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Metro

exclusive details


‘DE-WHITING NY’: NORTH AFRICANS, MIDDLE EASTERNERS WOULD LOSE ‘WHITE’ STATUS
UNDER STATE BILL

By Rich Calder

Published May 25, 2024, 3:26 p.m. ET

A controversial bill being pushed by lefty legislators in Albany is trying to
make the Empire State less “white,” critics say.

The legislation, sponsored by Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas (D-Queens)
and Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Queens), would mandate state agencies and other
entities use separate categories for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) New
Yorkers when collecting demographics data – rather than relying on the US
Census, which classifies them under one “white” umbrella.

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The state Senate on Thursday voted unanimously to pass it, but González-Rojas’
version of the bill is still facing pushback in the Assembly.

5
A bill sponsored by Queens Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas (pictured) and
Queens Sen. Michael Gianaris would separate categories for Middle Eastern and
North African New Yorkers when collecting demographics data. Hans Pennink

Both pols argue “MENA” individuals don’t benefit from so-called “white
privilege” – and instead face discrimination daily by falsely being associated
with the 9/11 terror attacks.

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They and other supporters also insist the current system shuts MENA individuals
out of qualifying for minority-owned business grants, language programs and
other critical government aid and services by labeling them white.

“This bill isn’t anti-white – it’s pro-MENA,” González-Rojas told The Post.
“Data is power. It will give elected representatives and state agencies and
institutions the tools to better understand the unique and diverse needs of all
New Yorkers.”

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However, state Assemblyman Alec Brook-Kransy, a Brooklyn-based
Dem-turned-Republican, disagreed, saying he believes the endgame is “de-whiting”
New York.

“I am deeply concerned that this further separation of New Yorkers into
categories . . . may lead to more division,” he said. “If the desire is
inclusion, then why are we pushing a path of forcing legislation that will
clearly result in separation and further division in our society?”

State Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R-Staten Island) agreed, saying the bill stinks
of “hypocrisy.”

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5
Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) said MENA individuals shouldn’t be counted as
white “because they are not, in fact, white.” Hans Pennink
5
Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R-Staten Island) said the MENA bill fans “the flame
of racial division.” Paul Martinka

“They want to fight systemic exclusion with systemic exclusion,” Pirozzolo said.
“Instead of trying to help and uplift everyone, they are fanning the flame of
racial division.”

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The bill covers people of Egyptian, Moroccan, Libyan and other North African
descent, as well as those of Iranian, Palestinian, Israeli, Lebanese and other
Middle Eastern descent.

New York City is home to some of the largest Middle Eastern and North African
communities in the nation, including the “Little Egypt” enclave in Astoria,
which Gianaris and González-Rojas represent.

Their legislation is gaining steam in Albany while the Biden administration is
in the process of adding a “Middle Eastern or North African” identifier to
official documents like the US Census, picking up a plan first proposed by
former President Barack Obama but tabled by his successor Donald Trump.

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González-Rojas said the state can’t wait for the next Census in 2030 for MENA
individuals to be fairly counted.

5
Mayor Eric Adams (center) and Queens Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (far left)
celebrating Arab culture and heritage with guests at Gracie Mansion last year.
The U.S. Census currently counts Arab-Americans as being white. Benny
Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office

“This bill would cause this . . . to go into effect sooner,” González-Rojas
said. “These communities have been made invisible from this decades-old erasure
for too long, and each year only furthers that erasure.”

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Gianaris said he believes MENA individuals shouldn’t be counted as white
“because they are not, in fact, white.”

“This was obvious to every member of the Senate from both parties, which is why
[the bill] passed unanimously,” he said.

5
Assemblywoman González-Rojas said MENA New Yorkers shouldn’t have to wait until
the 2030 Census to be fairly counted under specific ethnic groups rather than be
classified “white.” Hans Pennink

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Gov. Hochul in 2021 signed into law similar legislation requiring New York to
“disaggregate” data it gathers for Asian-Americans into specific ethnic groups,
such as Vietnamese and Chinese.

A Hochul rep declined to comment on the MENA legislation beyond saying the
governor would “review it” if it passes both houses of the state Legislature.


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Filed under albany ,  astoria ,  joe biden ,  kathy hochul ,  michael gianaris
,  middle east ,  new york state assembly ,  new york state senate ,  north
africa ,  white people ,  5/25/24

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