It's here again...census time. Every ten years the American people view with some mistrust that temporary government worker who shows up on our doorsteps, survey in hand.
Since I have become a formal student of identity, its development and manifestation, the census has loomed large in my ruminations. We may call ourselves whatever we choose on a day-to-day basis, but there's something about declaring ourselves to our government that makes it...official. For me, checking the race box is more than a statement about who I am; it's also a political statement, not as personal as it is an act I perform with the greater good in mind. Regardless of the complexity of my "racial" identity, I am officially "Black, African Am., or Negro."
I highly recommend checking out the census website: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/
Which box(es) will you check? And why?
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First time I was ever asked to filled out a form stating my race I was really perplexed. I am a british born immigrant and I put anglo saxon. when my obgyn saw it (at the hospital before I had my first child he was in stitches.)
When he asked me about it I said, "well that is what I am".. I hadn't thought it was about colour LOL!
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