Chinese South Africans are now 'black'

South Africa's high court ruled yesterday that the country's 20,000 citizens of Chinese descent will now be considered legally "black." This means that they will now have access to the economic benefits of being a previously disadvantaged racial group, including affirmative action in employment and preferential status in bidding for contracts.

The Chinese community in South Africa dates back to the 19th century and like Indians and biracial people, the Chinese were classified as "colored" under apartheid-era racial laws. (Interestingly, the wealthier Japanese were considered white.) But since the end of white rule, their status has been unclear.

Patrick Chong, leader of the Chinese Association of South Africa explained:

As Chinese South Africans we were officially classified as 'Coloured' and suffered under the same discriminatory laws prior to 1994. The logical inference was thus that Chinese South Africans would automatically qualify for the same benefits as the 'Coloured' group, post-1994. This was not the case and Chinese South Africans suffered a second round of unfair discrimination.”

It's certainly a sign of how much South Africa has changed that minorities are going to court to be classified as black. If only the country would show this kind of generosity to more recent immigrants.