Diaspora Realities: Diaspora Realities: Afrodescendants in the Afrodescendants in the

Americas according to the 2000 Americas according to the 2000 Census RoundCensus Round

Prof. Marcelo Paixão Prof. Marcelo Paixão

ObjectiveObjective To provide an overview on the production To provide an overview on the production

of demographic indicators on of demographic indicators on Afrodescendant population, in the Afrodescendant population, in the American countries, during the 2000 American countries, during the 2000 Census RoundCensus Round

Source of informationSource of information National CensusNational Census National Sample Household Survey (National Sample Household Survey (EncuestasEncuestas) )

were used, when the national Census did not were used, when the national Census did not contain information on Afrodescendants, but the contain information on Afrodescendants, but the Survey didSurvey did

Afrodescendant populationAfrodescendant population

Sub-Saharan African ancestry Sub-Saharan African ancestry  Mostly originated by the African Diaspora Mostly originated by the African Diaspora

during the period of the Trans-Atlantic during the period of the Trans-Atlantic slave tradeslave trade

Mestizos or Mixed, who can be culturally Mestizos or Mixed, who can be culturally or physically identified with this or physically identified with this demographic group, were includeddemographic group, were included

The use of demographic data The use of demographic data collection systemcollection system

Can be considered a recent fact (20Can be considered a recent fact (20thth century) century)

Both in academic researches or Both in academic researches or policy formulationpolicy formulation

Data on Data on Afrodescendant populationAfrodescendant population

Morning (2005:6-7), based on Rallu, Piche & Morning (2005:6-7), based on Rallu, Piche & Simon, appointed 4 reasons for collecting or not Simon, appointed 4 reasons for collecting or not ethnic and racial dimension in demographic ethnic and racial dimension in demographic surveys:surveys:

1.1.Collecting for political control;Collecting for political control;2.2.Not collecting in the name of national Not collecting in the name of national

integration;integration;3.3.Strengthening of the discourse of Miscegenation Strengthening of the discourse of Miscegenation

((MestizajeMestizaje) within the population (in this case ) within the population (in this case either collecting or not); andeither collecting or not); and

4.4.Collecting for adopting Anti Discrimination or Collecting for adopting Anti Discrimination or Affirmative Action PoliciesAffirmative Action Policies

During the 19th centuryDuring the 19th century

Just a few national Census included Just a few national Census included information on ethnic/racial dimension or information on ethnic/racial dimension or on social condition (free or enslaved):on social condition (free or enslaved):

Uruguay in 1852;Uruguay in 1852; Peru in 1876;Peru in 1876; Argentina in 1887;Argentina in 1887; Brazil in 1872 and 1890;Brazil in 1872 and 1890; Cuba and Puerto Rico in 1899.Cuba and Puerto Rico in 1899.

In the 20th centuryIn the 20th century

In Latin America, the trend was that the ethnic/racial In Latin America, the trend was that the ethnic/racial variable simply disappeared from Census variable simply disappeared from Census questionnaires, due to the strategies of local elites to questionnaires, due to the strategies of local elites to build a project of Nation-State, ideologically linked to build a project of Nation-State, ideologically linked to Europeanization or Miscegenation (Europeanization or Miscegenation (MestizajeMestizaje))

According to According to Andrews (2007), iAndrews (2007), in Latin America, just two n Latin America, just two of the national census realized in the first three decades of the national census realized in the first three decades of the 20of the 20thth century contained ethnic/racial variables: century contained ethnic/racial variables:

Panama (1909); and Panama (1909); and Colombia (1912).Colombia (1912).

Since the 1980s, Latin American countries Since the 1980s, Latin American countries returned to incorporate ethnic / racial variable in returned to incorporate ethnic / racial variable in

the Census questionnairesthe Census questionnaires

1980s: Brazil and Cuba1980s: Brazil and Cuba 1990s: Colombia1990s: Colombia 2000s: Costa Rica; Ecuador; Guatemala; 2000s: Costa Rica; Ecuador; Guatemala;

Honduras; and NicaraguaHonduras; and Nicaragua

In the last three cases, just incorporating the In the last three cases, just incorporating the belonging to a ethnic group (Garifuna or Creole)belonging to a ethnic group (Garifuna or Creole)

In the 2000 Census RoundIn the 2000 Census Round

In the American Hemisphere, 22 national In the American Hemisphere, 22 national questionnaires incorporated a question on the questionnaires incorporated a question on the ethnic/racial/color belonging of the respondents. ethnic/racial/color belonging of the respondents.

