What Race Am I? I Am "American"

March 22, 2020 3:04am

I was included in the censuses my father completed in 1970 & 1980. I have completed the census myself four times: 1990, 2000, 2010, and as of just a few minutes ago, 2020.

In all four censuses I completed, I have checked "other" under the question about my race. And then I've written in my actual race: "American." That's not "Native American," although I was born in the United States. It's just "American."

My racial lineage includes Caucasian, Hispanic, Black, and a sprinkling of Jewish and Middle Eastern. So what does that make me? I suppose it makes me a mutt. But "mutt" wasn't offered as a choice on the census form, so I put down the amalgamation that I am. I am an American. I am descended from a mishmash of people around the planet who made it to these shores to help build the greatest country the world has ever known. And I am blessed to be here.

It doesn't matter where someone is from. It matters where someone is going. It doesn't matter who your parents were. It matters who you are.

I can think of no human characteristic that is of less importance than race. So why do we bother to ask about it?