Ethnicity/Race question

[Twink]

I have a question about ethnicity and race. I'm filling the mcat reg application and I'm not sure of what to answer when asked about my ethnicity. My race is asian (my parents are asians) but I was born in the Caribbean and grew up with more influence from the hispanic culture than from my asian root. What kind of ethnicity should I choose?

Not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina
or
Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina

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[Leer]

I have a question about ethnicity and race. I'm filling the mcat reg application and I'm not sure of what to answer when asked about my ethnicity. My race is asian (my parents are asians) but I was born in the Caribbean and grew up with more influence from the hispanic culture than from my asian root. What kind of ethnicity should I choose?

Not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina
or
Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina

.

 

[enTropeeeeeeeee]

I have a question about ethnicity and race. I'm filling the mcat reg application and I'm not sure of what to answer when asked about my ethnicity. My race is asian (my parents are asians) but I was born in the Caribbean and grew up with more influence from the hispanic culture than from my asian root. What kind of ethnicity should I choose?

Not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina
or
Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina

Nationality = Current country of residence.
Ethnicity = Ancestry.

 

[Musclemass]

Multiple ways to get an answer - pick one:

1. You are what you think you are, that's the answer you use.

2. How many years/generations did your family live in the Hispanic country? If your name is Chan or Patel and you put yourself down as Hispanic, you can count on that being a topic of conversation at an interview. If you can give a good answer, great. (Yes, I know there are plenty of people with last names that don't reflect their "ethnicity". Of course that's the case when what the individual views as their predominant ethnicity comes from their mother, assuming the last name comes from their father.)

3. What would your parents say? (not that your answer needs to be the same).

 

[LuciusVorenus]

I have a question about ethnicity and race. I'm filling the mcat reg application and I'm not sure of what to answer when asked about my ethnicity. My race is asian (my parents are asians) but I was born in the Caribbean and grew up with more influence from the hispanic culture than from my asian root. What kind of ethnicity should I choose?

Not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina
or
Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina

Pretty sure you're not considered Hispanic. You can write about it in your essay, and if you speak Spanish it's a definite plus, but LEGALLY you're Asian.

 

[Twink]

Nationality = Current country of residence.
Ethnicity = Ancestry.

I'm aware of the definition of nationality and that's not an issue. Your definition of ethnicity not what I have been told. Ancestry is more of your race.

Multiple ways to get an answer - pick one:

1. You are what you think you are, that's the answer you use.

2. How many years/generations did your family live in the Hispanic country? If your name is Chan or Patel and you put yourself down as Hispanic, you can count on that being a topic of conversation at an interview. If you can give a good answer, great. (Yes, I know there are plenty of people with last names that don't reflect their "ethnicity". Of course that's the case when what the individual views as their predominant ethnicity comes from their mother, assuming the last name comes from their father.)

3. What would your parents say? (not that your answer needs to be the same).

1. I would say I consider myself more hispanic just because of my exposure to a hispanic culture than my parents' asian culture when growing up. It wasn't until I moved to the US that I started to experience the again culture.

2. My parents moved lived there for 30 years and I was there until I was 15. This is why I'm not sure what to put on the application. My last name is not common but not unheard of. I don't mind having this conversation on the interview but I don't want the adcoms to think I'm lying to get some sort of advantage.

3. This one is funny. My parents have a very closed and old school mentality. They say because my blood is asian that I'm a true full fledge asian.

 

[Hah]

Because your parents are Asian, and seem like they are culturally and socially tied to Asians, it would be misleading to say that you are hispanic even though you identify more with the hispanic culture.


Think of it this way, a large majority of Asian Americans are born and raised in the US and identify more strongly with the western or any one of the Multi-cultural American lifestyles/culture than their parent's Asian culture. Would you think it would be acceptable for these people to say they're "Native American" or "Caucasian" or "African American" (if they grew up in neighborhoods predominated by these individuals") just because of where they grew up????

While I understand your desire to identify as Hispanic because you feel you are culturally more tied to it, for the reasons I listed above, leave ethnicity blank or say you're Asian. For the purposes of the AMCAS and your application ethnicity = heritage/ancestry.

 

[Twink]

Because your parents are Asian, and seem like they are culturally and socially tied to Asians, it would be misleading to say that you are hispanic even though you identify more with the hispanic culture.


Think of it this way, a large majority of Asian Americans are born and raised in the US and identify more strongly with the western or any one of the Multi-cultural American lifestyles/culture than their parent's Asian culture. Would you think it would be acceptable for these people to say they're "Native American" or "Caucasian" or "African American" (if they grew up in neighborhoods predominated by these individuals") just because of where they grew up????

While I understand your desire to identify as Hispanic because you feel you are culturally more tied to it, for the reasons I listed above, leave ethnicity blank or say you're Asian. For the purposes of the AMCAS and your application ethnicity = heritage/ancestry.

