Different racial groups have sharply unequal ranges of identity choice

Evidence

These categories are, in turn, socially and politically defined and have varying degrees of advantage or stigma attached to them (Nagel, 1994). Moreover, the range of choices available to particular individuals and groups varies widely. A white American may have a wide range of ethnic options from which to choose, both hyphenated and/or hybrid. An African-American, in contrast, is confronted with essentially one ethnic choice - black; irrespective of any preferred ethnic (or other) alternatives they might wish to employ. — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 941 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Minority groups differ in whether they equate American identity with whiteness — Neda Maghbouleh, The Limits of Whiteness: Iranian…, 1496; Ethnic identity choices are constrained by socially defined categories carrying unequal advantage — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 941; Race’s weight is layered and unequally borne across differently constituted strata (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• White Americans have many ethnic identity options while African-Americans have essentially one #exemplifies (0.95) — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 941