Asked by Anonymous

What is the importance of self identification of race or is it really important at all
Answered by Anonymous
What does that mean
Answered by Ms. Sue
What ideas do you have about this?
Answered by Anonymous
Im not sure what it means
Answered by Ms. Sue
If most people would say you are black, is it important for you to identify yourself as black?

Or -- like a girl I once knew who had many more white ancestors than black, chose to identify as black because of the availability of college scholarships at the time.
Answered by Reed
How one identifies himself/herself has a lot to do with self-image. President Obama is of mixed race (his mother was "white", his father "black"). He inherited dark skin and identifies as black. He could identify as "mixed", but probably not "white" because of the color of his skin. People identify themselves according to societal expectations and their own self-image. And it is important!
Answered by Reed
This might help you understand:

http://anthro.palomar.edu/ethnicity/ethnic_3.htm