Your analogy isn't really very good since I was in a different situation. There weren't many asians, probably less than 1% of the entire population scattered around the country. But I get your point.

 

[Narmerguy]

Somehow I feel like if this situation was flipped you wouldn't have any qualms which with designation to choose.

 

[SilverBvllet]

Really? Your biological parents are Asian. You are Asian. Here is an example to help make this crystal clear:

If I am a blond white kid, but I was born to white parents in the middle of Africa in some tribe then moved the USA it would be ridiculous to say I am "black/African-American." And if you did the moment they see your picture or see you in person things will get awkward (read: rejected) real fast.

 

[LEUNIT]

Really? Your biological parents are Asian. You are Asian. Here is an example to help make this crystal clear:

If I am a blond white kid, but I was born to white parents in the middle of Africa in some tribe then moved the USA it would be ridiculous to say I am "black/African-American." And if you did the moment they see your picture or see you in person things will get awkward (read: rejected) real fast.

inb4 yeah, but this is different..

 

[SilverBvllet]

inb4 yeah, but this is different..

How is it different to the OP's situation? To me this looks exactly the same, just swap white with Asian and Black with Hispanic. Would you count an Asian kid that grew up in a 100% (except him) Hispanic neighborhood as Hispanic?

 

[RebelxSoldier]

I always wondered if a Caucasian born in Africa who now lives in America would be considered African-American or not.

 

[LEUNIT]

How is it different to the OP's situation? To me this looks exactly the same, just swap white with Asian and Black with Hispanic. Would you count an Asian kid that grew up in a 100% (except him) Hispanic neighborhood as Hispanic?

inb4 the definition of inb4

 

[Danlee07]

you're asian and you better be proud of it.

this is the same as any 2nd generation kids who now reside in a different country. you look asian and you come from an asian heritage (parents). my example for 2nd generation kids who have self-ethnicity/self-image problems: another Hitler comes along and tries to kill off Asians. Yeah, no matter how many times you scream "Hispanicccccccc," you're dead. hold on to what you got.

 

[SilverBvllet]

inb4 the definition of inb4

My mistake man. I had no clue what that meant haha thanks.

 

[LEUNIT]

My mistake man. I had no clue what that meant haha thanks.

S'all good man. I learned the definition last week. Now I use it like all the cool kids.

 

[Negrodamus]

I have a question about ethnicity and race. I'm filling the mcat reg application and I'm not sure of what to answer when asked about my ethnicity. My race is asian (my parents are asians) but I was born in the Caribbean and grew up with more influence from the hispanic culture than from my asian root. What kind of ethnicity should I choose?

Not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina
or
Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina

eth·nic

&#8194; <a href=&quot;http://dictionary.reference.com/audio.html/lunaWAV/E03/E0324200&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;><img src=&quot;http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/g/d/speaker.gif&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; alt=&quot;ethnic pronunciation&quot; /></a&gt/&#712;&#603;&#952;

n&#618;k/ Show Spelled[eth-nik] Show IPA
–adjective 1. pertaining to or characteristic of a people, especially a group (ethnic group) sharing a common and distinctive culture, religion, language, or the like.

2. referring to the origin, classification, characteristics, etc., of such groups.

3. being a member of an ethnic group, especially of a group that is a minority within a larger society: ethnic Chinese in San Francisco.

4. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of members of such a group.

5. belonging to or deriving from the cultural, racial, religious, or linguistic traditions of a people or country: ethnic dances.

Your an ethic Caribbean... technically. If still have ties to your island community (volunteer much?) you should mark what you feel. But of course it is going to turn a couple of heads.

 

[Lil Mick]

I came from a similar situation (race and country didn't fit). I usually just chose to enter the "other" or "mixed" category and then explained. If you only spoke Spanish growing up and were immersed in the culture, I would suggest marking ethnicity as Hispanic. You're Asian by race, but, in that case, you wouldn't be in your ethnic up-bringing...

 

[sustentacular]

I have a question about ethnicity and race. I'm filling the mcat reg application and I'm not sure of what to answer when asked about my ethnicity. My race is asian (my parents are asians) but I was born in the Caribbean and grew up with more influence from the hispanic culture than from my asian root. What kind of ethnicity should I choose?

Not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina
or
Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina

"Race": Asian
Ethnicity: Hispanic

Ethnicity is a cultural affiliation that does not necessarily have to coincide with your heritage, ancestry wise. If you grew up in the Caribbean I don't see why people are hating on you for identifying with Hispanic culture. (Oh wait, no, I do.) Could be an interesting thing to talk about at interviews.

 

[Hah]

Your analogy isn't really very good since I was in a different situation. There weren't many asians, probably less than 1% of the entire population scattered around the country. But I get your point.

