Neither 'white’ nor ‘other,' Middle Eastern, North African NYers want their own box to check
As the legislative session speeds toward its end, New York state lawmakers are being urged to approve a measure carving out a separate racial category for Middle Eastern and North African residents, who for decades have been classified as "white" in most government analyses — which the measure's proponents say cloaks their distinct experience with bias crimes, poverty, housing and health care, among other issues.
“MENA communities across New York state remain underserved, exhibiting higher rates of language needs, housing insecurity, poverty, domestic abuse and health disparities,” according to the legislation. “Despite this, MENA individuals, organizations and businesses face difficulties when attempting to receive equity-based support due to their classification as white.”
The bill's advocates have argued that under the status quo, MENA communities are excluded from minority and women-owned business enterprise contracts with the government, and are not considered in state redistricting efforts meant to ensure equal representation.Rana Abdelhamid, the executive director of Malikah, a Queens-based anti-violence group for women and girls, said in many instances, people from MENA communities opted to check “other” instead of “white.
The bill cleared the state Senate in 2023. But its opposition in the Assembly includes Assemblymember Andrew Goodell, a Republican from western New York. Goodell said he has long opposed such disaggregation, which he argues is impractical and of limited value.
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