Final answer:
The US measures race and ethnicity through the OMB Standards for the Classification of Federal Data. Five racial categories are used along with an additional ethnic category. Individuals can choose multiple races if relevant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The US measures race and ethnicity through a system known as the OMB (Office of Management and Budget) Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity. This system classifies people into five racial categories: White, Black or African American, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. Additionally, individuals can also identify as Hispanic or Latino, which is an ethnic category. It is important to note that race and ethnicity can be complex and can vary among different individuals and cultures.
For example, someone who identifies as both Black and Asian could choose to identify with one or both categories. The OMB standards allow individuals to select multiple races if they feel it accurately represents their background.
Learn more about Measurement of race and ethnicity