Identity and Classification

The US census currently uses methods of self-reporting to determine one’s race. Currently, the 5 categories of races are white, black or African American, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, and Native American or Pacific Islander. However, further studies reveal that these categories may not be representative of how people self-identify. Middle Eastern and North Africans (MENA), and people of Arab descent, are currently categorized as white. Dr. Neda Maghbouleh conducted a study to determine MENA’s relationship with whiteness. Her study concludes that the ambiguity of this categorization makes this population vulnerable to racialization, and they experience a split from whiteness through micro-interactions. For example, she found an Iranian immigrant who identified as “Asian” in elementary school, solely based on geographical location as the definition of race. This elementary school placed her in Chinese bicultural classes as a result of this classification. After two years she realized through her interactions with others and others' reactions to her that she does not identify as Asian.

Therefore, Dr. Maghbouleh demonstrates through these interviews how race is socially shaped, and not binary or clear-cut. For MENA Americans, the classifications demonstrate a lumping with other groups and do not accurately represent their own identification. Data suggest that when given the option, Americans with last names of Arab origin will overwhelmingly self-identify as MENA, rather than white (Maghbouleh, 2020).