9 were Latin American countries: 9 were Latin American countries: Brazil; Costa Rica; Colombia; Cuba; Ecuador; El Brazil; Costa Rica; Colombia; Cuba; Ecuador; El

Salvador; Honduras; Guatemala; Nicaragua; and Salvador; Honduras; Guatemala; Nicaragua; and Puerto Rico Puerto Rico

Country Census Year Ethnic / Race Question Answer Options:

Anguilla 2001 To what ethnic/racial group

does ... belong?

African, Negro, Black / Amerindian, Carib / East Indian / Caucasian, White / Chinese, Oriental / Syrian, Lebanese /

Mixed / Others – specify / NS

Belize 2000 To what ethnic group do

you/does ... belong?

Black, African / Caucasian, White / Chinese / Creole / East Indian / Garifuna / Maya Ketchi / Maya Mopan / Maya

Yucatec / Mennonite / Mestizo / Spanish / Other – specify / NS

Bermuda 2000 To which racial group do you

belong? Black / Black and White / Black and Other / White / White

and Other / Asian / Other Race / NS Brazil 2000 A sua cor ou raça é? Branca / Preta / Amarela / Parda / Indígena

Canada 2001

Is this person an Aboriginal person, that is, North

American Indian, Métis or Inuit (Eskimo)? / Is this

person? (Question 18 and 19)

North American Indian / Métis / Inuit (Eskimo) - White / Chinese / South Asian / Black / Filipino / Latin American /

Southeast Asian / Arab / West Asian / Japanese / Korean / Other – specify

Colombia 2005

¿De acuerdo con su CULTURA, PUEBLO o

RASGOS FÍSICOS, ... es o se reconoce como:

Indígena? (¿A cuál pueblo pertenece?) / Rom? / Raizal del Archipiélago de San Andrés y Providencia? / Palanquero

de San Basílio? / Negro (a), Mulato (a) o Afrodescendiente? / Ninguno de los anteriores?

Costa Rica 2000 Pertence ___ a la cultura? Indigena / Afrocostarricensse o Negra / China / Ninguna de

las anteriores Cuba 2000 ¿Cuál es el color de piel? Blanco / Negro / Mestizo o Mulato

El Salvador 2007 ¿Es Usted? a) Blanco / Mestizo (mescla de blanco con indígena) /

Indígena (responde b) / Negro (de raza) / Otro - b) Lenca; Kakawira (cacaopera); Nahua; Pipil; Otro (especifique)

Ecuador 2001 Como se considera? Indígena (A qué nacionalidad indígena o pueblo indígena

pertenece?) / Negro (Afro-ecuatoriano) / Mestizo / Mulato / Blanco / Otro

Guatemala 2002 ¿A qué grupo étnico (pueblo)

pertenece? Maya (22 opciones) / Xincas / Garífunas / Ladino / Ninguno

/ Otros

Source: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/sources/census/censusquest.htm

Country Census Year Ethnic / Race Question Answer Options:

Guyana 2002 To which ethnic group do you

belong? African, Black / Amerindian / East Indian / Chinese / Mixed / Portuguese / White / Don’t know, Not stated/ Other – specify

Honduras 2000 ¿A qué grupo poblacional

pertenece? Garífuna / Negro Inglés / Tolupan / Pech (Paya) / Misquita / Lenca /

Tawohka (Sumo) / Chorti / Otro

Jamaica 2001 To which race or ethnic group would

you say you/..... belong(s)? Black / Chinese / Mixed / East Indian / White / Other / NS

Nicaragua 2005 A cuál de los siguientes pueblos

indígenas o etnias pertenece:

Rama / Garífuna / Mayangna-Sumu / Miskitu / Ulwa / Creole (Kreol) / Mestizo de la Costa Caribe / Xiu-Sutiava / Nahoa-Nicaracao /

Chorotega-Nahua-Mange / Cacaopera-Matagalpa / Otro / No Sabe

Puerto Rico (USA territory)

2000 What is your race? Mark one or more races to indicate what you

consider yourself to be.

White / Black, Afro-American or Negro / American Indian or Alaska Native (print name of enrolled or the principal tribe) / Asian Indian / Chinese / Filipino / Japanese / Korean / Vietnamese / Other Asian

(print race) / Native Hawaiian / Guamanian or Chamororro / Samoan / Other Pacific Island (print race) / Other Race (print race)

Saint Lucia 2001 To what ethnic, racial or national group do you think … belongs?

