Copts don't identify as Arab; nor are they genetically Arab.jnwa wrote:I identify as Nigerian and Canadian and Black. The box says black/African american, i am the former but not the latter. If you wouldnt feel comfortable identifying yourself as black then dont. You can be Egyptian and black but you could also be Egyptian and Arab which is what it seems like. Like i said before, you have enough of a claim to put down black regardless but if youre doing it for the boost its cunty.Take_WhatsYours wrote:This is a fair and obvious criticism. To be honest, if I were on the streets and asked for my race I wouldn't say black; I would definitely say I'm a racial minority but I'd say I'm Egyptian. I have however identified as black in the past (on the UK Census) and think it is a reasonable self-description given how I am perceived. I can't say the same about white, the only other feasible alternative. And there is no "other" option.izha wrote:I have a feeling that OP doesn't, but still would like to have a boost.jnwa wrote:The URM boost is literally a box you check. If you identify as black, check the black box. They're not going to ancestry.com you.
So it's the box closest to my self-identification, although it doesn't perfectly capture it. I will clarify my heritage further on the diversity statement and expect to get a boost.
I should also note that many other people--e.g. East Indians--check boxes on applications that they wouldn't use to describe their race IRL. Moreover, most American immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa do not identify as black/AA--but rather, as Nigerian, etc--until they apply to law school. See http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewconte ... c_las_pubs
I think by checking black I'd be making an objectively reasonable claim that, subjectively, is definitely the best fit of the races listed. The schools would be left to determine the objective reasonableness, because I'm going to disclose my heritage to them.
Westerners want to draw a sharp, binary distinction between "black Egyptians" and "white Egyptians" but the truth is much more nuanced. Genetically, virtually all Egyptians have substantial Middle Eastern, South European, and sub-Saharan African ancestry. Hence Egyptians come in varied complexions. Look at the Wikipedia link for genetic history of Egypt if you're interested.
Plenty of "black" Americans can and do pass for Egyptian--particularly in the south--and not just in Nubia.
I understand your criticism that it's "cunty," given my personal identification. But I honestly think it--"black," not "technically African African"--is the closest box of the ones listed. Moreover, as the study I linked to shows, it is very common for immigrants from Africa to identify as black (as opposed to Nigerian, etc) for the first time on college applications.
I'd be more inclined to respect the system if there wasn't so much blatant gamesmanship going on. E.G. white people like "VanWinkle," with no indigenous American ancestry, checking "Hispanic" because a parent or grandparent was born in Latin America. I don't see how my situation is less defensible than that.