Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Four of his ribs were broken
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Marwan al-Barghouti lost consciousness after a brutal assault by Israeli occupation soldiers
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip have not stopped, and just a short while ago, fishermen came under fire from boats
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces carry out a large explosion in the eastern neighborhood of the town of Mays al-Jabal in southern Lebanon.
Israeli media: Israeli political leadership decides to open Rafah crossing “as planned” and transfer aid to Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: Three Palestinians were killed after being targeted by Israeli drone fire in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh

MENA category may be added in US Census form for racial equity

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 30 Jan 2023 15:20
2 Min Read

Groups in the OMB believe that adding this category will fight the underrepresentation of Middle Eastern and North African groups.

  • x
  • A picture of a census booklet sent to citizens to fill out every year (AFP)
    A picture of a census booklet sent to citizens to fill out every year (AFP)

Census data on race and ethnicity in the United States may be changed soon as a recent proposal includes adding the option for Middle Eastern and North African people. 

On Thursday, the proposal released by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding race and ethnicity statistical standards reveal a "new and distinct minimum reporting category" for people hailing from the MENA region - but currently have no other option but to select "white".

The proposal involves defining white as only individuals of European ancestry. The OMB justifies its proposal by stating that "many in the MENA community do not share the same lived experience as White people with European ancestry, do not identify as White, and are not perceived as White by others."

Related News

Census Bureau: World grew by 74 million over past year

No changes anytime soon?

Groups in the OMB believe that adding this category will fight the underrepresentation of Middle Eastern and North African groups - but that's not the only change.

Another alteration includes adding more specific ethnicities under the "Hispanic or Latino" category such as Colombian or Peruvian. However, that did not sit with some groups who stated that it would undercount Latinos identifying with other races such as Afro-Latinos.

Shockingly, the term "Negro" still exists on these forms as part of the definition of Black or African American people, which the proposal includes removing. It also suggests replacing "Far East" with "East Asian," and adding Indigenous North, South, and Central Americans to the definition of American Indian or Alaska Native. 

A final decision will not be made or released until the summer of the next year 2024 but public feedback is being requested as of now. 

Read next: Black Americans skeptical meaningful changes will take place: Survey

  • Census Bureau
  • MENA
  • US
  • census
  • Joe Biden

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
UK extends jet patrols over Poland as NATO builds ‘drone wall’
Politics

UK extends jet patrols over Poland as NATO builds ‘drone wall’

Thousands trapped in El Fasher siege on ‘edge of survival': Report
Politics

Thousands trapped in El-Fasher siege on ‘edge of survival': Report

Trump links aid to Milei’s midterm success, blackmailing Argentinians.
US & Canada

Trump 'extorts' Argentinians, links aid to Milei’s midterm success

Six foreigners barred as US polices speech on Charlie Kirk
Politics

6 foreigners' visas revoked as US polices speech on Charlie Kirk

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS