North African and Middle Eastern populations in New York will no longer be rendered “invisible” in government recordkeeping, thanks to a new bill signed by NY Gov. Kathy Hochul. The legislation, signed on Friday, ends the state’s long-standing practice of categorizing individuals of Middle Eastern and North African descent as simply “white.” This significant change will ensure that individuals from these communities are accurately represented on official state applications and forms.
Recognizing Diversity
Under the new law, any state agency collecting demographic data will be required to include specific categories for various major MENA populations. For example, individuals of Egyptian descent will now have the option to identify as North African, while those of Israeli or Lebanese descent can identify as Middle Eastern. This shift aims to address the unique experiences faced by MENA populations related to bias, poverty, housing, healthcare, and other areas that have been overlooked in the past.
Support for Communities
Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate data for crafting effective public policy. By ensuring that Middle Eastern and North African communities are properly represented in state data collection, policymakers will be better equipped to identify ways to support these communities in the future. Proponents of the change believe that this shift will not only address biases in data collection but also open up opportunities for MENA business owners to participate in the state’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise program.
Legislative Action
The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Michael Gianaris and Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, both Democrats from Queens. González-Rojas highlighted the long-standing invisibility of MENA communities in data collection and stressed the importance of accounting for and representing these communities accurately. While the law is set to take effect in late April, certain state agencies will have two years to fully implement the changes required by the legislation.
In a broader context, the U.S. Census Bureau recently announced new response options for “Middle Eastern or North African” and “Hispanic or Latino” under the question of race and ethnicity. These changes are intended to improve the accuracy and usefulness of race and ethnicity data across the federal government, reflecting a broader recognition of the diverse populations that make up the American landscape.
This shift in data collection and recognition marks a significant step towards inclusivity and representation for North African and Middle Eastern communities in New York and beyond. Through these changes, policymakers and researchers will have a more comprehensive understanding of the needs and experiences of these diverse populations, leading to more targeted and effective public policy initiatives.
