Dreaded Questions

Okay, maybe the more appropriate term is annoying questions.  I'm not sure.  Today I received a phone call needing some information on Preston.  I had to "register" him so to speak.  I won't get into that right now though...maybe later.  The point is, we got to the part where they give you the little disclaimer that the state wants to know (since I'm sure people get mad about it) and then they asked if he was Hispanic.  I hate questions that try to fit people into some pre-defined category for statistics purposes.  I kind of paused and said, "Well, I guess yes technically.  My husband is from Argentina so I think he would be considered half Hispanic." I'm guessing she checked her little box and moved on. For me, it's a little more complicated.  I think in many people's mind being "Hispanic" means you're from Mexico, are probably here illegally, have tan skin and  don't speak English (or at least not very well).  For us, it's none of those.  My kids look much more Caucasian than Hispanic, Marcos was born in Argentina, lived in several different countries and since he came to the United States, was always here legally. Our children do understand Spanish (and speak it to some degree) but we both speak English very good (I mean well) ;)  But Marcos is very proud of his heritage and doesn't want part of our children dismissed from a checkbox answer.  So they'll probably think I'm crazy when I bring in my child after registering him as Hispanic.  I haven't had to deal with this a lot yet, but I'm sure I will once Dylan starts school.  Actually, I think Dylan was marked as Caucasian when we got his tonsils taken out, but not from anything I filled out.  They must've marked it themselves.  Marcos and I have talked about it a lot and still aren't sure what to do - check both boxes?  Check other?  Check Hispanic?  Check Caucasian?  I mean, even Obama who everyone talks about being black is really half black and half white.  I hate race and ethnicity questions for this very reason.  I'm not sure what this post is...just my venting about stupid things that shouldn't matter.  But it bugs me.  Enough said!