Why do I have to pick one ethnicity?

Question

I have parents of different ethnic groups; one is Angelo and the other is Mexican American. I refuse to answer the question that asks me to fill in one because I feel I am both. I have been told since I was a small boy to fill in one or the other depending on what it is for. If applying for a loan, for example, I've been told to put Angelo. If applying for an educational program to put of Mexican descent. I simply try to leave it blank but I have been told I have to pick one.

Answer 1

Great question. There are two ways to find the answer:
First, it's a vicious circle. In order to fight discrimination social groups must be distinguished from others. In this way social policies can generate equal opportunities. But if you keep underlining social group categories in all social settings then they will never disappear an so the need to fight discrimination carries on.
In second place, also as a means to fight racism, in the US there is the wrong idea that racial distinctions are unfair but ethnic ones are not. This could be right but nor necessarily. Race as well as ethnicity can be used as forms to discriminate others as long as there remains the belief that human groups must be separated using biological categories. Human differences exist, but they are basically cultural, which is why ethnic differences substituted race differences. But if ethnicity is culturally defined, then you must be allowed to make a cultural decision as to what cultural identity you feel the closest, which could simply be defined as "American". If you are not allowed to do so then your identity is being biologically defined, so you are actually being racially defined. Wherever you read "ethnicity" think "race". You will see there is no difference.

Answer 2

By law, you do not have to pick anything. Most demographics these days do provide the option of "mulitethic" or "other" or "decline to answer" and any of the above would be appropriate.

You may have been told to fill in that you are of Hispanic descent on educational programs by counselors as it puts you in a minority group and may assist you in getting into a certain college or getting financial aid. Whether or not you choose to do so is up to you. On a loan application, you can just decline to answer. The person taking the application for a home loan , the does have to guess from your appearance as to what your ethnicity is, but that would be the only case where that would happen.

Answer 3

You are quite right. You should not have to answer that question at all. I never check those boxes if I can get away with it. And it's not because I'm ashamed of who I am or my ethnicity. I just don't believe that race, gender, or ethnicity have a place in an impersonal format like a job application or loan. I really don't see a legitimate reason for those people to collect that kind of information. And all too often, it may be used improperly anyway.

By the way, I have noticed that there is a real explosion of ethnic designations on some governmental and quasi-governmental forms. I know what you mean though; sometimes you just can't get away from it.

Hoping the best for you.

Answer 4

Collection of this data is a sad leftover because minorities were denied things like education and access to financial services. So to prove they were doing better they had to start collecting it. Very sad. You will have to get by this problem because it won't change soon. You can make an issue of it, or you can start putting black or asian or something. It is usually voluntary but they can decide not to accept your applicaiton if you don't volunteer it. Try to learn the history of how it got there to help understand and help you cope with it. Or try something like flipping a coin or using even and odd days to determine your ethnicity. You can tell the person: heads i'm hispanic, tails i'm anglo, or say: on even days i'm mexican, on odd days i'm english. or whatever. make a joke of it. you need a good way to cope so this doesn't stress you.

Answer 5

ANGLO (not angelo)
My kids are half mexican half anglo...
They chose to me mexican, and I don't care which they use. Of course, with a last name like Gonzales, if they don't pick it the ignoramus at the counter will....

BTW - when applying for a loan of any kind - you do not have to answer that. It's totally voluntary.

Answer 6

Good for you. I am a mixture of 3 races and feel exactly the same way. I just put HUMAN in the blank space where it says other.

Answer 7

You do not have to pick one. Why are some people so determined to put us all in categories. I really think they should do away with the whole what race are you questions on applications, I think in 20 years it will finally be irrelevant.

Answer 8

i imagine i'd adapt and love any epidermis colour i'm placed with. For now, i'm satisfied being Korean. i recognize and understand all ethnicity/nationality. all of them have heritage of suffering and fulfillment that has led to the position they at the instant are.

Answer 9

You are not required to fill in any ethnicity. But you are right, there are benefits to claiming a minority status in some cases. Just don't lie.

Answer 10

I just write in Human. That's what it all comes down to, we are all the same on that level, so Human is the best answer.