Actually it is the perfect analogy because what you don't realize is that the MAJORITY US counties/states has less than 1% Asians (Pretty much everywhere except the coasts). The best way to go about it in your situation is to talk about it in your personal statement and perhaps just leave ethnicity blank.

Heres a map of the 2000 census : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Census_Bureau_2000,_Asians_in_the_United_States.png

Also, what makes what you're trying to do risky is that they base URM status off ethnicity. They are not looking for people who are "ethnically hispanic" as in someone who grew up in that culture but someone whose heritage/ancestors are hispanic, hence the term underrepresented minority (you can't represent hispanics on a multi cultural pamplet). Some committee members might construe you clicking hispanic as an attempt to gain some brownie points as a non -URM trying to gain URM status.

 

[cautiousvampire]

I am a white American male. However, I was raised by a pack of Sudanese Billy Goats. They are who I identify with. Do I get weird looks when I list my Ethnicity as Sudanese Billy Goat? Sure I do. But at least I am remaining true to myself.

 

[tabascosauce]

hey can twinks be tops or is that usually reserved for bears?

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Why don't you just call anonymously and ask?

 

[SOcash]

hey can twinks be tops or is that usually reserved for bears?

Is that from It's Always Sunny? But yeah...

 

[Negrodamus]

hey can twinks be tops or is that usually reserved for bears?

Neither are mutually exclusive.

 

[IlaEm]

I have a question about ethnicity and race. I'm filling the mcat reg application and I'm not sure of what to answer when asked about my ethnicity. My race is asian (my parents are asians) but I was born in the Caribbean and grew up with more influence from the hispanic culture than from my asian root. What kind of ethnicity should I choose?

Not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina
or
Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina

Race is a categorical description of a person by others. Ethnicity is how you view yourself. Others will determine your race as asian if you look asian, but ethnically, I think it is fair to put Hispanic.

You can easily compare it to a person from.....let's say Dominican Republic. Visually, most people from there appear to be black. But ethnically, they are very much Hispanic. From a health standpoint (and we discussed this in some of the public health courses I have taken) this person would be treated medically by a doctor as a black person, but have the health outcomes of a Hispanic person.

Really? Your biological parents are Asian. You are Asian. Here is an example to help make this crystal clear:

If I am a blond white kid, but I was born to white parents in the middle of Africa in some tribe then moved the USA it would be ridiculous to say I am "black/African-American." And if you did the moment they see your picture or see you in person things will get awkward (read: rejected) real fast.

I don't think that is ridiculous at all. My ancestors are very decently Russian but I have no ties to that country. Anyone born and raised in another country would identify more with the people of that country.

Also, what about white South Africans? I have plenty of South African friends (both white and black) and if any of them moved to the U.S. they would be "African-americans". That is why this term is bull-**** because all of my black (USA born) friends have no ties to Africa.

 

[SilverBvllet]

I don't think that is ridiculous at all. My ancestors are very decently Russian but I have no ties to that country. Anyone born and raised in another country would identify more with the people of that country.

Also, what about white South Africans? I have plenty of South African friends (both white and black) and if any of them moved to the U.S. they would be "African-americans". That is why this term is bull-**** because all of my black (USA born) friends have no ties to Africa.

What? No this is completely wrong. White South Africans are not even indigenous to South Africa. They have European ancestry so they are European/Caucasian not black or African. Just like how British people in India are no more Indian than those in the UK.

Your black friends and my black friends are both black and African-American because yes, they are descendants of African slaves brought to North America during the slave trade, unless you are suggesting there were black people in North America before that.

This reminds me of when people were arguing about Obama being black or not because he is half black. His response: if anyone saw him on the street they wouldn't say "oh look at that half black/half white guy." No they'd say he was a black guy.

 

[texahn]

its shocking that this would make a difference

 

[Hah]

Race is a categorical description of a person by others. Ethnicity is how you view yourself. Others will determine your race as asian if you look asian, but ethnically, I think it is fair to put Hispanic.

You can easily compare it to a person from.....let's say Dominican Republic. Visually, most people from there appear to be black. But ethnically, they are very much Hispanic. From a health standpoint (and we discussed this in some of the public health courses I have taken) this person would be treated medically by a doctor as a black person, but have the health outcomes of a Hispanic person.

You are missing the point. If he were to put down that hes hispanic he would be considered a URM. How do you think the ADCOMS would construe someone who is Asian, who is statistically at a slight disadvantage, putting down that they are Hispanic when there is a known advantage given to those who are RACIALLY Hispanic? It could be easily misconstrued as a way of trying to gain an advantage through deceit.

On the AMCAS Ethnicty = Race there is no other way of looking at it.

