Educational Demographics" What Teachers Should Know

This article speaks of the shifting demographics in the United States affecting the population that concerns educators and their students. There was a topic stating that the 2000 census allows you to check as many race boxes as you wish. I had not heard of this, and it was also a topic discussed in my Teaching for Equity and Diversity class. My professor is from Brazil, and my family is from Cuba. He and I are similar in that although we are both of Latino descent, we "look" white (ie. brown hair, blue eyes, fair skin). The stereotype for Latinos is dark hair, dark eyes, dark skin, and short to name a few. We were both talking about what it is that you are suppose to check off. We are white, but Hispanic/Latino. But to me, being Hispanic or Latino are two different things. I associate Hispanics with Spain in Europe, and Latinos from Central or South America. Why is it that we should be lumped together? Because of a common language? No, because Brazil is included in the Latino category, yet they speak Portuguese. After reading this, I am pleased to know that I can now check more than one box.

It also talked about Tiger Wood's who is "Cablinasian". A combination of being Caucasian, Black, Indian, and Asian. This is the first time I ever heard this term. Also, I liked the question this article asked, "Does he count for four people?" I wonder how the Census Bureau will account for this. We are becoming more and more diverse, and many can identify themselves as "Cablinasian". In this month's issue of Marie Claire magazine (October 2007, page 62b-63b), there is an article entitled, "Embracing Identity". It is about Rebecca Walker, a female who tries to hide her black identity and then comes to understand and appreciate her heritage. At the bottom of the article, there is something called "Race Lexicon: Naming a Diverse Population". Here it also mentions the fact that the 2000 Census Bureau allows people to identify themselves as more than one race. It also includes new terms for races with their definitions. I found this article interesting, so I would recommend checking it out! Here are some of the terms taken from that article:

Amexica- The zone where the US and Mexico share a border, culture, and language.
Babalog- A young, Westernized Indian concerned with wealth, appearance, and superficialities.
Cablinasian- A mix of Caucasian, Black, Indian, and Asian.
Halfrican American- Half African-American
Hapa- The Hawaiian Term for a racially mixed Asian.