Anonymous wrote:My husband and I immigrated here from Egypt when I was pregnant with our son, in 1996. We're light skinned and many who don't know us would never suspect our son was anything but your typical white DC-area high-achiever; however, we speak Arabic at home and visit Egypt often, and we are very in touch with our routes. Our son is thinking of applying for a substantial scholarship billed for "African-American young men." He is an African-American, however we assume the scholarship was intended for black students, not those who are from Africa. Before we inquire as to his eligibility, do you think he should be able to procure the scholarship?

You knew the answer before you posed the question. At any time in his life, has your son ever identified himself as Black?

People from North Africa and the Middle East are considered white for census purposes and for every other. You know that it is disingenuous and dishonest for your son to apply as African American, OP.

-Fellow "light-skinned" Egyptian American

This person is spot on. N. African countries...Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, etc. are not the origins of 'black' people. It says something like: Peoples indigenous the sub-saharan parts of Africa. AA, is probably the misnomer. The dutch-blooded kids from S. Africa, Zimbabwe, etc. don't qualify.

People from North Africa and the Middle East are considered white for census purposes and for every other. You know that it is disingenuous and dishonest for your son to apply as African American, OP.

-Fellow "light-skinned" Egyptian American

Does your son identify as AA? Does he intend to identify as such exclusiVery in the future? If yes to both, then apply, otherwise I think it is disengenuos to do so. I am black FWIW.

Anonymous wrote:lol, this question comes up every year. No, the white south african youngster is not eligible, nor is your son, but if you want to teach him to lie, then that's your prerogative as a parent
what does his high school transcript and SAT registration identify him to be?
If he misidentifies on this college application he may have his admission revoked, even if already enrolled
Is it worth it?

You are full of BS. What makes you so sure OP's son is not eligible?

lol, this question comes up every year. No, the white south african youngster is not eligible, nor is your son, but if you want to teach him to lie, then that's your prerogative as a parent
what does his high school transcript and SAT registration identify him to be?
If he misidentifies on this college application he may have his admission revoked, even if already enrolled
Is it worth it?

Anonymous wrote:In case you're wondering, not all AA's live in inner-cities.

Ya, the idea that AA=inner city, poor, needs scholarship, etc. is so freakin' offensive I don't even know where to begin.

In case you're wondering, not all AA's live in inner-cities.

If scholarship is open to AA then, by definition, your S qualifies. It's not up to you to decide whether the scholarship is for inner city AA kids or not. As long as your son is honest on his application, go for it. Good luck.

If it's a school giving out the scholarship, go for it, if it's an independent organization, investigate their work. If they strive to help inner-city AA kids, I wouldn't apply. If they don't have any specific ties, then there's no reason your kid isn't elibible.

First you need to learn you are in touch with your roots, not routes. Then you need to talk to your son about this. If get got the scholarship would he feel guilty about taking it away from an inner city AA kid who could have used it more. This actually happened to a friend mine who slide into Harvard using a Castillian last name. He was more white and wealthy than I will ever be. Once he arrived, Mecha was at his door. It was rather awkward. Then talk to the school and ask for their honest opinion.

My husband and I immigrated here from Egypt when I was pregnant with our son, in 1996. We're light skinned and many who don't know us would never suspect our son was anything but your typical white DC-area high-achiever; however, we speak Arabic at home and visit Egypt often, and we are very in touch with our routes. Our son is thinking of applying for a substantial scholarship billed for "African-American young men." He is an African-American, however we assume the scholarship was intended for black students, not those who are from Africa. Before we inquire as to his eligibility, do you think he should be able to procure the scholarship?