Taiwanese American Groups Encourage Write-In Ethnicity on Census Forms
If you’re Taiwanese and raised by politically aware parents, what box do you mark on the US Census form? Chinese? Other Asian?
In the 2000 Census, there were only 144,795 Taiwanese identified. Anyone who is actively involved in our Taiwanese American community knows that this is inaccurate. Current working estimates of the Taiwanese American population is probably in the range of at least 1 million. We are severely under counted by at least 80%!The main issue in the US Census is the lack of an identification check box that allows us to easily identify ourselves as of Taiwanese descent. So, for now, we are the “Other Asian” and we need to declare our identity by writing in “TAIWANESE” in the 2010 Census.
– Half Taiwanese of all ages and all mixed ethnicities
– First generation with a good look.
– 1.5 generation international students with a good look.
– Any younger brothers or sisters in the teenage range.
And with all that said, anyone with an interesting background or that does something unique (aspiring musician, writer, leading scientist, athlete, military, etc etc — aka most of you!) would be a plus. Remember that the goal is to show the huge diversity in the Taiwanese American community and all aspects of it. We need photos to accompany all names since spots are limited due to time and budget constraints.
The PSA will be filmed in Los Angeles this Saturday, January 30th, from 8am to 5pm. The PSA is going to be produced by Jon Lee and directed by Karen Lin.
If you’re interested in taking part, and aren’t already connected with the Taiwanese American community, email me and I’ll put you in contact.
It seems maybe it should go the other way.
Check “Other Race” and write in “Asian” or maybe “East Asian”
Strange that whether you just got off the plane from Croatia or if your roots go back to Jamestown, you’re “White”