US Census Bureau Adds MENA Category, Enhancing Arab American Recognition
The US Census Bureau has made a significant alteration to its upcoming forms by introducing the "MENA" category, which stands for Middle Eastern or North African. This development marks a pivotal change in how Arab Americans are recognized, following more than half a century of advocacy for a distinct 'Arab' category on census documents. However, a notable limitation is that most Arab Americans will be to specify their nationalities, as the MENA category explicitly lists only four nationalities: Lebanese, Syrian, Iraqi, and Egyptian.
The MENA category will not only feature specific options for Lebanese, Syrian, Iraqi, and Egyptian nationalities but also include "Israeli" and "Iranian," leaving other significant Arab communities, such as those from Palestine and Jordan, to write in their nationalities.
The introduction of the MENA category, despite not meeting all expectations, has been acknowledged as progress. Arab American Institute Executive Director Maya Berry lauded this move as a historic achievement for the visibility of Arab Americans in federal data collection. Yet, the partial inclusion has sparked concerns over the potential underrepresentation and erasure of key segments within the community.
Abed Ayoub, the national executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, recognized the significance of this long-awaited change. He emphasized the necessity of ongoing efforts to ensure complete and accurate representation of Arab Americans, underlying the importance of this inclusion for federal support and political representation.
The reclassification of Arab Americans in the census carries substantial implications. Historically classified as "White" and required to write in their national identities, Arab Americans were ineligible for federal grants and lacked political continuity in congressional redistricting efforts. The introduction of the MENA category is seen as a step towards rectifying these issues, as it acknowledges Arab Americans as a distinct group, separate from the "White" category.
The reconfiguration of congressional districts, such as the division of Illinois's 3rd Congressional District, which had a significant Palestinian-American voter base, into five separate districts, showcases the practical impact of census classifications on political representation. The inclusion of Arab Americans in the census, akin to the inclusion of Hispanics in the 1980s, is anticipated to enhance their political influence and access to federal resources.
Managed by the Office of Management and Budget, part of the US government, the decennial census plays a crucial role in shaping the political and social landscape of the nation. The inclusion of the MENA category, albeit a "minimum reporting category," signifies a noteworthy advancement in the recognition and representation of Middle Eastern and North African communities in the United States.
Sign in with Google