African Descent, Negro, Black / Indigenous People (Amerindian, Carib) / East Indian / Chinese / Portuguese / Syrian, Lebanese / White,

Caucasian / Mixed / Other – specify / NS

Suriname 2003 To which ethnic group does this

person belong according to himself/herself?

Indigenous, Amerindian / Maroon, Bushnegro / Creole / Hindostani / Javanese/ Chinese / Caucasian, White / Mixed / Other / Don’t know, no

answer Trinidad &

Tobago 2000

To which ethnic group does … belong?

African / Indian / Chinese / Syrian, Lebanese / Caucasian / Mixed / Other Ethnic Group / NS

Turks and Caicos Islands (GB territory)

2001 To what ethnic or racial group does

… belong? African, Negro, Black / White / East Indian / Mixed (state 2 main ethnic

types)/ Other

USA and US Virgin Islands

2000

Are you Spanish/Hispanic/Latino? What is your race? Mark one or more races to indicate what you

consider yourself to be. (question 5 and 6)

a) If Yes (Mexican, Mexican-American, Chicano / Puerto Rican / Cuban / Other Spanish, Hispanic / Latino (print group) – b) White /

Black, African American or Negro / American Indian or Alaska Native [print name of enrolled or principal tribe] / Asian Indian / Native

Hawaiian / Guamanian or Chamorro / Chinese / Filipino / Samoan / Other Pacific Islander [print race] / Korean / Vietnamese / Other Asian

[print race] / Some other race [print race]

American Countries incorporating an Ethnic/Race American Countries incorporating an Ethnic/Race question in the National Sample Household question in the National Sample Household

Surveys, but not in the CensusSurveys, but not in the Census

Source: http://www.inei.gob.pe/ - http://www.ine.gub.uy/

Country Census

Year Ethnic / Race

Question Answer Options:

Peru 2000

¿Por sus antepasados y de acuerdo a sus costumbres Ud. se considera?

De origen mestizo / De origen Quechua / De origen Aymara / Indígena de Amazónia / De origen Negro, Mulato o Zambo / Otro

Uruguay 2006 ¿Cree tener ascendencia?

Afro o negra / Amarilla / Blanca / Indígena / Otro / No Sabe

The types of question can be The types of question can be summarised in 4 groupssummarised in 4 groups

1.1. AncestryAncestry

2.2. Culture (including ethnic group, Culture (including ethnic group, population group, nationality, culture)population group, nationality, culture)

3.3. Phenotypic traits (skin color, race)Phenotypic traits (skin color, race)

4.4. Feeling of Belonging (without mentioning Feeling of Belonging (without mentioning “ethnic group” or “race”)“ethnic group” or “race”)

Observing the response optionsObserving the response options

Can be identified 20 terms, according to Can be identified 20 terms, according to socioeconomic characteristics, cultural socioeconomic characteristics, cultural background and local reality of the Diasporabackground and local reality of the Diaspora

Some terms are linked to physical traits (Black, Some terms are linked to physical traits (Black, mixed, etc.)mixed, etc.)

Risk of misunderstanding (whitening of richer people) and Risk of misunderstanding (whitening of richer people) and ambiguity (ambiguity (pardopardo in Brazil) in Brazil)

Some are linked to ethnic characteristics, like Some are linked to ethnic characteristics, like language, with no reference to physical traitslanguage, with no reference to physical traits

Risk of excluding Afrodescendants not linked to a specific Risk of excluding Afrodescendants not linked to a specific cultural backgroundcultural background

Coherence between Types of Question and Coherence between Types of Question and Response Options is not always guaranteedResponse Options is not always guaranteed

In Belize, Costa Rica, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago, In Belize, Costa Rica, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago, the question makes reference to ethnic or cultural the question makes reference to ethnic or cultural characteristics, while the response options make characteristics, while the response options make reference to racial definitions (physical traits): reference to racial definitions (physical traits):

Black, African (Belize)Black, African (Belize)Afrocostarricense or negra (Costa Rica)Afrocostarricense or negra (Costa Rica)African, Negro, Black (Guyana)African, Negro, Black (Guyana)African, Mixed (Trinidad & Tobago) African, Mixed (Trinidad & Tobago) In Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and In Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and

Nicaragua, the respondent cannot point out his/her Nicaragua, the respondent cannot point out his/her belonging to the hegemonic group (as in the belonging to the hegemonic group (as in the questionnaires just “minority” groups are listed)questionnaires just “minority” groups are listed)

Can the type of question affect the Can the type of question affect the response options?response options?

