What's happened
The US government is updating race and ethnicity categories for the first time in 27 years, aiming to more accurately count residents who identify as Hispanic and of Middle Eastern and North African heritage. This change reflects the evolving social attitudes and diversity in the US, allowing respondents to select multiple categories and self-identify more accurately.
Why it matters
The update to race and ethnicity categories by the US government is significant as it will provide a more accurate representation of the population, impacting federal funding distribution, congressional districting, and enforcement of anti-discrimination laws. This change will address the undercount of communities with Middle Eastern and North African heritage, enabling better research on health and social trends.
What the papers say
The US government's update to race and ethnicity categories has been praised by advocates for Arab Americans, who have long highlighted the inaccurate counting of diverse communities. The change is seen as transformative and will have tangible impacts on people's lives. Critics have pointed out that the previous approach to asking about race and ethnicity was confusing and misrepresentative, emphasizing the importance of more accurate data collection.
How we got here
The US government's decision to update race and ethnicity categories comes after years of advocacy by groups like the Arab American Institute, highlighting the invisibility of communities from the Middle East and North Africa in census data. The previous categorization had led to an undercount of these populations, affecting federal funding allocation and research efforts. The new categories aim to provide a more inclusive and accurate representation of the US population.
Common question
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What updates has the US government made to race and ethnicity categorization in data collection efforts?
The US government has recently implemented changes to how it categorizes individuals by race and ethnicity, aiming to provide a more accurate representation of the nation's diverse population. These updates are significant in reflecting a more inclusive approach to data collection, potentially leading to better representation of minority groups and more equitable distribution of federal funds.
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Why is the US government updating race and ethnicity categories after 27 years?
The US government's decision to update race and ethnicity categories after 27 years has significant implications for accurately representing the diverse population. This change reflects the evolving social attitudes and aims to address the undercount of communities with Middle Eastern and North African heritage. Let's delve into the reasons behind this long-awaited update.
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