I think they should stop putting people in categories. From now on I'm leaving race blank on forms and job applications.
2007-03-17 14:11:46 · 18 answers · asked by AL IS ON VACATION AND HAS NO PIC 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
100% correct.
2007-03-17 14:14:00 · answer #1 · answered by Joseph C 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I think this is a wonderful idea but I think that people are, by nature, conditioned to categorize. It goes way above race to species and way below race to the smallest level. People, in general, have an innate need to connect like to like and unlesss you can change human nature, you will always have race classifications. The only thing to do is not take it personally. Define your own boundaries like your decision to leave that off forms when you can. I like to look at my son in the playground and watch him play with other kids and see that color, gender, disability, none of it matters and that gives me hope and reminds me to live with that in mind.
2007-03-17 21:19:51 · answer #2 · answered by jamlinrich 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah, two different questions here - the concept of race is an inaccurate concept scientifically. biologists will tell you there is no such thing as race. Now, in the US, we have a history of apartheid, legal supremacy of one group consisting of people considered to be 'white.' Our apartheid system was specifically based on 'race' to the extent that 'one drop of black blood' made you black, legally. So, all the race categories on forms and applications are part of our institutions demonstrating compliance with the dismantling of apartheid.
My dad got weekend leave from the Navy once, and hitchhiked with a navy buddy from VA to NY. When they stopped in MD for something to eat, the diner owner stopped them at the door with his booming voice. "You can eat here" he called to my dad,' But the N.... can't."
If you think there's nothing to redress, you're wrong. If you think race categories on forms isn't the way to redress it, you may be right, but it certainly doesn't bother me that our country is trying to make up for our racist past.
2007-03-17 21:18:37 · answer #3 · answered by cassandra 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In a perfect world, sure. Though you have to admit, sometimes it is necessary to categorize people by race. Can you imagine how crazy it would be trying to locate someone if we couldn't describe them by race?
The truth is, if your main concern is discrimination.... people are always going to find a reason to discriminate. Whether it's by height, eye color, weight.... sad, but true.
It's a vicious circle, you abolish one form of discrimination, another will present itself.
2007-03-17 21:22:31 · answer #4 · answered by afwife 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In one sense I agree with you, "race" shouldn't matter for virtually anything.
However, I've read that people of some "races" cannot accept organ transfers from people of some other "races," so I'd say that is a valid reason for tracking who is what.
2007-03-17 21:20:14 · answer #5 · answered by Lazyrus 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No your race is so important, eracing race is not the way to go. You can be proud of your herritage, it is so important to have a history. The thing we need to work on is accepting each other for those differences.
2007-03-18 00:31:13 · answer #6 · answered by Udel26 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as there is bigotry in the world we will have racial discord I have stopped putting three things on my resumes, application etc. race, year I graduated from school, and my age.
Do not give a picture if it is asked for; for same reason.
2007-03-17 21:22:31 · answer #7 · answered by lakelover 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Looking at how you put it, it would take generations to do this in the same way that it took to give the term its fixed connotation. Philosophically though, if you have to think or believe that your potential employers judge your capabilities by your ethnicity, then you probably weren't meant to give them your contribution, anyway. ;)
2007-03-17 21:17:09 · answer #8 · answered by Kittsangel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anti "concept of race" creates more racists.Pro "peace" creates more peace.
2007-03-17 21:17:11 · answer #9 · answered by C. Kretz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I'm mixed latino & white, and its hard because I hate being categorized by "blacks" & "latinos" as white & dealing w/ racism from them just because they assume or consider me "white", & I'm sick of having to explain to whites that just because I'm lighter skinned doesn't mean I'm just like them. Would also eliminate prejudice too in my opinion. Also saves frustration on forms. (They never have "mixed", and if you think I like being called "white" or "other", think again.....)
2007-03-17 21:16:08 · answer #10 · answered by Dusk 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I hope you can be successful in your actions. Sometimes even your smile can put you in trouble depending on whom, when and where you do it....good luck!
2007-03-17 21:19:09 · answer #11 · answered by Rallie Florencio C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