Mmmmmmwell, Peace, sometimes Azizi talks sense. In the case of the Census Bureau discussion above, I think she was trying too hard to twist words around so that she could be right.

Sorry again, Azizi, but you (and I) quoted the Census Bureau's opening remark: "The concept of race as used by the Census Bureau reflects self-identification by people according to the race or races with which THEY most closely identify." Not necessarily the race with which the Census Bureau identifies them. The categories listed appear to be nothing more than a guideline for people to make a voluntary choice according to the government's definition. So for you to claim that "the US" (a rather broad brush with which to paint the Census Bureau) does not regard the color of their skin or other physical features, or that people who appear to be African-American are considered "White" based on their geographical origin (in your post of 26 June 11:20 a.m.) is incorrect.

The White category "includes people who indicate their race as 'White' or report entries" (including Arab). The Black category "includes people who indicate their race as 'Black, African Am., or Negro, or provide written entries..." If you're multiracial, you may check off more than one box. Get the idea? Apparently the Census Bureau says you are what you say you are. They categorize because they need to do that in order to compile data.

And they categorize Arab-Americans as "white". However, I don't see how you can conclude from this that people who live in or emigrate to the US from North Africa are classified as "white" if they identify themselves as "black".

As Hummer says, one's legal standing is an entirely different kettle of fish. Just because the guy in the lawsuit you read about somewhere came from the Sudan doesn't mean that he was (to use the old term Art cited) "Negroid" (he may have been Arab). Heck, there are "Caucasoids" in Kenya, Nigeria and Haiti (the examples listed by the Census Bureau under "Black") but they would not check off the "Black" box on their census form.

Azizi, you say, "In Arabic, 'Sudan' means the land of the Blacks.
And, in Latin 'Ethiopia' means 'burned' or Black face. Ancient Ethiopia included the Sudan and was also called 'Nubia'. 'Nubian' means 'Black'." Indeed so, and those names reflect skin-color differences that the namers observed, but that doesn't mean that Arabs are genetically "Negroid", any more than the name "Pennsylvania" means that everyone in the state is related to William Penn.

The use of the term "black" by "whites" has, historically, not been restricted to a reference to people of the race we call "black" today (as I'm sure you well know!!!). Take the term "Black Irish", for example: Wikipedia describes it as "a traditional term believed to have originated in the United States that commonly ascribes to a dark brown or black hair phenotype appearing in Caucasian persons of Irish descent. This can be distinguished in contrast to the (lighter) brown, blond or red hair color variant, the latter stereotypically perceived to personify the look of typical Irish folk."

Also see this site about the Black Irish, Black Dutch where we find this statement: "...There are strong indications that the original 'Black Dutch' were swarthy complexioned Germans but Anglo-Americans loosely applied the term to any dark-complexioned American of European descent. Some say the term was adopted as an attempt to disguise Indian or tri-racial descent. Some Cherokee & Chickasaw Indians are called Black Dutch."

So "black" is a very, very broad term, sometimes used to describe dark hair or eye color rather than skin color, sometimes used derogatorily toward people of myriad races. So it is foolish to claim that "the land of the Blacks" was so named because of a "Negroid" population therein. By the way, where did you get the information that "Ethiopia" was a Latin word? Wikipedia lists the etymology as being either from the Greek for "of burned face" (which could be simply a description of a light-skinned person's sunburn) or named after a great-grandson of Noah, or from ancient Egyptian for "land of higher peace". Likewise, Wikipedia says "Nubia" may have been derived from the Egyptian word "Nub" for "gold".

So, friend Azizi, give pause before blindly believing and quoting propaganda that presents itself as truth... and trying to "teach" it to the rest of us. I see you've exited the stage, but I hope you see this before exiting the building.