Question 9

This March I will be receiving a short survey. I will be asked ten simple questions about myself. Questions which are supposed to let other Americans know who lives in America.

I look forward to participating in US Census 2010. I've never done it before. Ten years ago I was so insignificant that I never received my questionnaire or a personal visit to my home.

But the question causing the most controversy this year is "Question 9". The question which asks us to identify ourselves racially. Well, just by looking at me, one could say I was black. When I read casting calls I look for the letters "AA", for African American. Ask my great grandmother and she might just call me negro. I happen to answer to all of the above. When writing I often refer to myself as "The Negative Negro". The word negro doesn't bother me. Should it? Once upon a time it was the commonly used word to identify those born of African decent and currently living in America. Then someone got offended and we started calling ourselves colored. Then someone else wanted to be radical and we chose the specific color black. Then some one wanted to be politically correct and we have settle on the term African American. For now. I feel African American is the most presumptuous, being that I cannot trace my lineage any further than South Carolina.

One day, while surfing the web, I happened upon "The Racial Slur Database". It's pretty funny. It reminds one of why they should be offended by the names, letters and number which may identify them racially. According to this database, anything other than your first name should mean a complaint to human resources. They say "AA" could also be a reference to "double A batteries, which you use for a while then throw away". I guess. If you say so. But I'm still not offended. "Akata-West African (Yoruba) term for African-Americans. Meaning ancestors of slaves or cotton picker". I'm also not offended by this. My ancestors did pick cotton.

The attempt, in including the term "Negro" as an option for identifying oneself racially, was an attempt at inclusion. Some Negros don't consider themselves to be black. Some African Americans will never answer to negro. If you don't like any of the options, choose Hispanic. They are asking you to identify yourself. What do you think you are?

I know a girl who is half Filipino and half black. When she was in elementary school and she was asked her race she identified herself as Filipino. Her teacher called her a liar and she had to have her Filipino mother visit the school to right the wrong. But if the kid identified herself, what gives her teacher the right to question that? Answer as you see fit. The government is not trying to offend you. They will accept the answer you give.