<p>PKSWMR76 what? how is it caucasian? so if the country is in asia, the people of that country are not asians? looolllllllllllllllllllllllll</p>
<hr>
<p>Man - I know I'm not a geo-genius but that is a whole lot of l's at the end of your LOL!</p>
<p>See arvandm's post above. People err when they think that Persians are Arabs or Asians (although I have never heard the latter). I am not sure about the Lebanese, but when you think of Persians you should think more along the lines of Greeks or Italians for similiar genetic and cultural heritage. Iranians have more in common with Europeans and Americans than Arabs when it comes to ethnicity (although there are diverse groups in that country, just as here). :-)</p>
<p>Also, the Caucasian race does include those of semitic background (Arabs are semitic). I am pretty sure that Arabs are listed as white in the US Census. PKSWMR76, the distribution of human races across the planet does not follow the borders of continents.</p>
<p>Spideygirl is right. You are technically Caucasian. But, if you might want to put down other and specify.</p>
<p>Most people have a misunderstanding of Caucasian and what it means. It does not mean "white". Caucasian means you are from the Caucasus region, which is the region that extends from Europe (even though Europeans are considered Anglos or whatever, they're Caucasian in the end) across until Asia (China/India and such) and south until Africa. If you are not in Asia, nor in Africa, you are Caucasian. Note the root "asian" in the word...it's because in the ole days, people considered these lands as part of Asia, much as people apparently still do today (as seen on this topic). However, Asians have distinct characteristics, and since people of the Cauc. region definitely arn't African, the race was deemed a new one, Caucasian. Egyptians are the really hard one, since they are located on the African continent (the middle east isn't really on a certain continent, but more Eurasia), however they originated from the present Caucasian region. </p>
<p>Therefor, put Caucasian. Or, you could put "other" or "decline to respond". But it'd be wrong to put anything else. Even "other" is misleading, because that box is used for people who are mixed, or who are native amer/aluetian or some other race that is not commonly seen on the application.</p>
<p>This is sort of like saying Americans want to put down "American" instead of Caucasian. Your country doesn't determine your race, your heritage does. Lebonese folks are decedents of the Caucasus region.</p>
<p>"I am pretty sure that Arabs are listed as white in the US Census."</p>
<p>Wow. That stinks. Good thing we don't face a whole lot of discrimination because we're so different haha.
Anyways, like the last poster said, I do believe "other" is for mixed people as well. I know it's not a big deal, but I put "Asian" on my first SAT, and after taking it I was mad at myself because there's so much competition amongst "Asians" and I'm simply not one of them...even if my country is technically in Asia.</p>
<p>And I agree, Iranian and Arab get mixed up a lot. It's a WHOLE different civilization you're talking about.</p>
<p>OMG you guys are not very smart for people who do well on the SATs, an Arab is a Caucasian person according to the US Census Bureau, and according to most college apps, I recommend putting other.</p>
<p>lol ok w/e idc...i would put other and specify</p>
<br>
<blockquote>
<p>I am pretty sure that Arabs are listed as white in the US Census<<</p>
</blockquote>
<br>
<p>I lived in Libya, an Arab country, for nearly four years, and I can tell you that it's not that simple. Saying that Arabs are white is like saying that Americans are white. Well yes, <em>some</em> of them are.</p>
<p>In Libya there are black Arabs and white Arabs just as there are black and white Americans (and for the same reason - the black Arabs are mostly descended from people enslaved by the white Arabs in ages gone by). However, some Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, the Arabs are predominantly white. I think the same is also true of Lebanon - not many black Arabs.</p>
<p>coureur-exactly, I'm from Yemen and they're are many Ethopian/Arabs who I would never classify as caucasian. However, they are caucasian as well because if u observe they're features and analyze there genetics they are closer to white people than they are to black people</p>
<p>Yea, I am Libyan (i think it's cool that you've lived in Libya). And all middle easterns and North Africans are considered white....It's a region...I advise you to put down other and if they leave a blank spot then write Lebanese. It's not that hard. But it is better than putting white down. I mean technically i could possibly be considered African American because Libya is in Africa, however people shouldn't cheat themselves, just write down the truth and hope for the best. You all act like if you're white you won't be accepted anywhere...yea, that's why the majority of people in most colleges are white...If you are right for the college then you will get in no amtter what the race...Good Luck</p>