In 1993 Colombia Census, it was asked: “Do you belong to a ethnic In 1993 Colombia Census, it was asked: “Do you belong to a ethnic group, indigenous group or a black community? If yes, which one?”group, indigenous group or a black community? If yes, which one?”

Just 1,5% declared to belong to a black communityJust 1,5% declared to belong to a black community In 2005 Census, the Afro presence in Colombia grown to 10,6%In 2005 Census, the Afro presence in Colombia grown to 10,6%

SUBESTIMATION OF AFROCOLOMBIAN IN THE FIRST CENSUS SUBESTIMATION OF AFROCOLOMBIAN IN THE FIRST CENSUS CAUSED BY THE TYPE OF QUESTIONCAUSED BY THE TYPE OF QUESTION

In Uruguay, in 1997 In Uruguay, in 1997 Encuesta de Condición de Hogares Encuesta de Condición de Hogares (ECH), it (ECH), it was asked: “To which race do you believe to belong?” The was asked: “To which race do you believe to belong?” The response options were: Asian; White; Indigenous, Black or Mixed.response options were: Asian; White; Indigenous, Black or Mixed.

If Mixed, it was asked: “Which race do you think you “If Mixed, it was asked: “Which race do you think you “have blood”have blood”?” ?” Some response options as before.Some response options as before.

The result was 5,9% Afro-UruguayansThe result was 5,9% Afro-Uruguayans In 2006 In 2006 EncuestaEncuesta, the question was: “Do you believe to have , the question was: “Do you believe to have

ascendancy?” ascendancy?” The result was 9,1% Afro-UruguayansThe result was 9,1% Afro-Uruguayans

Afrodescendant presence in the Americas Afrodescendant presence in the Americas according to 2000 Census Roundaccording to 2000 Census Round

Country Census Year Afrodescendant Groups Names Afrodescendant

Population Afro on the Total

Population Anguilla 2001 African, Negro, Black 10.296 90,1 % Belize 2000 Black, African, Garífuna 72.502 31,2 %

Bermuda 2000 Black, Black and White, Black and Others 37.056 59,7 % Brazil 2000 Preto, Pardo 75.872.424 44,7 %

Canada 2001 Black 783.795 2,5 %

Colombia 2005 Raizal Del Arquipélago de San Andres y

Providencia, Palenqueros de San Basílio, Negro, Mulato o Afrodescendiente

4.311.757 10,6 %

Costa Rica 2000 Afrocostarricense o Negra 72.784 2,0 % Cuba 2000 Negro, Mestizo, Mulato 3.905.817 34,9 %

El Salvador 2007 Negro (de raza) 5.744 0,1 % Ecuador 2001 Negro (Afro-equatoriano); Mulato 604.009 5,0 %

Guatemala 2002 Garífuna 5.040 0,04 % Guyana 2002 African, Negro, Black 221.680 29,9 %

Honduras 2000 Garífuna, Negro Inglês 58.818 1,0 % Jamaica 2001 Black, Mixed 2.539.834 97,4 %

Nicaragua 2005 Garífuna, Creole 23.161 0,5 %

Peru (*) 2001

(Encuesta) Origem Negra, Mulato, Zambo 293.260 1,1 %

Puerto Rico 2000 Black, Afroamerican, Negro 302.933 8,3 % Saint Lucia 2001 Afro descendant, Negro, Black 156.733 82,5 % Suriname 2003 Maroon-Bushnegro, Creole 133.700 31,0 %

Trinidad & Tobago 2000 African, Mixed 418.268 37,5 % Turks and Caicos

Islands 2001 African, Negro, Black 17.422 87,6 %

Uruguay 2006

(Encuesta) Ascendência Afro o Negra 278.829 9,1 %

USA 2000 Black, Black and White, Black and Others 36.213.467 12,9 % Total 126.339.329 20,5 %

We can list 4 situations:We can list 4 situations:1.1. The Afrodescendants are the majority of the population:The Afrodescendants are the majority of the population: Anguilla (90,1%);Anguilla (90,1%); Bermudas (59,7%); Bermudas (59,7%); Jamaica (97,4%);Jamaica (97,4%); Saint Lucia (82,5%); andSaint Lucia (82,5%); and Turks & Caicos Islands (87,6%).Turks & Caicos Islands (87,6%).

2.2. The Afrodescendants are a minority, but over 20% of The Afrodescendants are a minority, but over 20% of the total population:the total population:

Belize (31,4%);Belize (31,4%); Brazil (44,7%);Brazil (44,7%); Cuba (34,9%);Cuba (34,9%); Guyana (29,9%);Guyana (29,9%); Suriname (31%); andSuriname (31%); and Trinidad & Tobago (37,5%).Trinidad & Tobago (37,5%).

3.3. The presence of Afrodescendants is remarkable, but The presence of Afrodescendants is remarkable, but proportionally inferior to 20% of the population:proportionally inferior to 20% of the population:

Colombia (10,6%);Colombia (10,6%); Ecuador (5%);Ecuador (5%); Puerto Rico (8,3%);Puerto Rico (8,3%); USA (12,9%); andUSA (12,9%); and Uruguay (9,1%). Uruguay (9,1%).

4.4. Afrodescendants are less than 5% of the total Afrodescendants are less than 5% of the total population:population:

Costa Rica (2%);Costa Rica (2%); El Salvador (0,1%);El Salvador (0,1%); Guatemala (0,04%);Guatemala (0,04%); Honduras (2%);Honduras (2%); Nicaragua (0,5%); andNicaragua (0,5%); and Peru (1,1%). Peru (1,1%). In this last group the form how the question was done (Belonging In this last group the form how the question was done (Belonging

to a population or ethnic group) may have led to a subestimation of to a population or ethnic group) may have led to a subestimation of Afrodescendant presence in these countriesAfrodescendant presence in these countries

Expectation for the 2010 Census Expectation for the 2010 Census RoundRound

The countries, which have already introduced an The countries, which have already introduced an ethnic/racial dimension, will keep the question in the ethnic/racial dimension, will keep the question in the CensusCensus

The question will be introduced in the Census The question will be introduced in the Census questionnaires of:questionnaires of:

ArgentinaArgentinaBoliviaBoliviaPanamaPanamaParaguayParaguayVenezuela (Rep. Bol.) Venezuela (Rep. Bol.) UruguayUruguay Maybe in Bolivia, Chile and MexicoMaybe in Bolivia, Chile and Mexico

New possibilities for reflection on Ethnic/Racial New possibilities for reflection on Ethnic/Racial Composition of the American HemisphereComposition of the American Hemisphere

Brazilian Sources of InformationBrazilian Sources of Information In the past decades, Brazil has been improving In the past decades, Brazil has been improving

the number and quality of databases and the number and quality of databases and surveys capturing the racial dimensionsurveys capturing the racial dimension

The main source of information is the National The main source of information is the National Statistics Office: IBGEStatistics Office: IBGE

IBGE produces many surveys containing the IBGE produces many surveys containing the race/color variable: Census, National Household race/color variable: Census, National Household Sample Survey (PNAD), Monthly Employment Sample Survey (PNAD), Monthly Employment Survey (PME), Consumer Expenditure Survey Survey (PME), Consumer Expenditure Survey (POF), etc.(POF), etc.

Many databases and surveys produced by other Many databases and surveys produced by other government agencies have included the race/color government agencies have included the race/color

variable in recent yearsvariable in recent years

Ministry of Health – DATASUS/MS: the Mortality Ministry of Health – DATASUS/MS: the Mortality Information System (SIM); the Information System (SIM); the Live Birth Information Live Birth Information System System (SINASC); and the (SINASC); and the National Reporting National Reporting Information System Information System (SINAN)(SINAN)

Ministry of Education (MEC) – INEP/MEC: the National Ministry of Education (MEC) – INEP/MEC: the National System for Evaluation of the Basic Education System for Evaluation of the Basic Education (SAEB); the National Secondary Education Examination (SAEB); the National Secondary Education Examination (ENEM); and the School Census (Censo Escolar)(ENEM); and the School Census (Censo Escolar)

Ministry of Labor – MT: the Annual Report of Social Ministry of Labor – MT: the Annual Report of Social Information (RAIS) and the General Register of Information (RAIS) and the General Register of Employment and Unemployment (CAGED) Employment and Unemployment (CAGED)

Ministry of Social Development – MDS: Unified Ministry of Social Development – MDS: Unified Databases of Social Programmes (CADUNICO)Databases of Social Programmes (CADUNICO)