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Concepts and Measures of Concepts and Measures of Race and Ethnicity: Race and Ethnicity:

Glimpses from the UW-BHSGlimpses from the UW-BHS

Charles Hirschman & Anthony Daniel Charles Hirschman & Anthony Daniel PerezPerez

CSDE SeminarCSDE SeminarOctober 19, 2007October 19, 2007

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Simple Conceptual ModelSimple Conceptual Model

ANCESTRY IDENTITYIDENTITY

Assumed Cause

Inference

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ANCESTRY

PhysicalAppearance

IDENTITY

ReflectedAppearance

Group History

Historical Model of the Evolution of Historical Model of the Evolution of Ethnic IdentitiesEthnic Identities

Culture&

Language

Community Attachment &Participation

FamilySocialization

CollectiveMemory

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Challenges of Measuring Race/EthnicityChallenges of Measuring Race/Ethnicity Number & meaning of categories changeNumber & meaning of categories change

• Nations = races in 19Nations = races in 19th th c (Irish, Chinese etc)c (Irish, Chinese etc)• Social groups w/shared ancestry in 20Social groups w/shared ancestry in 20thth c c• May change again in 21May change again in 21stst

““Identity” largely subjective Identity” largely subjective • People with shared ancestry and phenotype People with shared ancestry and phenotype

can respond differentlycan respond differently• May not see themselves as others see themMay not see themselves as others see them

Mode of data collection, write-in Mode of data collection, write-in categories, examples affect reportingcategories, examples affect reporting

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Statistical Directive No. 15 (1977): “Race and Ethnic Standards for Federal

Statistics and Administrative Reporting”

“these classifications should not be interpreted as being scientific or anthropological in nature, nor should they be viewed as determinants of eligibility for participation in any Federal program.”

“persons with mixed ancestry or origins should be classified in “the category, which most closely reflects the individual’s recognition in his community.”

Race:• White • Black• American Indian or

Alaska Native• Asian/Pacific Islander

Ethnicity:• Hispanic• Non-Hispanic

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1997 Revision of OMB 15 1997 Revision of OMB 15 Political Pressures for RecognitionPolitical Pressures for Recognition

• Peoples from the Middle EastPeoples from the Middle East• NHOPI (Native Hawaiian and Pacific NHOPI (Native Hawaiian and Pacific

Islander)Islander)• Multiracial identities: Multiracial identities:

select one or more racesselect one or more races

Hispanic/Latino/Spanish OriginHispanic/Latino/Spanish Origin• Still separate questionStill separate question

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Racial Composition of the Total and Racial Composition of the Total and Hispanic PopulationsHispanic Populations

Percent by Race PercentTotal Pop Hispanic Hispanic

Single Race 97.4% 93.6% 12.0% White 75.1% 47.8% 8.0% Black 12.2% 1.8% 1.9% AIAN 0.9% 1.0% 14.7% Asian 3.6% 0.3% 1.0% NHOPI 0.1% 0.1% 8.8% Some Other Race (SOR) 5.5% 42.6% 97.1%

Mulitple Race 2.6% 6.4% 31.1%Total 100.0% 100.0% 12.5%

Source: 1% public use microdata sample of the 2000 Census (IPUMS)

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Racial Composition of the Total and Racial Composition of the Total and Hispanic PopulationsHispanic Populations

Percent by Race PercentTotal Pop Hispanic Hispanic

Single Race 97.4% 93.6% 12.0% White 75.1% 47.8% 8.0% Black 12.2% 1.8% 1.9% AIAN 0.9% 1.0% 14.7% Asian 3.6% 0.3% 1.0% NHOPI 0.1% 0.1% 8.8% Some Other Race (SOR) 5.5% 42.6% 97.1%

Mulitple Race 2.6% 6.4% 31.1%Total 100.0% 100.0% 12.5%

Source: 1% public use microdata sample of the 2000 Census (IPUMS)

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Current and Planned Measures in Current and Planned Measures in the UW-BHSthe UW-BHS

Standard Census itemsStandard Census items• RaceRace• Hispanic OriginHispanic Origin• Open ended Ancestry questionOpen ended Ancestry question

Additional itemsAdditional items• Best Race/Ethnic IdentityBest Race/Ethnic Identity• Reflected Race/EthnicityReflected Race/Ethnicity• Parental Birthplace and AncestryParental Birthplace and Ancestry• Administrative Race/Ethnicity Administrative Race/Ethnicity

Observed race (and other attributes) Observed race (and other attributes) forthcoming forthcoming

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Census AncestryCensus Ancestry

Best Race/Ethnic IdentityBest Race/Ethnic Identity

Reflected Race/EthnicityReflected Race/Ethnicity

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Responses to the Responses to the Census Race Question Census Race Question

BHS High School Seniors:BHS High School Seniors:

2000-20052000-2005

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1515

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Examples of Write In ResponsesExamples of Write In Responses

Possible to RecodePossible to Recode• Irish, ItalianIrish, Italian• Nigerian, JamaicanNigerian, Jamaican

Identities Beyond Standard CategoriesIdentities Beyond Standard Categories• Azorean, Trinidadian, CreoleAzorean, Trinidadian, Creole• Aztec/MayanAztec/Mayan• JewishJewish• Mexican/other Hispanic write-ins to the “Race” questionMexican/other Hispanic write-ins to the “Race” question

Non-Response, but Important DataNon-Response, but Important Data• AMERICAN, AMERICAN, FROM MARS, HEINZ 57, HUMAN RACEFROM MARS, HEINZ 57, HUMAN RACE• THE 2 MILE IS MY RACETHE 2 MILE IS MY RACE• STOP ATTACHING RACE TO HOW A PERSON THINKS, SICKOSSTOP ATTACHING RACE TO HOW A PERSON THINKS, SICKOS

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Distribution of Mentioned Distribution of Mentioned Races Races

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1919

What Races are Most Likely to What Races are Most Likely to be Mentioned in Combination be Mentioned in Combination

with Other Races?with Other Races?

2020

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2222

2323

2424

ConclusionsConclusions Race/ethnicity is a multidimensional Race/ethnicity is a multidimensional

characteristiccharacteristic• similar to ethnicitysimilar to ethnicity• Contingent on many factorsContingent on many factors

Objectives are to measure:Objectives are to measure:• Linkages among identitiesLinkages among identities• How identities are socially determinedHow identities are socially determined• How identities shape other dimensions How identities shape other dimensions

of young adulthood of young adulthood