Sociology Professor Advocates for Inclusion of "Street Race" in U.S. Census

Professor Nancy López's Proposal

Nancy López, a sociology professor at the University of New Mexico, has proposed that the U.S. Census should include a person's "street race", a term she uses to describe how others perceive an individual's race based on their physical appearance. This information was shared by The College Fix. López, whose research areas include race, ethnicity, gender, inequality, and Latino/a Studies, argues that a person's physical features such as hair, skin color, and facial characteristics can lead others to make incorrect assumptions about their race or ethnicity.

The Impact on Latinos

López highlighted that Latinos can often be the victims of anti-Asian or anti-black discrimination based on their physical appearance. She believes that including "street race" in the Census would help to highlight the discrimination and inequity that occurs due to the visual perception of race.

"Street Race" Concept

The concept of "street race" is not new, according to López. She stated that it has been developed over decades of research and is also referred to as "folk race" or "socially assigned, described race".

Role of Federal Agencies and Institutions

Despite the federal Office of Management and Budget categorizing ethnicity and race as "co-equal" in federal agencies, López believes that they should also inquire about "street race". She suggests that this should also be the case for institutions such as schools and hospitals.

Concerns About Current Data Collection

López expressed concerns about the current method of collecting data on race and ethnicity. She argues that the current approach could lead to only collecting data on ethnicity, which she finds troubling. She refers to this as "statistical gaslighting", as it can misrepresent Hispanic race by grouping it with other races. She also highlighted the lack of analytical value in the "two or more" category for individuals who identify with more than one race.

The Importance of Additional Questions

López emphasized the importance of adding another question to the Census. She believes that asking individuals how they think others perceive their race can provide valuable insights into issues such as housing discrimination, employment discrimination, and healthcare access.

López's Work and Publications

López is the co-founder of the Institute for the Study of "Race" & Social Justice at the University of New Mexico. She has also authored books such as "Quantcrit: An Antiracist Quantitative Approach to Educational Inquiry" and "Mapping “Race”: Critical Approaches to Health Disparities Research".

Bottom Line

The debate on how race and ethnicity should be represented and measured in official data collection is ongoing. Professor Nancy López's proposal to include "street race" in the U.S. Census provides a new perspective on this issue. It raises questions about the impact of perceived race on individuals' experiences and the potential benefits of collecting this data. What are your thoughts on this proposal? Would it provide a more accurate representation of racial and ethnic diversity in the U.S.? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Remember, you can sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.