Armenians, Hmong, and other communities believe US race and ethnicity classifications do not accurately reflect their identities

The recent reclassification of race and ethnicity groups by the federal government has sparked controversy among some communities in the United States. While the revisions were intended to better capture the diversity of the country, groups like the Hmong, Armenian, Black Arab, and Brazilian communities feel that they are not accurately represented in the official numbers.

For the Hmong community, the classification as East Asian after the 2020 census has been particularly hurtful. Many Hmong feel that they should be classified as Southeast Asian due to their history of fighting for the U.S. during the Vietnam War. Being categorized incorrectly not only affects their identity but also has practical implications, such as hiding socioeconomic disparities that need to be addressed.

Similarly, the exclusion of Black Arabs and Armenians from the new Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) category has raised concerns among these communities. Without their own category, many fear that they will be undercounted in official numbers, leading to a loss of political power and resources.

Additionally, a coding error in a Census Bureau survey revealed that a significant number of Brazilians in the U.S. identify as Hispanic or Latino. This oversight highlights the need for more accurate data collection to ensure that all communities are properly represented.

Overall, the reclassification efforts have brought to light the importance of accurately capturing the diversity of the United States and the impact it can have on various communities in terms of funding, political representation, and cultural identity. The federal government has stated that it will continue to work with these communities to improve their classification and ensure that their voices are heard.