 

[SilverBvllet]

This argument doesn't really apply to Hispanics, though. There is no such thing as a Hispanic race. It definitely doesn't mean someone of mixed Spanish ancestory, since people from Spain are considered white as often as Hispanic and plenty of South Americans are Hispanic despite have no Spanish ancestory at all (including pure blooded south American natives). It doesn't mean someone of partial South American Indian ancestory either: the Dominicans on Hispanola are a mix of European and African colonists (the natives were completely killed by the initial Spanish occupation under Columbus) and they're considered Hispanic even though all their ancestors are from the Eastern hemisphere. Even the Dominicans of pureblooded African ancestory are considered Hispanic rather than just black. Hispanic doesn't even mean that you're not white: There are plenty of Chileans of pure blooded German ancestory who are considered Hispanic on any application they choose to fill out. A lot of race checkboxes now don't even have a single option for hispanic, they make you select 'white hispanic' or 'black hispanic'. The closest equivalent to Hispanic is probably "Arabic", a group of diverse races bound together by a common language.

Of course, we could just get rid of the F-ing racial checkboxes and side step the entire *****ic argument.

Yes I agree the race checkboxes are pretty pointless and should be gotten rid of.

The most accurate thing for the OP would be to put Asian as race and Hispanic as ethnicity since he grew up in that culture.

 

[UpQuark]

I'm Asian, born and raised in Africa, now living in the US making me an Asian African American, does that qualify me for uber URM status?

 

[SilverBvllet]

I'm Asian, born and raised in Africa, now living in the US making me an Asian African American, does that qualify me for uber URM status?

No. Your Asian ORM and African URM cancel out and now you are a white kid.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

I have a question about ethnicity and race. I'm filling the mcat reg application and I'm not sure of what to answer when asked about my ethnicity. My race is asian (my parents are asians) but I was born in the Caribbean and grew up with more influence from the hispanic culture than from my asian root. What kind of ethnicity should I choose?

Not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina
or
Spanish/Hispanic/Latino/Latina

i had a very similar issue to you, and in the end i declined to identify all fields because i decided there were too many political issues surrounding these definitions. moreover, race and ethnicity, imo, are more-or-less artificial constructs free of merit

Nationality = Current country of residence.
Ethnicity = Ancestry.

a swing and a miss.

 

[IlaEm]

You are missing the point. If he were to put down that hes hispanic he would be considered a URM. How do you think the ADCOMS would construe someone who is Asian, who is statistically at a slight disadvantage, putting down that they are Hispanic when there is a known advantage given to those who are RACIALLY Hispanic? It could be easily misconstrued as a way of trying to gain an advantage through deceit.

On the AMCAS Ethnicty = Race there is no other way of looking at it.

I think this comes down to why certain races/ethnicities are considered URM. If it's based purely in genetics (which I don't think it is) and ancestral origin then you are right. Putting hispanic instead of asian would be wrong. However, I believe certain races/ethnicities have been categorized as URM because of socioeconomic status, how education is valued in the culture, etc.

I don't know this OP, but it sounds like culturally and ethnicity wise, the OP associates more with Hispanic. Meaning the OP's peers in school, community, etc.... influenced him/her the same way they influence a hispanic person. Genetically, the person is asian. So how is URM defined? Based on genetics or circumstances in the persons life due to the community in which they live?

 

[Geneticist]

You're Asian. Sorry.

 

[Hah]

I think this comes down to why certain races/ethnicities are considered URM. If it's based purely in genetics (which I don't think it is) and ancestral origin then you are right. Putting hispanic instead of asian would be wrong. However, I believe certain races/ethnicities have been categorized as URM because of socioeconomic status, how education is valued in the culture, etc.

I don't know this OP, but it sounds like culturally and ethnicity wise, the OP associates more with Hispanic. Meaning the OP's peers in school, community, etc.... influenced him/her the same way they influence a hispanic person. Genetically, the person is asian. So how is URM defined? Based on genetics or circumstances in the persons life due to the community in which they live?

URM stands for Under Represented Minority. To me, it is NOT about socioeconomic status (That's why there is a disadvantage applicant section) nor value of education in a culture, it's about you and your family's heritage and ancestry. I feel AMCAS is very clear what URM is and it is exactly what it sounds like. The point of URM is to add a splash of color (figuratively speaking) to a canvas devoid of it. Like I said before, if you can't represent Hispanics on a pamplet you can't say you are one on the application.

That being said the OP is unique in that he has experienced a culture different than his heritage and that should play to his advantage, if he does it the right way ( Talking about it in his personal statement, talking about it during an interview, doing extracirricular activities that showcase his interest and identification with the hispanic culture etc.) . However, I fear if he lists himself as a Hispanic individual on the application outright it would definitely be misleading.

 

[LizzyM]

Hispanic individuals may be of any race. That's why it is a separate question (separate from race).