SAT Ethnicity Question

[sc94597]

The United States is screwed up in regards of Ethnicity. First they miss-match races with Ethnic or Linguistic groups as if they were one and the same. Hispanic isn't a race, while "White" and "Black" describe a specific race(even if they aren't accurate. In order to be Hispanic, you have to have an attachment to Hispanic culture or the Language. Hispanic is a term that pretty much is in the same context as Germanic, or Francophone. You don't have to be of the original racial group(In this case White European Spaniards) to be part of the Ethnic group. I know this because I myself have Spanish ancestry, and I know that my parents are definitely not of different races(maybe sub-race, but that goes deep toward anthropological points). Because I do not have any connection to Hispanic culture nor Spanish as a language I don't consider myself "Hispanic" or "Latino". I am a full European decent racially, and an American ethnically. So that is why I either don't choose anything, or choose White(which specifies European a descendant.) Like Kasz said though, pass the obvious mix maxing of Racial and Ethnic classifications, there is that of Social and Economic ones.

There seems to be a divide that if you aren't WASP(White Anglo Saxon Protestant), you are at a disadvantage. Which is definitely not the case. Most people in the United States start out(or have had ancestors that started out) with just as much as these recent immigrants. There is no reason to band a whole group together as economically the same due to ancestry. You should have funds for those in poor situations, and those of whom are not. I debated the same thing as you. I thought, technically it is legal for me to register as Hispanic, and it would be an advantage, but I knew I had very little correlation with that group. What I like though, is the surveys that ask you about your racial situation, and then your ethnic situation. That means you can be as correct as possible without feeling bad about anything. So basically, the United States is overall confused about the situation, and really don't take it to heart. If you feel that you need the funding put down hispanic, other wise put down what every race or mix of races you are(Hispanics are mainly composed of either European, African, or Native Amerindian ancestry, but mostly a mix.) or just don't put anything at all. Remember, you are not required to put anything.