The subject is so painful for him that only this year did he have his first substantive discussion about race, with a Cal State Northridge professor researching people of mixed descent. During their talk, Catbagan revisited the racial fault lines that split his family apart. The conversation ended after Catbagan broke down in tears. I just took my father's identity. Federal agencies have not yet decided how they will tabulate data from the new categories.
Some sociologists believe that the numbers are less important than the philosophical implications.
Just having the option is going to make everybody think another five seconds about who they are. After the 2000 census, racial identity could become more like religion or political orientation, with ethnic affiliations being chosen rather than inherited, Chew said. This year, he says, he will be something else. But I took a different turn. I identify multiracially.