A group of young black men in hoodies walked by on CrazyLane

mypasswordwontwork wrote: [quote=alafairnadia][quote=mypasswordwontwork]You stated that most of the Cubans in Miami (though I'm unclear how you would know what most Cubans think) would choose "Cuban" rather than "black". But why would there even be a choice, I am asking, when Cuban is a nationality and black is a race?

If I was asked to choose between British and black I actually c ould not choose, because they mean two entirely different things. Legally, I guess, I am British then because I am a British citizen and was born there. Black is merely the racial category I fall into. Each definition means a different thing. I've met black Cubans and you can see they are black just by looking at them. Of course they are Cuban too.

I thought I was very deliberate and exact, but clearly not. I'll say more. the University of Miami had an application that said "Pick One". Under that were the options of "Hispanic" and "African-American", among others. My best friend, a black-Cuban woman, checked both boxes. she was told to choose. she chose "Hispanic". she was told she was disqualified for a scholarship for "African-Americans". she said she was both. etc.

further, I tutored SAT tests for folks who were having trouble. most folks in my classes were having language issues or class-based issues with the exams. I largly was teaching people to get a high enough score to qualify for a scholarship they had dibs on. one issue that came up constantly was how to respond to race/ethnicity question (it was "race/ethnicity"). after my friend's issues, I told them to answer "African-American". all of my pupils balked - they were Jamaican or Haitian. not "African-American".

my only point is that race, culture and ethnicity are not binary issues. if they are for you, fine. but you should know that they aren't for everyone, and that includes people in this country. and frankly, if you're interested in binary, then why not go for homogenaity (sp)? nuance is way more interesting.

I find some of this hard to believe. I do not believe that the only option for people of color would be African American. It also seems a stretch that somebody would not be allowed to claim black and Hispanic. I mean, jeez, there are an increasing number of biracial and multiracial people coming up, what are they supposed to check on these absurd forms? Hmm, some friends of mine are equal parts native American, black African, white and Korean. I wonder what they checked on these forms, LOL. In this crazy country they probably checked black even though they are only a quarter black.

well, you can believe me or not. I lived through it with my friend - we all stared at the forms and tried to figure out the "right" answer.

being biracial or of separately recognized races and cultures is not something that was "normal" 10 years ago in this country. thankfully, I haven't had to fill out a school application in a long time. but at that time, it was an issue. and it was confusing for our world.

escap wrote: [quote=alafairnadia] I told them to answer "African-American". all of my pupils balked - they were Jamaican or Haitian. not "African-American".

This is actually a really interesting story. We could have a great thread just on this point alone. I love anything that dilutes the simplistic black/white categories that are so entrenched in constricting in most of this country.

On another note, I think the 3 of you are all in agreement, despite your argumentative tones.

probably we are. I'll totally admit to the idea that our discussion and hashing this in rl would be way more productive and interesting and (gasp) agreeable that what's occuring above.