I am writing in reference to Cal Thomas’ July 17 column, “Nation’s double standard revealed,” where he writes that a CNN reporter “ludicrously called George Zimmerman a ‘white Hispanic’.”
In fact, that is a perfectly appropriate way to describe Zimmerman. It is also exactly the way the United States Census would classify him.
Since 2000, Question 5 of the U.S. Census has asked people to state whether they are “of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin.” Question 6 has then asked them to state their race. “White” and “black” are two of the possible responses. Zimmerman, like the famous baseball player Ted Williams (whose mother was of Mexican descent but whose skin was quite light), can very accurately be described as a “white Hispanic.”
Another famous baseball player, Sammy Sosa (who is of Dominican ancestry and whose skin is quite dark) is an example of someone who could accurately be described as “black Hispanic.”
Thomas should not let his political views interfere with his attention to the facts.
Loring Danforth, Lewiston
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