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pnwmom

(108,955 posts)

20. The term "caucasian" doesn't have any particular scientific meaning anymore.

Reply to Lionessa (Reply #19)

Sun Feb 19, 2012, 10:22 PM

Feb 2012

It originally referred to people living in a very specific region, and then a scientist used it to describe other people from different geographical locations who shared physical characteristics with people in that region.

But the term "caucasian" as it is used today is as much a social construct as the term "white."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasian_race

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29 replies

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Highlight:

Am I a Latina? [View all] Lionessa Feb 2012 OP

Beats me. Do you 'feel' Latina? "European ancestry" is ambiguous. Spain is in Europe, Edweird Feb 2012 #1

I think that being considered Latino is a matter of a mark on a form. LuvNewcastle Feb 2012 #2

Yes, I'm running that same loop. However, Lionessa Feb 2012 #3

If you feel it's cheating then don't do it tammywammy Feb 2012 #4

It seems like a club that's really easy to join. LuvNewcastle Feb 2012 #6

Spain isn't Latino lunatica Feb 2012 #13

I see. I guess I conflated "Latino" with "Hispanic." LuvNewcastle Feb 2012 #17

It is tricky lunatica Feb 2012 #25

My mother's family... a la izquierda Feb 2012 #16

I look like my mom's side of the family, which is Irish and German. LuvNewcastle Feb 2012 #18

Latino is a very complicated label... a la izquierda Feb 2012 #24

Name changes HockeyMom Feb 2012 #5

Do others view you as Latina FarCenter Feb 2012 #7

Answer to title question Lionessa Feb 2012 #11

I'm not sure what you mean by "caucasian but not white" pnwmom Feb 2012 #15

As I read somewhere: caucasian = scientific reality/race --- white = social construct Lionessa Feb 2012 #19

The term "caucasian" doesn't have any particular scientific meaning anymore. pnwmom Feb 2012 #20

I don't know. Beacool Feb 2012 #8

If you are looking for a way to access funds EFerrari Feb 2012 #9

Good point. Thank you. Lionessa Feb 2012 #10

If you wish to claim Latin ethnicity, you're quite likely on firm footing to do so. Stinky The Clown Feb 2012 #12

I know someone who is 1/8th Hispanic descent, but gets the minority treatment pnwmom Feb 2012 #14

I had a Latina friend. Igel Feb 2012 #21

Bookmarking for further examination flamingdem Feb 2012 #22

Romney's dad was born and raised in Mexico ecstatic Feb 2012 #23

Yeah, but if I have understood things correctly, KitSileya Feb 2012 #26

Sounds to me like you are American Kellerfeller Feb 2012 #27

To be honest with you soleiri Feb 2012 #28

Is there anyone who "feels" their ethnicity or race or gender? blue ivy schlotsky Feb 2012 #29