Ethnicity options on forms

foozball3000

foozball3000

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I'm a little technical at times.. but this confuses me.

There are two relevant Ethnicity options for me when I'm filling out a form: African or White.
(The options are: African, Coloured, Foreign National, Indian, White)

I'm a born and bred Caucasian South African.
So, should I prioritize that my skin is white above being African? That would be racist. And Mandella said that we're all one nation... so by his words, I'm rightfully African and then White.

A lot of folks would argue to just say White and get on with it. But I take offence in not being able to say on something as simple as a form that I'm proudly South African.
 
Just put white and be done with it :p

African, like Afrikaner can mean different things depending on who uses the word. Afrikaner can be a way of just describing someone who is from Afrika...but in general, it is used to describe a Afrikaans speaking white person.

African...while it can mean anyone from Africa..in general will mean Black African person I guess. People take this too seriously I think....but I see your point also.
 
My family have been African since 1820.

I always check the relevance of colour on the form. If its for marketing then I ignore, its not important.
If its going to be an issue then I just put white, not worth having to clean up the mess later.
 
That is actually not a bad point, so only Black people are African, all the rest of us are not?

Instead of "African, Coloured, Foreign National, Indian, White" it should read "Black, Coloured, Foreign National, White".

But no, blacks own Africa, so only they have a right to call themselves African. :wtf:
 
If you can use both of them or dont fill them in at all. I would also contact the person who made the form and let them know African in a regional title not a skin color.
 
I guess we are european africans..
 
foozball3000 said:
I'm a little technical at times.. but this confuses me.

There are two relevant Ethnicity options for me when I'm filling out a form: African or White.
(The options are: African, Coloured, Foreign National, Indian, White)

I'm a born and bred Caucasian South African.
So, should I prioritize that my skin is white above being African? That would be racist. And Mandella said that we're all one nation... so by his words, I'm rightfully African and then White.

A lot of folks would argue to just say White and get on with it. But I take offence in not being able to say on something as simple as a form that I'm proudly South African.
Click to expand...

I've felt the same way for a while now. Just worried about the **** storm if I had to tick African or African and white.
 
foozball3000 said:
Internet dropdown box.. :(
But I ticked African, and I'll deal with any queries as they pop up. :)
Click to expand...

Good for you ! If they come back to you, just tell them that there was no clear definition of African on the form and you interpreted it to your own benefit.
 
Listen, in the US if you mother is Mexican and your father white American, you are white. If the reverse, you are a Hispanic and get some breaks. All depends on your last name.

Of course, if you father happened to be a Mexican with a non Spanish last name, you are white. Go figure, as they say there.
 
foozball3000 said:
I'm a little technical at times.. but this confuses me.

There are two relevant Ethnicity options for me when I'm filling out a form: African or White.
(The options are: African, Coloured, Foreign National, Indian, White)

I'm a born and bred Caucasian South African.
So, should I prioritize that my skin is white above being African? That would be racist. And Mandella said that we're all one nation... so by his words, I'm rightfully African and then White.

A lot of folks would argue to just say White and get on with it. But I take offence in not being able to say on something as simple as a form that I'm proudly South African.
Click to expand...

Saying white/african is not gonna make filling in the form any quicker, you're gonna have to pick up your pen and check the applicable box on the form.

So are you trolling, or is it just a terrible form you have to fill in ?
 
Johnone said:
If you and your wife have a child on mars, would you call it a martian?

And, on return to Earth, a Martian-Earthling?

:whistle:
Click to expand...

By your definition we're all Africans. HomoSapiens all migrated from Africa.
 
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