The number of young Americans who identify

themselves as multiracial is soaring. 

What effect will they have on the country's racial identity?

Use the information on pages 8-11 of the Upfront Magazine to help you answer these questions.

What are the three most important components of your identity? gender, age, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, etc.

If you listed race or ethnicity, why do think that they are central to many people's identities?

According to the Census Bureau, the mixed population of the U.S. has grown by at least 35% in last decade.  Why do you think so many more people are identifying themselves as mixed race? 

What cultural and social changes in the U. S. might be helping fuel this trend?

How have changes in the census questionnaire in the past 120 years reflected changes in racial attitudes?

What is the "one-drop rule"?

How do the different students interviewed for this article feel about their racial identities?

According to the Census Bureau, the mixed race population has grown by how much since 2000?

How do you think students 50 years ago would have responded to questions about their racial identities.

How has the entertainment media and advertisers responded to the increasing number of mixed race Americans?

How is census data about race and ethnicity used, an by whom?

Will the increasing number of mixed race Americans lead to a less race-conscious country? Defend your answer.

Essay Prompt

Write an essay describing how the election of Barack Obama has affected Americans' views of race.