New Ethnic and Racial Designations on the American Census and Its Cultural Implications: An Open Dialogue on Meaning, Culture and Race in the 21st Century

Workshop Presentation
Mildred Barlow-Espree  

For centuries, human societies designated cultural affiliation by nationality, and then, within the past 400 years, the European understanding of loyalty and identity changed to designate physical differences as the determining factor on issues of racial categorization. However misguided it was, the practice escalated to exclusionary practices and a caste system in the West was born, partially because of the slave trade, biblical propaganda, and precedent with Jews and other people of color in the Middle East. In America, Native Americans were the subject of such hatred, so much so that attempted genocide nearly succeeded, and today they are the lowest performing in schools, still indifferent to American culture, and remain traumatized and wounded. In the 20th century, evidence of historical oppression became a determining factor for deciding affiliation and loyalty, but has backfired in many instances. This workshop will be a guided discussion and forum on these American issues, which includes changes in the upcoming census and the implications for multiracial people in America and around the world. Multiracial membership is diverse and nuanced, by choice. Where black or minority status is a factor, it is important to note that being or identifying as Multiracial is neither an exclusion of black or white ancestry/affiliation, nor a requirement for membership. This discussion is aimed at exploring how we honor the existential truths of other individuals in consciousness, language, dialogue.