[BMW786]

I was looking at the ticket I got a few weeks ago and I noticed it said 'W' under race, which I am guessing means 'White.' I have fair skin, but I don't think I look like a White person nor would most ppl...Most ppl. think I look Middle-Eastern so I was wondering why the cop would mark my race as 'W.' and the funny part is, I'm not even Middle-Eastern! I think I read somewhere though that there are only three major races: Asian, White, and Black and everyone falls into one of those categories...I could be wrong though..

[noflash]

Maybe he meant Wacko.

I kid, I kid!

[BMW F22]

I think you would be considered Asian.

[mikeman]

im middle eastern(armenian) as well and on my speeding ticket he put down WHT.

btw..does anyone know what the consequences would be for speeding 60 in 35mph zone?

[E36_325i]

I'm hispanic and got W on my ticket. FWIW.

In Indiana, going 25 over the postet limit is considered wreckeless, not sure about CA. Might want to get a lawyer for that one.

[shimshimhada]

W stands for We are one. Congratulations world, we have reached the point of too many races too account for, therefore eliminating classification...but wait...why is the letter W used? OMGRACIST! RTtWF!

[BMW F22]

all I can say is that in the future we would all be Asian. Survival of the fittest. LOL

[BMW786]

Originally Posted by BMWE90

I think you would be considered Asian.

that's what I would think. My ethnicity is Indian but most ppl. think I look Middle-Eastern b/c of my light skin. Even geographically, the Middle-East is in Asia but on UC applications, if you are of Middle-Eastern descent, you are considered 'Caucasian.' It might have changed since I last applied...

[BMW786]

Originally Posted by mezmeriz3d

im middle eastern(armenian) as well and on my speeding ticket he put down WHT.

I get Armenian too sometimes.

[NaTuReB0Y]

I'm Hmong..........

[deutschmann59]

Middle-Eastern would probably most likely be considered Semitic, as in Afro-Asiatic. I'm not sure what that would be considered...that's two different continents! I guess you could fall under the caucasian umbrella for applications and stuff like that, but anthropologically, the term is Semitic.

[nabutes]

I too am Indian, but apparently I look more like an Italian. I've also received the middle-eastern comments...

[M 3Rilla]

I wouldn't consider a Middle Eastern person white. It's funny but a lot of people don't realize that the Middle East is part of Asia and Saudi Arabia and the countries near it are considered Southwest Asia.

[gilbertb11]

the three races are more commonly known as white, black and mongol/oriental. Black is anyone not white or oriental. White is anyone not oriental or black and so on. Quite simple really

[Mark]

Keep in mind, All these racial classifications/stratifications are not scientifically based but politically based. The current racial schema was established like 60 years ago and middle easterns are considered under the Caucasian umbrella. I'm sure if the system was revamped today, ME ppl would have their own substrata, similar to hispanic. Point is, it doesn't really matter, you should identify with whatever group you want to, not what the government decides to pigeon hole you into.

[ska///235i]

Like i said before...someday we'll be humping eachother so it doesn't matter if is A, B, or W

Originally Posted by MarkE90M3

Keep in mind, All these racial classifications/stratifications are not scientifically based but politically based. The current racial schema was established like 60 years ago and middle easterns are considered under the Caucasian umbrella. I'm sure if the system was revamped today, ME ppl would have their own substrata, similar to hispanic. Point is, it doesn't really matter, you should identify with whatever group you want to, not what the government decides to pigeon hole you into.

Well said, Mark!

[E90-4life]

Originally Posted by ska

Like i said before...someday we'll be humping eachother so it doesn't matter if is A, B, or W

agreed.

What's most interesting is how they created the catergory "black" which doesn't encompass as wide a variety as "white" or "asian". As if you need anyone to tell you what you don't already know. Just another form of institutionalized racism.

Funny enough I have heard a TON of middle easterners regard themselves as "white". Wonder why?

[BMW786]

Originally Posted by sharp1183

Middle-Eastern would probably most likely be considered Semitic, as in Afro-Asiatic. I'm not sure what that would be considered...that's two different continents! I guess you could fall under the caucasian umbrella for applications and stuff like that, but anthropologically, the term is Semitic.

When I think of Semitic, I mostly think of Jews but man, I should have taken anthropology in college, all my friends took it, heh...

[BMW786]

Originally Posted by LaithAzim

I wouldn't consider a Middle Eastern person white. It's funny but a lot of people don't realize that the Middle East is part of Asia and Saudi Arabia and the countries near it are considered Southwest Asia.

this is what I don't get it..geographically, it doesn't really make sense. Since the Middle-East is part of Asia, you would think they would be considered Asian before anything else.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by BMW786

this is what I don't get it..geographically, it doesn't really make sense. Since the Middle-East is part of Asia, you would think they would be considered Asian before anything else.

Well you hit the nail on the head, its not geographically based, its politically based (most of Russia is in the continent of Asia but Russians are Europeans...). Basicly Asian = east asian in our vocabulary, but 100 years ago it wasn't so.

Back then the term Asian would mean middle eastern/afghan/indian. And Far easterners were Oriental.

But because of political decisions the wording has been changed. In another 100 years the wording will change again, it doesn't really mean anything at all. A Japanese person is still Japanese weather or not he is called an Oriental, Asian or Guacamolian.

[BMW786]

Originally Posted by MarkE90M3

Well you hit the nail on the head, its not geographically based, its politically based (most of Russia is in the continent of Asia but Russians are Europeans...). Basicly Asian = east asian in our vocabulary, but 100 years ago it wasn't so.

Back then the term Asian would mean middle eastern/afghan/indian. And Far easterners were Oriental.

But because of political decisions the wording has been changed. In another 100 years the wording will change again, it doesn't really mean anything at all. A Japanese person is still Japanese weather or not he is called an Oriental, Asian or Guacamolian.

Interesting...I see what you are saying but like E90-4life said, some Middle-Easterners still consider themselves "White" b/c they may have fair skin, light eyes similar to Europeans..but all of the ones I have met usually identify their ethnicity (i.e. Armenian, Persian, etc.) even though they could almost pass for "White." I guess part of the reason for that depends on where you live...