Question

Is the transition of Jews and Irish from the non-White to White category surprising to you? Brodkin also discusses the transformations of Mexicans to White then back again. Were you aware of these changes? In addition to those listed in this chapter, what other changes in race occurred within the U.S. Census categorizations?

Answer 1

Answer:

Additional changes in race within the US Census Categorization include American Indians, Aleut and Eskimo, Asian Indians, Part Hawaiian/Samoan/Guamanian and the Mexicans.

Explanation:

1. American Indians were not identified as such until 1860, when the racial category of “Indian” was added. Beginning in 1890, the census included a complete count of American Indians on tribal land and reservations.

2. In 1960, categories for Aleut and Eskimo were added in Alaska only. Since 2000, the category has grouped both of these together as “American Indian or Alaska Native,” and the census form provides a blank space to specify a tribe.

3. Asian Indians were called “Hindus” on the census form from 1920 to 1940, regardless of religion. Beginning in 2000, people could select from among six different Asian groups in addition to “Other Asian,” with the option to write in a specific group.  

4. The categories of Hawaiian, Part Hawaiian, Samoan and Guamanian were added and counted with the totals for the Asian population. Beginning in 2000, based on research conducted by the Census Bureau and new Office of Management and Budget guidelines, Native Hawaiian, Samoan and Guamanian became part of a new category: Pacific Islander.  

5. Mexicans were counted as their own race in 1930 for the first and only time. Hispanic groups of any kind were not offered as options again until 40 years later, when the census form began asking about Hispanic origin as a separate question from race.