No problem in American society has been more chronic and vexing than that of race relations. Add to that the strains of demographic change caused by the immigration to the United States of millions leaving their countries of birth to seek a better life here. The resulting frictions and adjustments are the source of many important stories for journalists, and Census data is one of the best ways of measuring those changes.
However, the actual tallying of persons by race and ethnic origin has changed greatly over time, and the differences in definitions and methodology from one Census to the next can make it difficult to do accurate comparisons. One of those big changes in methodology is occurring with the 2000 Census, and it will require careful attention from those of us who the best advice I have now is, 'Stay tuned!'