raised that you are a black person. Ask Condi's "black" father if he was still alive.
That is exactly right.
I can more easily claim being white since I am 60% AND I grew up with a white parent, in a generally stereotypical "white" culture environment, than if my parents both self-identified as black (and were fair skinned to boot). Blacks have long known they were part white. DNA tests surprise no one in that regard, but the vast majority who self-identify as simply black and nothing else, very likely won't change that label even if they found out they were only 25% african DNA (or less; as I bet many are).
I would probably put down white since that is the largest percentage of your DNA. Personally I never answer these questions if it's not a definite requirement.
Hispanics aren't actually a race, or ethnic, group. This is a common error, and I used to make it myself -- but know that when referring to ethnicity, Latino/Latina are the terms to use. "Hispanic" just means you have ancestors who once lived in Spain, regardless of ethnicity.
Referring to which 'race' to identify as, it seems that, percentage-wise, and based on what you said about your phenotype, that you'd be considered "white" in America, at least in a social context. Nonetheless, I think in the context of forms such as the census, you can select "mixed," which would be appropriate in your case, since 30% is still a statistically significant admixture.
May I ask which DNA testing company you used to get your results? On 23andMe, there is a big difference between those who score 28% or more in African ancestry, and those who identify as black or white. Apparently, in most cases, 28% usually causes enough of a phenotypic effect that there is a large disparity between those who identify as black vs. those who have 27% or less African DNA. That is, most who are 28% or more identify as black, whereas 27% or less identify as white. Since you said you scored 30%, but "look" more European, your case appears to be anomalous, unless you used a different DNA testing company.
According to my heritage, I am English, Irish and Hispanic, which (as far as I'm concerned) means that I am "Caucasian" b/c "Hispanic" isn't a race.
However, on most stupid ****ing census forms, you can only choose either "Caucasian (non-Hispanic)" or "Hispanic."
So, I usually choose not to answer or choose "Other" or check both boxes (Caucasian and Hispanic) even though the form tells you to only choose one.
I really don't understand how a country that supposedly lauds the multi-ethnic heritages of its people (cf. "the melting pot") can consistently present census forms that allow people to check only ONE box
Hahaha! I don't blame Condi for saying that she is black. She is mixed over generations (Haven't encountered a black American yet who isn't; Skip Gates has not either to my knowledge) and percentages means nothing when you are raised that you are a black person. Ask Condi's "black" father if he was still alive. Maybe this has something to do with that One Drop Rule and then that "mulatto" designation on the census that disappeared by 1930? Hhmmm....
OP for me, it is the one that you have identified with culturally up until the point of testing. FOR ME. But please consider and explore your other ethnicity. I have always known on some level that I am not 100% African, but suspected heavily African pre-test. And even then as a black American, just where in Africa? I tend to follow and adhere to my cultural background in my identity as I KNEW it, growing up. And this is coming from someone who was often confused when people would ask my racial background.
I am southern black American. To put it out there, I am Straight Outta Mississippi!
Thankyou for your response and honestly up until this point i have never really felt like i would be in any group. i grew up in very white areas, had mostly white friends however my dads side has a huge obsession with the mexican culture and turns out I'm only 10% mexican. Which is a huge dissapointment as i expected much higher.
Hispanics aren't actually a race, or ethnic, group. This is a common error, and I used to make it myself -- but know that when referring to ethnicity, Latino/Latina are the terms to use. "Hispanic" just means you have ancestors who once lived in Spain, regardless of ethnicity.
Referring to which 'race' to identify as, it seems that, percentage-wise, and based on what you said about your phenotype, that you'd be considered "white" in America, at least in a social context. Nonetheless, I think in the context of forms such as the census, you can select "mixed," which would be appropriate in your case, since 30% is still a statistically significant admixture.
May I ask which DNA testing company you used to get your results? On 23andMe, there is a big difference between those who score 28% or more in African ancestry, and those who identify as black or white. Apparently, in most cases, 28% usually causes enough of a phenotypic effect that there is a large disparity between those who identify as black vs. those who have 27% or less African DNA. That is, most who are 28% or more identify as black, whereas 27% or less identify as white. Since you said you scored 30%, but "look" more European, your case appears to be anomalous, unless you used a different DNA testing company.
I agree the terms are very confusing, even before i posted on this forum i actually looked up the defintions of latin, hispanic, spanish so i wouldnt get ridiculed on here. Heres the weird part my last name is from spain yet I'm only 2% spanish? I used DNA Ancestry. Despite me only being 2% spanish and 8% italian I look like i came from those regions or even from the middle eastern regions even though my ancestry comes mainly from scandinavia and britian.
According to my heritage, I am English, Irish and Hispanic, which (as far as I'm concerned) means that I am "Caucasian" b/c "Hispanic" isn't a race.
However, on most stupid ****ing census forms, you can only choose either "Caucasian (non-Hispanic)" or "Hispanic."
So, I usually choose not to answer or choose "Other" or check both boxes (Caucasian and Hispanic) even though the form tells you to only choose one.
I really don't understand how a country that supposedly lauds the multi-ethnic heritages of its people (cf. "the melting pot") can consistently present census forms that allow people to check only ONE box
Its very confusing, i guess hispanic isnt a race, so i literally have no idea what "race" really is. This is exactly why i came on this forum to get some answers. And yes I agree very much.
Hispanic is an ethnicity, not a race, and NO, not all Hispanics have Indio or other genetics. Many are 100% Caucasian (at least as far as they know).
So unless you were raised in a Hispanic household, NO, you cannot claim to be Hispanic. You are "mixed" - but then so are most people.
I have Native American heritage but I have never even tried to claim it. My Native American ancestors escaped to Canada around the time of the Trail of Tears, converted to Catholicism, took French names, and proceded to call themselves "French Canadian". Not on the Dawes Rolls. Plus - not raised in ANY Native American tradition. So no real reason or right to try to claim that on a form for special consideration.
You're not Hispanic. Period paragraph.
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