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History counts: A comparative analysis of racial/color categorization in US and Brazilian censuses

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  • Nobles, M.

Abstract

Categories of race (ethnicity, color, or both) have appeared and continue to appear in the demographic censuses of numerous countries, including the United States and Brazil. Until recently, such categorization had largely escaped critical scrutiny, being viewed and treated as a technical procedure requiring little conceptual clarity or historical explanation. Recent political developments and methodological changes, in US censuses especially, have engendered a critical reexamination of both the comparative and the historical dimensions of categorization. The author presents a comparative analysis of the histories of racial/color categorization in American and Brazilian censuses and shows that racial (and color) categories have appeared in these censuses because of shifting ideas about race and the enduring power of these ideas as organizers of political, economic, and social life in both countries. These categories have not appeared simply as demographic markers. The author demonstrates that censuses are instruments at a state's disposal and are not simply detached registers of population and performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Nobles, M., 2000. "History counts: A comparative analysis of racial/color categorization in US and Brazilian censuses," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 90(11), pages 1738-1745.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2000:90:11:1738-1745_3
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    Cited by:

    1. Hyun Song Lee, 2010. "Change in the Singular Racial Concept of American Society," International Area Studies Review, Center for International Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, vol. 13(3), pages 51-72, September.
    2. Gagnon, A.J. & Zimbeck, M. & Zeitlin, J., 2009. "Migration to western industrialised countries and perinatal health: A systematic review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(6), pages 934-946, September.
    3. Dirk Jacobs & Andrea Rea, 2006. "Construction and Import of Ethnic Categorisations: “Allochthones” in The Netherlands and Belgium," Working Papers 2006.68, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    4. Simielli, Lara, 2023. "Students' access to qualified teachers is unequal, but how much? Measuring gaps and trends in Brazil," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    5. Jacobs, Dirk & Rea, Andrea, 2006. "Construction and Import of Ethnic Categorisations: 'Allochthones' in The Netherlands and Belgium," Knowledge, Technology, Human Capital Working Papers 12103, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    6. Jerônimo Muniz & Stanley R. Bailey, 2022. "Does race response shift impact racial inequality?," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 47(30), pages 935-966.

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