No legitimate reason exists for identifying races and ethnicities -- but plenty of illegitimate reasons are around: gerrymandering of electoral districts; encouraging claims of "victimization"; racial considerations when drawing public school attendance zones; and more.
What if we stopped? What if the Federal Government simply stopped keeping records of color, race, and ethnic origin? Wouldn't we take a big step away from racial discrimination if we just stopped keeping records of race?
Also, keep in mind that there's a practical impediment to keeping records of race: the increasing population of people of mixed race. President Obama, Tiger Woods, and many others fall into this category. I remember my late grandmother, when she would see a mixed-race couple, saying with some disdain that "some day we'll all be café au lait." I tend to agree with her conclusion, but not her disdain.
So, is a person who is part "black," part "white," part Latino, and part Asian considered a "minority" for purposes of drawing school zones and Congressional Districts? What about "Native Americans"? What about Muslims -- Sunnis, Shi'ites, Caucasian or "black" converts? Are they entitled to some sort of protected status, or consideration when electoral boundaries are drawn?
Stop the madness. Just stop. No good can come from the government taking note of race or ethnicity.
No good can come from the government taking note of race or ethnicity.
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Ah, but you miss the point; goodness is not their goal. They thrive on dividing us and putting us at each others’ throats.