Census-Let them know you are Basque!
Posted on March 17th, 2010 by jguerricabeitia
One final clarification for which a few have asked (see below for initial posting)
1) The census is confusing and even in a country of immigrants where mixed heritage and race is the norm the census attempts to bucket people into groups. This is why I sent my e-mail in the first place…to help navigate the “bucketing”
2a) If you are “lucky” like me your answer to the question # 8 of the census is only one (1) convoluted answer:
Question 8. Is Person 1 (2, 3, 4…) of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin? Answer: Yes, another Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin.
Fill in the blank with: Basque
Question 9. What is Person 1 (2, 3, 4…)’s race?
Answer: White
2b) If like so many of us you happen to be the product of more than one heritage (this is America, right? I’d say this is pretty much the norm) then your answer becomes more convoluted than 2a.
Question 8. Is Person 1 (2, 3, 4…) of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin? Answer: Yes, another Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin.
Fill in the blank with : ____% Basque & ____%Heritage 2, etc…
Question 9. What is Person 1 (2, 3, 4…)’s race?
Answer: Depending on your ethic background this could again be White or any of the other choices. If you are of mixed race check Some other race and fill in the blanks accordingly.
3) If you aren’t Basque at all the same rules apply. Take credit for your rich cultural heritage. We’re all American, but we all came from somewhere else and the census and everyone who uses this data for the next 10 years will be working off the answers to the questions we make today.
A happy St Patty’s Day to all from a Basque who recognizes on St. Patty’s we’re all a lil’ bit Irish 
Ondo pasa,
Joe G
Kaixo danori (Hello everyone),
Remember your heritage as you sit down to fill out your 2010 US Census. As in census’ past this year’s census asks both about 1) Ethnicity and 2) Race. As has been the case in the past the US government convolutes “Spaniards” with “Hispanics” even though any History, Chicano Studies, or Spanish student (like myself) would tell you this is technically incorrect. That being the case the ethnicity question specifically asks if one considers themself Hispanic but then allows for a selection of “Hispanic, other” which is a broad category that includes “Spaniards” and allows for a fill-in-the-blank where “Basque” can be written. Even for our brothers and sisters from across the border in France this seems like the best way to articulate being Basque (certainly not a perfect system). In fact this seems to be the only way. Race then refers to ones “social and cultural characteristics” which by the US census definition describes Basque ancestry as “White” (see below).
It is important to fill out the Census accurately and completely because it is the database of information for demographics of age, sex, ethnicity, race etc that is drawn from every time in the next 10 years that any US federal, state or local agency requires such data as well as many non-governmental agencies. As one Professor put it, “…an accurate count of the U.S. population forms the basis for many important but often overlooked political, economic, and social decisions that are made that end up affecting our daily lives.” – C.N. Le, Professor at University of Massachusetts, Amherst-from http://2010.census.gov/2010census/why/index.php Accessed 03/18/10
Take credit for all of your ancestry, not just your Basque ancestry. The US melting pot is what makes this country unique.
For more information on the 2010 Census check out:
The US Census Bureau
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/interactive-form.php
and for more information on definitions and the Census in general check out the Wiki page at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_United_States_Census
- “White. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. It includes people who indicate their race as “White” or report entries such as Irish, German, Italian, Lebanese, Near Easterner, Arab, or Polish.”[9]
Joe
–
Joe M. Guerricabeitia
VP of Seattle Euskal Etxea
(Seattle Basque Club)
www.seattleeuskal.org