<p>sheed, i had this discussion with a friend from Eritrea, and she maintains that all northern africans are black. she actually got in a heated fight with one of her Nigerian friends about it.</p>
<p>Eritrea isn't norther Africa</p>
<p>Northern Africa = Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan</p>
<p>eritrea is right next to sudan and right below saudi arabia...</p>
<p>but i'm no expert, so maybe it isn't northern africa...</p>
<p>anyways, we were all chatting and our friend from nigeria said that northern africans (eritreans included) were not really black. my eritrean friend got really upset and cited all these reasons why they were black (i can't remember them right now)</p>
<p>i think it is all a matter of opinion... i also know a sudanese girl who put black on all her college applications, joined the black student association at school and has never ever considered herself caucasian...</p>
<p>Uh, Sheed30, I'm Sudanese American and I am NOT white...I don't know what you've been taught, by my parents always told me that I am black. And like hotpiece's friend, I put black on my college applications, I am a part of the Black Student Union at my school, and I have never and will never consider myself white.</p>
<p>Arabs are caucasoids</p>
<p>You can't fill in Lebanese as your race. That's your nationality, not a race. </p>
<p>Like I said before, you could be an albino and live in Somalia, but you would still be Caucasian. You could be 100% black and live in Iceland, you'd still be African. Race is based on your DESCENT. Arab region people, for the most part, are Caucasian. Some, however, migrated from the heart of Africa. Then, they are African. If you don't know, look down at your arm: if it's not heavily pigmented, you're Caucasian. You're not white, black, pink, orange, or green. You're not Lebanese, American, Sudanese, or Egyptian. You are CAUCASIAN.</p>
<p>Is it really such a bad thing? If you're that worried about putting Caucasian down, don't put down anything. And I know this will really p*** you off, but most fair-skinned Arabs are considered white. Yes, I know it breaks that world's heart to think they might have something in common with their neighbor. But unless they came from Africa, are Native American, or Asian, or whatever, they're a majority of the time white.
And as previous posters said, it's your grades, not your ethnicity, that will get you into college. </p>
<p>...this is why there are so many wars. Stupid.</p>
<p>COUREUR WROTE: "I lived in Libya, an Arab country, for nearly four years, and I can tell you that it's not that simple. Saying that Arabs are white is like saying that Americans are white. Well yes, <em>some</em> of them are.</p>
<p>In Libya there are black Arabs and white Arabs just as there are black and white Americans (and for the same reason - the black Arabs are mostly descended from people enslaved by the white Arabs in ages gone by). However, some Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, the Arabs are predominantly white. I think the same is also true of Lebanon - not many black Arabs."</p>
<hr>
<p>I did qualify my statement by adding that the countries I was discussing (Iran and the US) both have diverse populations. However, as SHOEBOX clarified, if you live in an Arab country, or the United States, and your ancesters' race is African, then your race is African. Arabs and Europeans (if they are not transplanted from another place) are predominently Caucasians, although of course other races live there as well. </p>
<p>In the US the majority of us no longer live in the Caucasian region. but we are still Caucasians. If a person from Lebanon was of African decent, then their race would be African.</p>
<p>It really isn't always about the color of your skin, either. While it is less likely, Caucasians (especially from India) can be darker than lighter skinned Africans.</p>
<p>It's all very interesting, really. Some day, with modern transportation and a global economy, there may no longer be different races. But for now, if you wish to answer the race question on college apps (and you are from a family which is Lebanese - and not from decended from somewhere else), then I would check the "Caucasian" box.</p>
<p>Well, I'm 100% Lebanese and I put myself down on commonapp as Caucasian/White...</p>
<p>The whole thing with regard to ethnicity and the various Arab nation-states is a tricky thing.</p>
<p>First of all, Arabs are caucasoids (just as Northern Indians are also caucasoids) - however, that doesn't equate with being "white."</p>
<p>Technically (geographically), Arabs are "Asians" - just as Indians, Pakistanis, East Russians, etc. are Asians (they are caucasoid Asians as opposed to mongoloid Asians).</p>
<p>Lebanese is a nationality, but it can also be seen as an ethnicity (for those who deem that the various Arab-states have developed their own particular culture, etc.), tho, those who argue for a Pan-Arab state would argue that there isn't much difference and that the ethnicity is Arab.</p>
<p>I would suggest avoiding this whole discussion by checking "other" and writing in "Lebanese". Let the adcoms classify you the way they want.</p>