When filling out forms, whether they be tax forms, job application forms, gym membership forms, etc., one would invariably run into a “check your ethnicity” section. It is usually accompanied by a blurb saying that information gathered is for statistical purposes only. Filling it out would not affect the eligibility of an applicant, it assures. One can choose to skip the section altogether, of course, with no consequence whatsoever.
Below is an example of this type of checkbox section. It is from a form that I had to fill out for my sons’ school this past week. You’ll notice that “Filipino” is the only nationality that gets listed as a major category. The other categories are general ethnic groups such as “African American or Black,” “Asian,” “Hispanic or Latino,” “Pacific Islander” and “White.” The only other major category that gets close to being listed with the same specificity as Filipino is “American Indian or Alaskan Native.” “Asian” and “Pacific Islander” are further broken down into nationalities. I wonder why “Filipino” doesn’t fall under either of these categories.
Forms have always been laid out this way as far back as I can remember as a California resident of 20-plus years.
I’m reminded of our visit to the “it’s a small world” attraction in Disneyland. As our boat went through the “Asian” room, I craned my neck looking for little Ms. Philippines. I didn’t find her. Hmmm, maybe it was the Disneyworld Small World that had Ms. Philippines, not Disneyland’s, I thought. Next, we entered the “Pacific Island” room. There, tucked in a corner, was Ms. Philippines in a Filipiniana dress, all by her lonesome self. The other real Pacific Islanders followed, with their more elaborate setups.