Multiracial people of Asian descent, like most marginalized peoples, live along the borders of "passing," and not passing, for White. When Asian American multiracial people can express the full range of their humanity without boundaries of race, the debate about "passing" will become obsolete. (SLD)

Conducted qualitative study of issues salient in development of racial identity for schoolchildren of African-American/white racial heritage. Conducted semistructured interviews with nine biracial children and their parents. Found that participant children and adolescents did not appear to perceive themselves as marginal in two cultures.…

Uses a theoretical frame based on human ecology in order to analyze Virginia Hamilton's exposition of Arilla's search for identity (in the novel "Arilla Sun Down") as she tries to come to terms with her biracial heritage. Helps readers understand the process as well as the result of Arilla's search for identity. (SG)

The author and her mentor, Loudell Snow, were standing in the anthropology department's shabby little lounge, discussing the merits of French wine. Lou was teasing her for being partial to French wine since she is French American. "Hey, I thought that you're an American Indian, but now you are saying you are French? Make up your mind!" Lou and the…

Parallels in the thinking of Gloria Anzaldua as expressed in her work "Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza" (1987) about "mestiza" consciousness and the tasks of critical ethnography are explored. Ethnography, as it shifts toward the new paradigm of critical ethnography, can learn much from the consciousness Anzaldua…

Children of intermarriages have special needs. They often encounter prejudice from other family members such as grandparents, and, in general, society does not know how to regard them. A bicultural approach to childbearing is necessary; it is most important that a child learn about the culture of the parent of color. (KH)

This brief summarizes data from Census 2000 on the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population and discusses its distribution at national, regional, and state levels. This information is intended for all levels of government to use in implementing and evaluating programs related to education, employment, health care, job training, civil…

In view of the increasing number of interracial relationships and families, and the concomitant emphasis on religious, cultural, racial, ethnic, and national identity (and their contribution to pride, self awareness, and community), this paper examines the rights and responsibilities of interracial families to challenge the emerging trend toward…

Erdrich and Dorris, spouses of mixed Anglo-Indian heritage, have written novels addressing the issues of shifting racial identity and marginality among mixed-blood persons. In "The Crown of Columbus," such persons are "catches" fastening two cultures together, and the authors synthesize a male-female Native…

Documents the limitations of the 1991 Census classification of "mixed" race parentage. Examines the only official sources of information that can be used to estimate the number of children of mixed parentage, and assesses policy needs for such information. (JPB)

This paper categorizes multiracial youth (N=1,496) ages 14 to 19 and compares them with each other and with monoracial youth on identity development measures. The multiracial categories used here are derived from youths' reports of their own and their parents' race(s). Comparisons are made within groups of multiracial respondents who make…

During their senior year students in the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools develop a postsecondary plan. This plan outlines what students intend to do after graduating from high school; whether they are planning to attend a 4-year college/university, junior/community college, or vocational/technical school; seek employment…

Emphasizes the need for an awareness of issues faced by interracial children in order for counselors to guide them toward self-esteem and racial identification. Discusses special problems faced by interracial children and implications for counseling children and their families. (JAC)

Because of their unique social, legal, and political status, American Indians and Alaska Natives are subject to legislative oversight unlike any other group in the United States. Census data are used to monitor the size and characteristics of the American Indian and Alaska Native population living on and off reservations. Passed in 1978 to ensure…

This report addresses issues that data users will face in using, interpreting, and presenting new data on race from the 2000 census, which allowed multiple racial responses. Changing how the census collects data on race is not new. Almost every census for the past 200 years has collected racial data differently than the previous census. New…