Given that by this point most people in America descended from African slaves have some non-African ancestors’ blood coursing through their veins, all of them could check both white and black boxes or either, depending on preference. So what is the point of Obama releasing his choice? Stir up a racial debate? ‘Settle’ the question asked in the image above? Media distraction?
An individual’s responses to census questions are confidential, but one of President Obama’s answers on the 10-question form adds more fodder to the ongoing conversation about how America sees itself.
After media inquiries, the White House confirmed that Obama checked only the racial box that says: “Black, African Am., or Negro,” the Associated Press reported.
Obama could have checked more than one racial box, given that his father was an African from Kenya and his mother was a white woman from Kansas. He could have checked “white” as well, or even “some other race” and written in “multiracial.”
Obama’s internal struggle over his racial identity was a theme in his memoir, “Dreams from My Father.” But it is a struggle faced by other Americans, and it is an element in the country’s efforts to come to terms with race relations.
The news quickly made the rounds among not only political commentators but citizens with mixed racial ancestry. Some second-guessed Obama’s choice while others said there are no right or wrong answers to that question.
#20
good morning cap’n
I see some of the media coverage of this sort of thing as a observance of the United States having moved far enough past racism as to be able to elect a non-white President. Lets hope years from now after we have elected a few more non-white and/or non-male presidents this sort of thing will no longer be news.
I already filled out my census form. A lot of Americans are of mixed descent, AKA “race.” Big deal. I selected “White,” because there was no place to choose (for instance) “Indy 500″ “Formula 1″ or “NASCAR.”
I would suggest that the race question be dropped from the next census questionnaire, as it’s not really important anymore.
We’re all out of Africa anyway.
Ho hum. Next story.
Seeing how there is only one race and that skin colour is an adaptation, I feel the box Other with penciling in Homo Sapien would be correct.
But then people in the US are so poorly educated in biology and firmly indoctrinated in ideas of the 19th century.
Cursor_
I thought O’bama was Irish!
just write in American and get past the race BS. The only reason it’s on the census is so they can continue to bias govt help and furthuring differences between races instead of treating everyone EQUALLY
I left off what race I am and what my phone number is. I also didn’t answer whether or not I am Hispanic, a question that could have been combined with the race question. The only reason to have race as a question is for gerrymandering unless the representatives are apportioned differently based on race. If pressed, though, I will say I am an Eden-American since my ancestors came from the Garden of Eden.
My Census form said that they cannot use your answers against you in court. They can’t impose fines on you without taking you to court.
#1 said, “While it is the last thing that your government wants to do, the U.S. Census Bureau can impose fines for failing to answer the 2010 Census questions or for intentionally providing false information.”
>> So what is the point of Obama releasing his choice? Stir up a racial debate? ‘Settle’ the question asked in the image above? Media distraction?
Yeah, right, Uncle Dave. It is _Obama_ who “stirring up” racism in America!
If Obama had _not_ released his answers you know darn-well the “birthers” and other racists would contrive some conspiracy theory about it.
Heck, they will, anyway…. just like you running this non-story full of the most negative spin possible on a perfectly innocuous act by Obama.
>> # 10 Allan said, on April 4th, 2010 at 10:32 am
>> I’m sorry, but race does matter – it mattered to OJ Simspon, Natalee Holloway, and the people of New Orleans. Democrats aren’t the ones that say “race doesn’t matter”
Of course race matters.
Race also matters when WHITE people hail a taxi, apply for a job, browse in a swanky store, apply for a job, send their kids to school or get busted with a small amount of drugs.
Conservatives whites are pushing this insane claim that the tables have completely turned and now WHITES are the oppressed minority.
What cynical stupidity.
Strangely, many Blacks in this country today subscribe to the “one-drop” rule even though this was a vehicle to discriminate against the decedents of Blacks by Southern Democrats.
Why have a photo-op of filling out the census form? Why is Obama reopening questions of his birth? This is more complicated than the public story, so better for him to stay as far away from it as he can. From a poem Obama wrote in college titled ‘Pop’
Pop takes another shot, neat,
Points out the same amber
Stain on his shorts that I’ve got on mine and
Makes me smell his smell, coming
From me
mike here is lucky that even foolish people like him have free speech rights or he would need to go out and get a life instead of posting silly ness
Why have a photo-op of filling out the census form?
Tradition Presidents have done this for decades
Why is Obama reopening questions of his birth?
what questions?
These have already been answered, only nutty birthers refuse to believe the facts, paradoxically for you the conservative bias Supreme Court dismissed this one–move along nothing to see here.
Obama just said he was black for the welfare.