August 18, 1998
The Multiracial Activist
From The Editor:
From a usenet posting on dejanews.members.misc.snowrose1.multirace, snowrose1 asks:
I am curious as to the opinion of the American population. My daughter is biracial and would like not to be known as black or white but both. I believe it is her right to be able to identify with both races if she so chooses. This is not the cases with the census at this time. I realize that changes are being made on the new forms, but what changes are being made for the tabulations. Can we really get a clear account of the true make up of the american population?
The tabulation scheme is still being drafted although it will probably include some form of the one-drop rule. In other words, your child's multiple checked boxes will be substituted for one box. The Census Bureau has not formally announced this, but it fully intends to one-drop multiracials. This is fraud and also illegal, but condoned by this Administration which does exactly what the NAACP and other so-called civil rights groups tell them to. I have bookmarked this list and will post an announcement when the tabulation scheme is formally announced. For now, I would recommend writing to your Member of Congress and Senators and tell them to make the Census Bureau count your child correctly instead of using her as a political tool for special interest groups who don't care about her.
Your in Struggle,
James A. Landrith, Jr.
Editor, The Multiracial Activist