Last census a lot of us wrote in "human" for race.

I have a serious question about the US census. Do resident non-citizens have to fill it in, and do they have to give the sort of answer about race the authorities want if they do have to fill it in?

Just curious.

Even more concrete is getting 'American' on a birth certificate, as I've done with both my children. They can't undo that, and it isn't just census data that they can decide later to lump back under 'caucasian'.

We're going "human", I believe. Did it in 2000, too.

I think Krikorian is right and righteous.

Please answer Question 9 on the standard census questionnaire by checking the last option — “Some other race” — and writing in “American.”

Cutesy answers such as “human” or 100 Yard Dash will not be counted by the Census Bureau.

“American” will be counted.

In fact, “American” was the leading answer to that question in the 2000 census in four states and several hundred counties. We need to make it 50 states this time.

If you are hassled about answering American by the census bureaucrats or the ACORN minion who comes to your door, you have legal support for your answer:

“In the eyes of government, we are just one race here. It is American.”

Justice Scalia, concurring in Adarand Constructors v. Pena, 515 U.S. 200 (1995).

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/93-1841.ZC.html

Our Motto should be:

Just One Race — American

FYI: According to a posting today on NRO's The Corner ("To Answer or Not to Answer the Census – That Is the Question") even just writing "American" could be construed as a violation of federal law.

PST314: I checked the NRO page. I read the argument. It is a crime to lie to the Census Bureau and it is a crime not to answer the questions. But, writing in American is an answer, and, if you are an American, it is true. Further I have proffered legal support, in the form of Justice Scalia's opinion. I cannot believe, that they could, or would, even think of prosecuting a person who did that.

Nothing cutesy, Fat Man.

Go ask a biologist which is a race, and which answer is a political statement.

Not being snarky or sarcastic, either.

I'm so far beyond disgust with our presumptive rulers that it's still even money whether or not the Census will be responded to from this address.

In a word, FUCK them. There are not enough prisons for the number of folks they are going to be dealing with this time next year. Chasing down census scofflaws will be low on their priorities, what with the collapse of the dollar, Russia invading Georgia, and congress critters running from angry mobs.

Just sayin'.

And if they try to make an effort here, well, its an outcome I've considered.

A biologist will tell you that race is not a biological category. It is a social political construct. American is the perfect answer.

All who are interested may examine Title 13 of the United States Code, which governs the census. Sections 221-225 are of particular relevance. My lay reading of these sections makes me think that aliens do have to answer said questions, just as citizens do. So the answer to "Fletcher Christian's" question is, yes, they do in my opinion.

As for the bawling and strutting of "TmjUtah" well, let Tmj answer the census as Tmj will. The odds are hugely in Tmj's favor that no prosecution will ever result. But just to be safe, use a pseudonym as you roar defiance at the government. Defiance is easy at the keyboard, but price tag suddenly becomes more visible when the US Marshals knock at your door, or the summons arrives in the mail. The rest of us will snicker at such pusillanimous defiance, needing a phony name to hide itself from consequences.

Unfortunately, at this stage of the Republic's game, Federal law is a violation of Federal law.

American is an answer, so thy cannot slag for not answering.

American, if you are a citizen, is also true, so they cannot say you lied.

"Defiance is easy at the keyboard, but price tag suddenly becomes more visible when the US Marshals knock at your door, or the summons arrives in the mail. The rest of us will snicker at such pusillanimous defiance, needing a phony name to hide itself from consequences.

Mr. Koster, my fingerprints, footprints, and dental impressions are already in the possession of the Federal Government. They know that I am Andy Jones and live in Orem, Utah. If there is still anyone out there that thinks anonymity on the net is possible, well, they probably think that wishing and unicorn farts build flush toilets, too.

If my tone is off putting, maybe it's because the people I am most angry with are my peers - the boomers and the tail end of that generation that let the present shit happen.

I've never hidden from the consequences of my actions; I will admit, though, that ceasing to go out of my way to instigate consequences was probably a damned good choice to make when I did...

It is a violation of Federal RULE to be a free citizen. I'm not looking for trouble.

I'm sure it will find me when it's time.

That's south Orem, Greg.

Anonymous. It is too laugh.

Last time I filled out a US census form (don't remember what year) I did the same thing: checked "other" and wrote in "American". Never heard a word from them afterwards, so I figured they were OK with it.

Another thought occurs: just how picky do they want us to get?
Barack Obama clearly needs to enter "mulatto", and since that is not precisely "black", I suppose it also falls under that nebulous "other" category. And don't forget quadroons, octaroons, mestizos, ... is there a complete list somewhere?

I thought that all we have to answer is how many people live in the house-? And nothing else---

I think I'm probably going to write in Human. I think I did that last time. It will still get counted.

Too bad the gov't is bright enough not to put "Native American" on it. I always check that box when I see it, 'cause, like, I was born here.