Re: CHAT: American Racism [was: Star Wars]

Brian Betty wrote:
>
>Would that be 'ethnic dirtying'? *irony*Here in the US, I always
>have to fill out forms and mark my race as Caucasian, African-
>American-not-Latino, Latino, Native American, or Asian-Pacific
>Islander. I fall into three of those categories. And there is no
>'other' or 'mixed' box.
If I were to categorize myself in this way, I guess I'd fall into
two categories.

The categorization is hopelessly inadequate. Its also hopelessly
old-fashioned. The concept of race has largely been dismissed by
anthropologists. There are people in Central Asia for instance that
would neither fall in the category of Caucasian or Asian, 'racially'
speaking. The same is true in the Indian subcontinent. What about
subcontinental immigrants to the US who are Dravidians? What
American category would they fall into? What about Filipino negrito
immigrants? What about an immigrant who happens to be an Australian
aborigine?

I hear that Brazil does way better in 'racial' categorization.
Something like 20 choices which includes mestizos of different
kinds, mulattos of different kinds, etc. etc. The different mixes
are all accounted for. If the US intends on remaining old fashioned,
perhaps they should follow the Brazilian method.

-kristian- 8-)