Race/Ethnicity Selection Question

[jayteeteejay]

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I am 3/4ths Indian and 1/4th Nigerian (grandmother on my paternal side). I have a very common American name (i.e John Smith) and I look racially ambiguous to most people who see me. I am debating whether I should just check Indian option or just skip listing my race at all. Any thoughts on what the implications of going one way versus the other? Thanks! (For the record I typically do skip listing my race whenever I can when it comes to filling out applications and I always tell people I am mixed-race if asked).

 

[Espressso]

I have similar thoughts myself and don't think I have any solid answer for you. So I'll patiently wait for responses.

Side note: Go Manchester City!

 

[jayteeteejay]

I have similar thoughts myself and don't think I have any solid answer for you. So I'll patiently wait for responses.

Side note: Go Manchester City!

Yea this has always been a hard question for me hopefully we'll get some solid advise

 

[haaaaaaaaaaveyoumetted]

Would you be comfortable checking the Indian and African-American options?

 

[jayteeteejay]

Would you be comfortable checking the Indian and African-American options?

I honestly don't feel like I identify too much with either race thats why I was considering skipping however I do know a little bit of an Indian language but thats about where my identification ends. Im only worried that skipping present me as dishonest or would eliminate me from the running for any sort of diversity based scholarships

 

[WhittyPsyche]

I honestly don't feel like I identify too much with either race thats why I was considering skipping however I do know a little bit of an Indian language but thats about where my identification ends. Im only worried that skipping present me as dishonest or would eliminate me from the running for any sort of diversity based scholarships

I think you should put both. I mean it is accurate to do so. It doesn't sound like there is a personal identification to either, so then stick with a literal racial identification. Can't really go wrong that way.


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[haaaaaaaaaaveyoumetted]

I honestly don't feel like I identify too much with either race thats why I was considering skipping however I do know a little bit of an Indian language but thats about where my identification ends. Im only worried that skipping present me as dishonest or would eliminate me from the running for any sort of diversity based scholarships

I would agree with putting both... You're not obligated to identify with the culture of your racial background in order to answer the question accurately. I don't think it would be dishonest, but it's really the only opportunity to identify yourself as racially diverse, so if you're looking for those scholarships you should definitely include it

 

[jayteeteejay]

I think you guys have good points that what ill end up putting

 

[DokterMom]

Assuming you mean South Asian Indian and not Native American Indian, then yes, skip it or check multiple if that's an option. Being Indian puts you in an over-represented situation, so at a relative disadvantage. And African American would be dishonest since you don't identify with that race. So leaving it blank is probably both the most advantageous and the most honest.