Under current classifications, race and Hispanic origin are separate categories on census forms and surveys. The need to change the current standards can be seen in 2020 census results in which the “some other race” category surpassed African Americans as the nation’s second-largest racial group. The “some other race” category was made up overwhelmingly of Latinos, said Arturo Vargas, executive director of NALEO Educational Fund. The Census Bureau recommended adding a MENA category to the 2020 census form, but the idea was dropped by the Trump administration. Grouping Asians together in a single race category masks wide variations among different Asian groups, according to advocates.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 16, 2022 13:39 UTC