What is “Black”?
Interesting note, just came across this definition in the 2000 US Census. I added the bold to highlight some interesting points.
Black or African American. A person having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa. It includes people who indicate their race as “Black, African Am., or Negro,” or provide written entries such as African American, Afro American, Kenyan, Nigerian, or Haitian.
Two points:
- To be considered “Black” you just have to indicate your race as one of those listed. You don’t actually have to have black skin at all.
- Of all countries they decided to list Haiti. They didn’t list Dominican Republic, Brazil, etc… There are other countries in Central America with “Black” people, but they chose to list only Haiti and even neglect the other 2/3 of the Island of Hispaniola.
My conclusion: I’m black. I’m going to start filling out all forms indicating my black-ness.
I’m Haitian and proud of it!
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