<p>So, for the Common App, you can select more than one race/ethnicity - so I put two. African American and White. The reason for this is my father is Berber (which is to Morocco what Native American is to the United States) and my mother is an Irish immigrant. Throughout my life, I have identified as both, since I have very, very light skin, which is paler than most white people that it appears almost grey with yellow undertones (attractive, right?) but I have very coarse black hair, similar/identical to that of traditional "nappy" African hair. If I were to do nothing with my hair, I'd have an actual Afro. </p>
<p>I know there have been issues regarding the AA option on the common app, as it says "African American OR Black" but most of the time, that issue is from North African Arabs (Egyptians, Algerians, etc) who are trying to identify as African American. I was wondering if what I did was considered accurate, because people may see my selection as "half black, half white" (someone that looks like Obama, for instance) - rather than someone who looks like me. Thoughts?</p>
<p>Bump. Really want opinions. At other points in my life, when it came to official documents and whatnot, I’ve put “other” and usually just filled in Berber.</p>
<p>In my opinion you should put black but idk if colleges will see it that way</p>
<p>It’s a nonissue. You are half African and half European- it doesn’t matter how you look, or which specific group you belong to. I am half Asian and half caucasian with a bit of Native American thrown in, and I have the same weird hybrid look- the Asian bit doesn’t register at all unless I tell people.</p>
<p>But if you are unsure, putting ‘Other’ can’t go wrong, especially since that’s how you usually fill things out.</p>
<p>@Paintallthestuff - Yes, but in my case, Moroccans are usually regarded as white, according to the US Census. That’s why in my case, tribal heritage is important, unlike in your case, you are half Asian and half Caucasian, which is pretty clear cut, even if you don’t look like it.</p>
<p>As far as I know, North Americans are considered Caucasian… I don’t know if Berbers would be considered differently. I mean, Berbers obviously have native African blood that Moroccans (who are descended from immigrants) wouldn’t have… but you’re still technically from North Africa. Wow, that’s really a conundrum.
Maybe try calling someone? Or just put down African on the form, and if you get investigated explain your thought process and feign innocence :D</p>
<p>Berbers have Sub-Saharan African ancestry and are indigenous to Africa, correct? I really don’t understand how that can be considered white, but that’s an argument with the US Census.</p>
<p>I think you are over-thinking this. Nobody is going to penalize you for using basic geography and logic to discern your ethnicity. </p>
<p>In the end, it depends on what you consider yourself to be.</p>