We could simplify things by eliminating many of these categories. Anthropologically speaking, there are really only a few races (Caucasoid, Mongoloid, Negroid). Europeans, Mid-Easterners, fit into the Caucasoid type. Native Americans being descended from Asians, fit into the Mongoloid type, & Africans Negroid. These racial divisions are based on environmental factors, not cultural/political ones (& definitely not based on socio-economic factors). Mongoloid skin color & body types (being short, squat, etc) being best adapted to retain warmth in cold regions, while Negroid dark skin & body type (kinky hair, broad noses, taller, etc) are adaptations the heat of tropical environs. Current Anthropological paradigms are working hard to do away with these categories by questioning whether race really exists at all. As far as the other categories mentioned in the poll, these might be better categorized as ethnicities. While I find some aspects of these polls interesting, I also think that as a society we put far to much emphasis on such things as race. I don't intend to debate the issue, but will admit I believe many of these polls to be the product of the politically correct ramblings being spewed daily by our "well intentioned" media & professional politicians. Personally I'm getting weary of politicians reminding me each election year of what they've decided the "issues" to be (i.e., race, education, the economy). Obviously these are important, but I'd rather decide the context myself while staying focused on a number equally if not more important issues (constitution & an out of control activist judiciary branch that now attempts to make law instead of interpret it). As to my own make-up, I'm a mongrel from the Caucasoid grouping. In relation to the skewed results of this survey, you might find that some categories (i.e., Native American) are more popular. For example in my experience (which shall remain nameless
) I've found many individual "wanna-be" NA's. People of such persuasion may attempt to check more than one category, or an inaccurate category as they often desire that their Native pedigree be noticed.