Anyone who has worked with census data in the past 40 years is familiar with the terms white (Hispanic) and white (non-Hispanic). That's just how data on race/ethnicity is captured and reported in the U.S. since the term Hispanic was added to the 1970 census.
Further, in regions of the U.S. where there are large numbers of black Hispanics (like Orlando or Miami), that's how it's habitually done, because you cannot assume that all "Hispanics" look racially similar. A black Dominican is just as Hispanic as a white Cuban. How things like this are reported in Florida differs substantively from how it is reported in Colorado, for instance, because Florida is home to a lot of Hispanics who are not white (not so true of Colorado or most of the west).
Actually, the current way in which race/ethnicity is captured and reported in the census data is kind of a pain in the ass, because it makes it really difficult to quantify and report on the number of Hispanics in a given community or neighborhood unless you do some analysis to separate out race from ethnicity. If you just look at race, you will get a totally different sense of the demographics of a community than if you look at race+ethnicity.
When it comes to planning and policy-making, you have to go to that next level, because having a large number of Hispanics in a community can equal high levels of ESL students, lots of Spanish-speakers, etc., which might change how you plan for particular outcomes.
Sorry...boring work talk.
So Black Hispanic or White Hispanic makes a difference to me up in Michigan? Planning for pacticular outcomes is exactly the reason here too.
Please read the bolded section in my post (which is quoted in your post). It matters, in terms of news and other statistical data reporting
IN FLORIDA, because we have a large number of both white and black Hispanics in our state, particularly in Dade County and in Orlando.
As far as Michigan goes, let me illustrate. If you have large populations of particular ethnic groups, than yes, ideally, this would influence planning, particularly as it regards schools, courts, social services, and law enforcement agencies. For instance, if your community has a large number of Somali refugees, wouldn't it be advisable to have translation services available to explain court protocols and proceedings, to ensure that you have the ability to properly Mirandize a non-English-speaking suspect, and to ensure that there are adequate slots in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for students who don't speak English very well?
Most African-Americans don't speak a Somali dialect, so knowing the specifics of the types and existence of specific ethnic groups in your area can be important. Further, if you've ever dealt with the Somali community, you might be aware that many Somalis are polygamist. It's probably good for schools, law enforcement, and the courts to be prepared to deal with that aspect of their culture.
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