Still One Drop of Blood? Uncovering the Rules of Racial Classification in the U.S.

• In Event: 2449 - Race, Genetics and Belonging

Abstract

What are the rules governing ethnoracial classification in the United States today? Historically, scholars claim that the boundary separating Whites from Blacks was based on ancestry and hypodescent. But post-1965 immigration and rising intermarriage have led to new racial categories and ambiguity about the location and character of ethnoracial boundaries. Additionally, emerging evidence suggests sociocultural cues like social class, names, and language may shape perceived race. We use a paired conjoint survey experiment with a nationally- representative sample of 1,500 non-Hispanic White respondents to identify the traits that shape ethnoracial classification as White, Black, Hispanic, Native American, Middle Eastern (MENA), and Asian. We find that while ancestry strongly determines classification for most groups, there is little evidence supporting the ‘one drop’ rule. Instead, skin color powerfully shapes classification; observers rely on a skin ‘color line’ to divide Whites from Blacks and categorize mixed-ancestry individuals. In addition, sociocultural cues are fundamental for Hispanic categorization, and to some extent Native American, MENA, and Asian. By demonstrating that skin color and cultural cues are more important dimensions of race than previously acknowledged, we join with an emerging group of scholars calling for a new approach to research on racial/ethnic discrimination, inequality, and state ethnoracial categories.

Authors

• Ariela Schachter, Washington University in St. Louis

• René D. Flores, University of Chicago

• Neda Maghbouleh, University of Toronto