<p>If you are from South Africa, you, sir, are Caucasian as far as college apps are concerned. I’m assuming you asked this question to try to see if you could benefit from Affirmative Action. Don’t take the chance; mark what you are truly are, which is white.</p>
<p>On another note…if you are from South Africa…how is it possible that your relatives “are fluent in one or more African dialects?” Do you mean South African dialects? Or did they self teach themselves?</p>
<p>Maybe they speak Afrikaans? It’s certainly possible that they speak a number of African languages or dialects. Again, to be clear, South Africans, including white South Africans, are “Africans.” But if they are white, they aren’t “African Americans,” as that term is understood and used in the United States.</p>
<p>OP, you should check “White”, then “Other” and then write “South African”.</p>
<p>When the OP says “South African dialects”, I think he means Afrikaans, especially if his family is White and from South Africa. Few White South Africans speak anything outside of English and Afrikaans. And if they do, that doesn’t make you African-American.</p>
<p>I know it’s hard but go by the guidelines. The last thing you want to do is lie, get into the college of your dreams, and be expelled for “lying” - even though you thought you did no wrong.</p>
<p>I disagree with the other posters. Talk to your counselor/career center adviser about the situation. They won’t judge you differently just because you have a hard time defining your demographics.</p>
<p>If I were a guidance counselor, I certainly would judge a white kid who wanted to know if he should put “African American.” Besides, if your guidance counselor tells you to put it, then the guidance counselor is incompetent. Really, this is not a close call in the slightest.</p>
<p>Still agreeing with Hunt on this one, carman788. </p>
<p>I do agree with you in regards to checking “White” and putting “South African” in the “Other” category. OP: Honestly, unless you are going to mention your race/ethnicity anywhere else (ex: your essays) you’re overthinking this. </p>
<p>The fact of the matter is, you are NOT African American.</p>
<p>I mean, I think it’s a legitimate question. It depends on how you frame it, but it’s still legitimate.</p>
<p>This country measures demographics by color AND origin, which creates a bit of confusion in areas like South Africa and parts of the Caribbean. For example, my parents are Black and of Trinidadian descent - and Trinidad is extremely diverse. Trinidad has a significant Indo-Trinidadian population (yes, people with descent from INDIA) and White-Trinidadian population. The people there don’t classify themselves as “Black” but they are Caribbean. South Africa is very similar - as it was also a British colony and it has a significant white minority and some people of Indian descent as well. </p>
<p>It’s just a confusing issue and it’s worth mentioning if you’re unsure. If I was the OP, I wouldn’t go up to my counselor and ask “Should I put that I’m African American?” but I would ask “What should I put for my race?” and explain my situation thereafter if the counselor doesn’t know already.</p>
<p>It may have been a legitimate question when this thread was begun, but honestly, the answer has been provided. The OP is white. His only choices are to put White or not answer the question. Again, if the counselor says anything different, he or she is incompetent.</p>
<p>The OP didn’t seem to completely trust the advice that he was given…I re-read what I wrote earlier and it seemed to imply that I wanted him to ask his counselor; let me correct myself by saying that I merely wanted to say that there’s no hurt in asking your counselor (even those some other posters disagreed)</p>