Minority Populations Booming in Va. (Arlington, Manassas: crime, school, closing)

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by JEB77

The block feature is cool. It appears that there are four people who live at the CIA, and they are all White. Now there's a surprise.

Ha! Interesting.

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by Caladium

Another factor is how many people responded to the cnesus in 2000 vs. how many responded in 2010. They made a point of trying to include more people this time around, so that might end up making it look like there was more of an increase in some groups than there actually was.

That's a good point as well. Nonetheless it is interesting to see just how many neighbors I have.

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by oneasterisk

When I was asked about my "race" I said American. The girl looked at me funny and repeated the choices. I told her I'd stick with my first answer...

Do you use census data? Race still matters in our society, and its handy to know things like how integrated are our metro areas, what are income trends by race, even things like home ownership or transportation choices by race.

You can deliberately confuse the data if you choose, but I dont think you are helping our society in the way you think you are.

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by Caladium

Good for you! The next time we have a census I think I'll do that too.

This is sort of a crazy thought, but I wonder if explanation is that the recession is making more young people these days choose Latino if they have any reason to put themselves in that group. It can be handy to call yourself Latino if you want to qualify for scholarships and financial aid packages.
.

If that is the reason they are silly - census forms are confidential, and do not prevent you from listing any particular group on say an employment form, or whatever.

[pcity]

Originally Posted by brooklynborndad

Do you use census data? Race still matters in our society, and its handy to know things like how integrated are our metro areas, what are income trends by race, even things like home ownership or transportation choices by race.

You can deliberately confuse the data if you choose, but I dont think you are helping our society in the way you think you are.

Considering race is an arbitrary and artificial construct to begin with, the stat is confused by definition. Adding non-racial ethnic backgrounds (Hispanic, Asian) just confuses the issue even further. Then add the fact that most people who identify as "black" have at least one white ancestor and it becomes clear that someone's true "race" is a totally meaningless concept.

"Race" as it is used in our society is a matter of self-identification rather than science. So if someone wants to call themselves American, and that's the way they identify themselves, it seems like that's the right answer to the question.

[pcity]

Originally Posted by Caladium

This is sort of a crazy thought, but I wonder if explanation is that the recession is making more young people these days choose Latino if they have any reason to put themselves in that group. It can be handy to call yourself Latino if you want to qualify for scholarships and financial aid packages.

People with Spanish-speaking family have always checked "Hispanic/Latino" on college apps and tried for Hispanic/Latino scholarships though.

I knew a few people in high school who did that even though their families were rich and times were good. Free money is free money. I doubt there's been any increase due to the recession.

(Slight terminology nitpick: I included the word "Hispanic" rather than just "Latino" because non-Latino people from Spanish-speaking cultures are generally allowed to apply for these scholarships as well.)

[khuntrevor]

Originally Posted by Caladium

Good for you! The next time we have a census I think I'll do that too.

This is sort of a crazy thought, but I wonder if explanation is that the recession is making more young people these days choose Latino if they have any reason to put themselves in that group. It can be handy to call yourself Latino if you want to qualify for scholarships and financial aid packages.

Or, maybe the increase is the result of more Latino babies being born. I don't tend to notice babies, so if there's been a lot born lately that might explain why there's an increase even though it feels like there are less Hispanics around these days. I have to admit I'm surprised. Not that I've been paying much attention to it, but I would have guessed that the Hispanic population was decreasing lately. I don't know why, it just seems like you don't see as many (assuming, of course, that you would know just by looking at a person.) But I guess I'm wrong. Like I said I haven't been paying much attention.

I had good luck checking the American-Indian Box, lol.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by brooklynborndad

Race still matters in our society, and its handy to know things like how integrated are our metro areas, what are income trends by race, even things like home ownership or transportation choices by race.

Why? I'm not trying to argue, I'm just curious. Why does it matter what income trends are by race, for example. The more I think about it, the more it seems no more important than knowing what income trends are by hair color.

[FindingZen]

RE: Census questions, we might want to refer to past discussions on this board as well as those on the Great Debates or Politics and Other Controversies board.

[JulzRulez]

The focus here should be what kinds of people are engaging in illegal activities and are here illegally. I don't care what color a person is, but if they're here promoting gangs, drugs, and making money under the table, (taking jobs that US citizens could fill, esp. with the hurting employment rates), then that's what I want to know.

Not how many of what race moved here or relocated there. I can't stand these general statistics.