Is it possible to convert to another ethnicity?

Question

Ethnicity is a cultural, learned behavior independent of race or national origin. Certain groups are given preference for being members of an ethnic minority. Is it possible to convert to another ethnicity to take advantage of ethnic monority status in school admissions and scholarships?

If someone was to learn Spanish, study Mexican culture and change their name could they be considered Hispanic? I know of third generation white Americans of Hispanic descent who claim minority status even though they are culturally American and don't speak a word of Spanish. Would converting to Hispanic be any different?

BTW - This is only a half-serious question. It started with a young man complaining about how he missed a National Merit Scholarship by 3 points but his Hispanic friend, who scored 30 points less, was still in the running because Hispanics are allowed to make a much lower score. The young man's solution was to declare that he was converting to Hispanic.

Answer 1

Glad it's a half serious question, as it really would be hard for you to just declare yourself to be of another ethnic background, merely because you wanted to be, and I think you really know that under it all.  But, all joking aside, if you do have even a trace of some minority blood in you, lately, you seem to be able to claim that minority as a part of your heritage.  That is what is happening with the Native Americans.  Look at Conn. and what they are trying to do in NY State with the gambling.  If you have a trace of Native American blood, all of a sudden you are a tribe, and if you are a tribe of Native Americans you don't fall under the same laws as most Americans, to make up for taking away the land.  I agree with that in principal, as with the Navajos and other big tribes, but this is getting a bit ridiculous with forming tribes to form casinos.  Or, as with you friend, a lot of people leaning towards their minority part of their ethnic background to get special treatment in schools.

But, no, if you are blond haired and blue eyed, it would be a little hard to say your family came from Nigeria.

Answer 2

no

Answer 3

ask Micheal Jackson

Answer 4

ummm... how bout no

Answer 5

The guy can claim whatever ethnicity he wants.  It's an affiliation with a particular social group that has no practical relationship with race.  He might have some 'splaining to do though if he is asked about his ethnicity once he claims it.

Answer 6

no...you are who you are...you'd just be considered as a person who knows about the hispanic culture..but then again there's michael jackson

Answer 7

I don't know that "conversion" is exactly the proper word, but it is possible to self-identify as a particular ethnicity and to be regarded by others as part of a particular ethnicity regardless of descent.  It involves effort on the part of the individual in question.

An example of this was/is seen in the African American community in the practice of "passing."  "Passing" is essentially when an African American "passes" as white, by virtue of physical appearance and behavior in order to gain access to rights and privileges (jobs, housing, education, etc.) they might or would not have as African Americans - thus it was more common before the passage of the Civil Rights act in the 1960s, though it does still occur.  

Similar situations occurred in the past or continue to occur - Indians during the British Raj, especially Anglo-Indians (those of mixed parentage) also attempted something similar to "passing."  Typically, it occurs among minority groups attempting to pass as members of the majority group.

Ethnic identity and how ethnicity is defined is fluid and complex.

Answer 8

It is possible to convert to a new religion, I never heard of anyone converting to an ethnicity. Be proud of who you are and study harder and apply for more scholarships. You can make it on your own. Hang in there. Good Luck.

Answer 9

Technically no. Ethnicity is defined by genetic affiliation with a particular racial grouping or sub-grouping. Cultural affiliation is, of course, entirely fluid.

Answer 10

yes, go to the UNECB (united nations ethnicity board) fill up form 612a-7 to convert your ethnicity from your original to a new one. form 612a-8 will revert you back to your old one.

Answer 11

You can't change who you are...I mean, you can't change who your parents and grandparents and so on are or were...

Answer 12

You can say you are Latino if you actully have a bit of Latino in you, but, if you were born Irish, or Canadian, or Hawaiian Islander and don't have any Latino ancestors, there is no way that you can say you are Latino without lying, but if you really were into the culture, you could say you were and expert on the ethnicity.