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Dear Project RACE Members
Date: July 13, 2001
Now that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has made it’s
recommendation on the multiracial classification, I would like to take this
opportunity to talk about it and where we go next.
The OMB recommendation is NOT to have a multiracial classification. BUT,
they are recommending a "check all that apply" format on the U.S. Census and
federal forms. It is the first time in the history of this country that the
"check one" mandate will disappear. It is definite PROGRESS! We got HALF of
what we asked for.
We have come a very long way. Project RACE was founded in 1991 to do things
differently than our predecessors. We saw the wisdom (and the very hard
work!) in passing state legislation to "bubble up" to Washington and force
them to pay attention to the dilemma of checking only one box. Our strategy
worked! The Federal Register notice of July 9, 1997, states, "Legislative
activity at the State level generates further impetus for considering a
modification to the Federal Standard to provide reporting of more than one
race." In other words, they had to respond to what we had DONE, not just
what we talked about. I am extremely proud of the members of Project RACE.
The Board of Directors of Project RACE has unanimously voted to NOT stop with
"half a loaf." It IS important to be recognized as multiracial children and
adults, not just as "check all that apply" persons. I have received calls,
e-mail and faxes from Project RACE members who agree and say multiracial
children should have an appropriate label, as does every other racial group.
I have been asked to testify again in Washington on JULY 25. I would like to
take as many comments from Project RACE members and their children as
possible to show to the subcommittee.
PLEASE E-MAIL SHORT STATEMENTS TO ME AT projrace@aol.com
or fax to (770) 640-7101 BY JULY 23 AT THE LATEST. YOUR VOICES NEED
TO BE HEARD IN WASHINGTON!
When I return from Washington I will draft an "ACTION ALERT" so that we may
all respond to the Federal Register notice by September 8, 1997. Please
check our WEB site at for further updates.
Thank you.
Susan Graham
Executive Director
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