Recognition. Representation. Self-Identification. Why Black American Deserves Recognition

I am launching this petition to advocate for the recognition of Black American as an additional, voluntary self-identification option on federal government forms and demographic data collection instruments.

This initiative is rooted in a simple principle: People should have the opportunity to identify themselves accurately.

For generations, multigenerational Black Americans have built families, communities, institutions, and legacies in the United States. Many have parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and generations before them who were born and raised in this country.

Our ancestry, history, cultural development, and lived experiences are deeply connected to the United States.

Yet, when completing many demographic forms, individuals are presented with broad classifications that may not fully reflect how they identify.

For some Black Americans, the African designation does not adequately describe their personal identity, particularly when their family history has been rooted in the United States for generations.

This is a conversation about recognition, not division.

What This Initiative Is NOT About

Let me be absolutely clear:

This initiative is NOT intended to insult, disrespect, erase, or diminish African communities, African immigrants, Caribbean communities, Caucasian communities, or any other population.

We are not asking for existing identities to be eliminated or replaced.

We recognize that African ancestry is an important part of many people's histories and identities.

However, ancestral origins and personal identity are not necessarily interchangeable.

Someone should not have to surrender one aspect of their identity to have another recognized.

Black American deserves the opportunity to be recognized as an additional identity option.

What We Are Asking For

We respectfully call upon the Office of Management and Budget, the U.S. Census Bureau, and other relevant federal agencies to:

1. Consider adding Black American as a distinct, voluntary detailed self-identification option within federal demographic data collection standards and applicable questionnaires.

2. Preserve all existing racial, ethnic, national, and cultural identity classifications.

3. Allow individuals to select multiple applicable identities where appropriate.

4. Conduct meaningful public consultation with multigenerational Black American communities, historians, sociologists, demographic researchers, and other interested stakeholders.

5. Evaluate how more detailed identification could improve demographic research, public policy, and the understanding of population-specific outcomes.

6. Provide a transparent process through which members of the public can formally advocate for and participate in future revisions to federal demographic standards.

Why Your Signature Matters

This is about giving people a choice.

It is about acknowledging that Black Americans whose families have called this country home for generations may wish to identify specifically as Black American.

It is about ensuring that demographic representation has room for the identities and experiences of the people being counted.

We should be able to recognize our ancestry while also acknowledging the distinct identity, history, and culture that developed here in America.

We are not asking to be separated from anyone.

We are asking to be accurately represented.

Join the Movement

I invite individuals, families, community leaders, historians, educators, researchers, and organizations to support this initiative.

Sign this petition and share it with others who believe that Black American identity deserves an additional avenue for recognition.

Let's bring this conversation to the appropriate decision-makers and advocate for meaningful consideration.

Recognition is not replacement. Inclusion is not exclusion. Representation is not division.

Respectfully,

Jireh River Tyler
Founder, The Black American Recognition Initiative