Date: Tue, 10 Oct 1995 14:30:51 -0700 (PDT) From: KZPG -Broadcasting population news & views To: K40 KZPG Opinion & Editorials page -- Subject: KZPG-OpEd: The population race card Editor's opinion: I'm uncomfortable about the following article I recently received from a dedicated population activists, (who's name I won't mention to protect her from any unintended embarrassment). I'm sure she sent it with the best of intentions - not thinking it would make me so uncomfortable. The reason I've decided to forward it, is to use it make a point. Here are the first few lines of the article: > HISPANIC POPULATION GROWTH OUTPACES ALL OTHERS > > Washington, D.C./Miami - The nation's Hispanic population continues to > grow faster than the total, according to a new statistical brief being > > [... Full text is at bottom of this post.] So what's the problem with it? Seems like pretty ordinary stuff from a demographer, doesn't it? What if you received an article from a group wanting less people as follows: > - the world is overpopulated - > WHITES POPULATION GROWTH OUTPACES ALL OTHERS > (breeding like rabbits) I've exaggerated it a bit so you wouldn't miss the point. Laugh out of loud if you need to, but what this says to me is that someone thinks we are bad people just because of our skin color. I hate to say this, but this is a prime example of a racist headline. And because population is our issue, if we hope not to be labeled racist, we need to stomp out headlines (and articles) like this one. Perhaps we've just so used to seeing stuff like this, that we don't even think about it anymore. But I ask you, what would a Hispanic, Black, or Jew think? Would they shudder or laugh out of nervousness as you did? --- So what do we do with the race issue, (or the "race card" as it's now commonly called)? Do we just not talk about it? Do we simply preface any articles with a statement saying that we love people of every skin color, sort of like a warning label? And what do we do about the U.S. Census Bureau who is putting out stuff like this? --- I think instead of skin color, we need to focus on demographic variables which really matter, like the level of education, the average family income and family size, population density, languages spoken and country of origin, religion, average commute distance and average home value, and perhaps the age of first pregnancy. Furthermore, I think we need to send articles like this one back to their author with a message such as this, explaining why their article is inappropriate and racist. --- But I'm open to your thinking on this issue. Perhaps I'm over-sensitive from the OJ verdict. Perhaps Hispanic's, Blacks, Jews and Whites aren't as sensitive as I think. What's your view? Sincerely, -- Howard Johnson P.S. It also bothers me when the news reports, that for instance "three black people were killed". Isn't it more important how old they were, where they lived, and whether they had a family? What's so important about their skin color? Can't journalists stop this media racism? --- complete article --- The statistical brief, "The Nation's Hispanic Population - 1994" Public Information Office 301-457-3030 301-457-4067 (TDD) Debbie Niner 301-457-2403 HISPANIC POPULATION GROWTH OUTPACES ALL OTHERS Washington, D.C./Miami - The nation's Hispanic population continues to grow faster than the total, according to a new statistical brief being released by the Commerce Department's Census Bureau for National Hispanic Heritage Month. The statistical brief, "The Nation's Hispanic Population - 1994" (SB/95-25) is available in English and Spanish and contains information about the Hispanic population on topics including education, health insurance, income, and poverty status. This brief contains data released earlier this year from the March 1994 Current Population Survey and will also be available via the Census Bureau's web site (http://www.census.gov/ftp /pub/apsd/www/statbrief/). -X- Editor's note: media representatives may obtain a copy of the brief from the Census Bureau's Public Information Office on 301-457-3030; fax: 301-457-3670; or e-mail: pio@census.gov; or Fax-on-Demand at 301-457-4178, Document No. 1095, and Document No. 1096 (Spanish Language). Non-media orders should be directed to the bureau's FastFax on 1-900-555-2FAX (there is a nominal fee); Customer Services Office on 301-763-4100 or fax: 301-457-3842. --- end --- ______________________________________________________________________ *** KZPG: broadcasting population related news and views *** Send news, commentary and subscription requests to KZPG@iti.com. Views broadcast don't necessarily represent the views of KZPG or its staff. Not affiliated with ZPG Inc. Equal time given for controversial issues. Voice: 408-255-2422 Fax: 408-255-2436 Web: http://www.iti.com/iti/kzpg/ Feedback appreciated. Editor: Howard Johnson -SJ CA