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Asians May Be Counted As Whites In California To Stem Demographic Tide

May 22, 2012

By THOMAS M. THORPE

SACRAMENTO, CA - According to new analysis of census data, the Latino population in California will surpass the number of whites sometime in the next 12 months,  To halt the shift, state officials have begun discussions to reclassify Asians as white in all state surveys and reports.

The proposal to reclassify Asians has the support of many policymakers in Sacramento and it would go far in salving a demographic slide that has many, at least privately, in a panic.

The top demographic expert in the state, William Pooling, said that massive immigration – primarily from Latin America – has made whites the human equivalent of an endangered species in California.  Once Latinos officially outnumber whites, said Pooling, a domino effect will occur.  “Whites are like deer in a forest,” said Pooling.  “When they hear a noise that spooks them, they turn tail and run.”  And this flight already has been occurring – out of California and into neighboring states.

According to U.S. Census data, approximately 150,000 native Californians leave the state each year.  Most of these persons are white, and the number of total whites fell by 37,000 last year.  Counting Asians as white would instantly add roughly 5 million people to the 21.4 million whites currently in the state.  Also, it would help the white population hold pace with the Latino population because the Asian population is growing, albeit not as fast as the Latino population.

According to projections, counting Asians as whites would delay the Latino-majority date by approximately 10 years.

Governor Jerry Brown has stated publicly that diversity – including from Latinos – strengthens California.  Nevertheless, Brown has recognized the need to maintain the number of whites.  “We need all of our great Californians for our state to get through this financial morass,” said Brown at a fundraising event in Irvine.  “Like every other group, white people have been part of the bedrock of this state.  From the Franciscan monks, to the Forty-Niners, to the early Silicon Valley tycoons whites have helped California prosper.”

The response from the Asian community has been mixed.  Sandra Y. Lee, president of the Californian Asian Women’s League feels the move might be a sign of progress.  “In a sense, this is a symbol of our community’s acceptance,” she said.  “Many of our daughters are choosing white husbands, so we literally are becoming more white.”

Michael X. Lieu, founder and president of the D.C.-based political action group “Asian Persuasion” takes exception to the California plan: “The stereotypes have been bad enough.  Now they want to take away our identity altogether.”  Lieu believes that certain subsets of Asians have a rightful claim to affirmative action and other diversity programs, and counting them as white will undermine such benefits.  “No one wants to be white anymore,” said Lieu.