I'm Irish, black, Puerto rican and native american?

Question

I come from a ethnicaly diverse family and am proud of it. When I have to fill out any type of form that specifies race i usually check off everything. Some forms say you can fill out only one race so i check off other. The law in the United States says if you have 1/16th of black blood you are to be considered black. I personally think it is stupid to have to pick a race as I was raised that there is only one race but, many different ethnicities. I think thats the reason we can't get along in this beautiful country of ours we are so busy saying we are Black, Irish, Jewish, Italian and some where along the line we forget we should be American first. I am proud of all the varities I have that make me me! I hate having to quantify my self for anyone. Why not just accept me for me?

Answer 1

There ought to be a box on those forms that says "human".
I've always wondered what "other" meant. Could it be for aliens? (I mean the kind that come out of space ships, not boats or buses.)

Answer 2

Well, God made different races and languages because of the Tower of Babel thing. There are very few people who can say they're "Pure Blood". Racial differences are taught. If you look at small children playing at a school yard or park, they naturally play with eachother. They don't see race or color as we do when we're told it's "wrong" or not "kosher". I have several nationalities in me and had no problem until I moved from the West coast to the deep South at age 12 in the late 1960's/early 1970's. Dude, they couldn't decide if I was white or black. I had to teach them it didn't matter. They were taught, unfortunately, that it did.

Answer 3

yes, i hate having to fill those things out too. it just divides people even more. so usually just check off other also or don't even do it. i remember once in school only a couple of homerooms [oddly the real diverse ones] got a paper just about races. we all had to check off what we were and i put down native american [bcuz thats what i am]. i passed it in reluctantly but i just felt upset about it and i dont know why.

Answer 4

I agree with you. I've seen some forms that have been updated with a Multicultural catergory for people of mixed cultures. You do what you think is best. It's up to you how you decide to identify yourself. The nation's answer to the question "Who is black?" long has been that a "black" is any person with any known African ancestry. This definition reflects the long experience with racism, white supremacy, slavery, and, later, with Jim Crow laws. When it comes down to it we are all the same beneath the skin.

Answer 5

It is great that you are asserting your right to be who you are. Most African Americans, for example have blood from other ethnicities, but interesting that I know of no African American who has ever been told if they have 1/16th of European Blood, they are considered to be European. This 1/16th business originated out of slavery and reconstruction. Like you I have a diverse collection of ancestors. Culturally, I love being Black and by personal choice, identify myself as such. I do not look at this as one choice over another. I look at it as my way of perceiving and relating to and celebrating who I am. I celebrate others and appreciate the various things shared from other cultures. However, I think everyone should have the right to acknowledge all their ancestors and their diverse heritage if they so choose. Nationality wise, I love being American and appreciate all the ethnicities, cultures, races who have contributed to the greatness of our country...doing everything from humanitarians who advocated for peace and equality, those who's inventions have improved our lives, to those who have sacrificed their lives to protect our flag. All of us have red blood.

Answer 6

I think the law says you don't have to check any of those little boxes. I never do.

I never heard of that 1/16 thing. But I'd be checking off most boxes, too, if I had to. That's what being an American mutt is all about, isn't it?

Answer 7

I always answer Human as to race. On these questionnaires they are really asking for breed as in cattle. Hereford ,Brahma , Angus etc. as far as race they are bovine . but breed is the above. I personally find it insulting when some one asks what race I am then refuses to accept human as the only possible answer for all man kind.

Answer 8

I agree with u about the checking square thing. People should accept you for you. I'm native american, german,italian,latin,african and mexican and irsh. I just say American all the time or white.

Answer 9

I agree with you I am black white cherokee indian and french on tests where u fill out your race im always told to put other.i know how you feel.

Answer 10

they ask you that stuff for affirmative action. minority groups are "surpressed" in America, so they get more help from the government.
more money for college, better deals on a mortgage, stuff like that. try it. apply for financial aid to go to college, and use two different applications. on one say you're white, on the other say you're not. see how much of a difference there is.