Multiracial individuals are those people living in the United States who claim two or more racial groups as part of their racial heritage. Racial groups may include African American, Asian, Caucasian/European American, American Indian, and Latino/a.

Historical Considerations

In 2000, for the first time in U.S. history, multiracial individuals were able to identify themselves as such in the U.S. Census. This event marked a substantial movement forward in recognizing the civil rights and social realities of multiracial people. The United States has a long history of racism and racial discrimination, and multiracial people have been affected by this history in a variety of ways. Historical examples include the use of the “One-Drop Rule” as a legal definition of racial heritage, as well as laws passed by state ...

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