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26 Reasons Why Arab Americans Deserve Their Own Box On The US Census #CountMENA

posted on: Jan 30, 2015

People of Middle East/North African ancestry are currently categorized in the US Census, along with most government and public records, as “white”…here’s why it’s time we have our own MENA (Middle East & North Africa) box. #CountMENAhttp://www.nnaac.org/census

 

This is it. The comment period to voice your support for a Middle East and North Africa (MENA) checkbox on the Census ends Monday. Please take a moment right now to do these three things:

  1. Use this link to submit your comment right now.
  2. Forward this email to at least 10 friends and ask them to do the same.
  3. Post this campaign to your twitter and Facebook: “Time is running out to tell the Census Bureau that you support the #MENA Checkbox. Voice your support now! http://goo.gl/c3PNZT

As you know all too well, there is currently no category that encompasses Arab Americans on the U.S. Census, which has led to a significant undercount of our community. The creation of a coherent ethnic category for the MENA region will have a positive impact on the treatment and services available to members of our community. The undercounting of Arab Americans has served as a barrier to representation, education, health, and employment. New and expanded data provided by the inclusion of a MENA checkbox on the 2020 Census is an important move to improve this drastic undercount.

Please join our campaign to support the MENA category’s inclusion on the 2020 Census by commenting on the Federal Registrar notice now. The open comment period ends on February 1: Take Action Now.

1. We sure as hell don’t get treated as white.

2. Law enforcement doesn’t think we’re white.

3. Airport security doesn’t think we’re white.

4. White people don’t think we’re white.

5. Again, white people VERY passionately do not think we are white…

6. When Rima Fakih won Miss USA, no one thought she was white…or American.

Debbie Schlussel / Via debbieschlussel.com

7. OK, Exodus thinks we’re white…but that’s another story.

8. We can actually dance.

9. Can white people do this?

10. How about this?

 

See full list at: www.buzzfeed.com