Exercise 1

For a growing number of people, the racial and ethnic categories on census forms and other surveys inadequately describe their racial or ethnic heritage. To learn more about the difficulties faced by multiethnic Americans when they fill out school data questionnaires, census forms, and other questionnaires that ask them to indicate to what one racial or ethnic group they belong, log onto the Association of MultiEthnic Americans Web site (http://www.ameasite.org). Select “Classification Issue”; then select “AMEA Testimony Before House Census Subcommittee 6/30/93.” Read through the testimony and summarize the issues that arise when a single-race classification system is used in the following arenas:

1. public health



2. public schools

Exercise 2

Visit the Affirmative Action and Diversity Project Web site (http://aad.english.ucsb.edu). From the list on the left, click on “Changing Definitions of Discrimination”; then “Evolving Understandings of Discrimination.” Select Mary P. Rowe’s essay entitled “Fostering Diversity: Some Major Hurdles Remain.” After reading Rowe’s essay, answer the following questions:

1. What recommendations does Rowe make to reduce discrimination and encourage diversity?



2. Does your college campus have any programs or policies that are similar to what Rowe recommends?