Should Race/Ethnicity be Recorded?

[Forti Mundus]

For example, when standardized tests are taken (in the United States school system), the student is required to mark their ethnicity or race. Should this be required? Should race be give out as a descriptor for criminals on the loose? I believe race should not be recorded for anything, exception to physical description, as if trying to describe someone physically. I believe that race itself has no effect on intelligence, physical ability, or values. Although it may be racial communities that contribute to these things, I believe that racial community membership cannot be judged fairly, and thus should not be recorded either.

[Kaitjan]

In crime - yes. That gives interesting statistics.

[Kxcd]

For example, when standardized tests are taken (in the United States school system), the student is required to mark their ethnicity or race. Should this be required? Should race be give out as a descriptor for criminals on the loose? I believe race should not be recorded for anything, exception to physical description, as if trying to describe someone physically. I believe that race itself has no effect on intelligence, physical ability, or values. Although it may be racial communities that contribute to these things, I believe that racial community membership cannot be judged fairly, and thus should not be recorded either.

I believe that unless it's relevant, as in physical appearance, it doesn't matter and is basically statistical noise that needs no recording.

[Kxcd]

In crime - yes. That gives interesting statistics.

How so?

[MERIZoC]

In crime - yes. That gives interesting statistics.

Though pointless ones. Race is a social construct.

[Aggicificicerous]

For example, when standardized tests are taken (in the United States school system), the student is required to mark their ethnicity or race. Should this be required?

No. It's silly and reinforces false racial stereotypes.

[Fortschritte]

I've never really understood the point of recording race in standardized tests and the like. But, in things like the census, it allows us to see what ethnicities our nation is comprised of.

[Shilya]

What for? To give people on the internet ammunition for internet arguments?

There's a lot of things worth keeping track of there, things that actually have an influence on the individual and his performance/acts. Someones skin colour is not one of them.

[Central Kadigan]

I also do not believe that race has any effect on intelligence, physical ability, or values.

That said, however, someone's racial or ethnic community is an important demographic tool. I do believe that it should be recored, but that it should be up to the individual him/herself to determine what they consider their racial or ethnic community to be. Race and ethnicity is often a matter of personal perception and is far more complicated than your standard multiple choice form allows.

For more important than racial or ethnic community in determining someone's future success, regardless of their inherent abilities, however, is their socioeconomic status. There are lots of rich, trust fund kids out there without an ounce of talent who are considered "successful" even though they contribute nothing whatsoever of value to society. Likewise, there are extremely talented, intelligent, and motivated kids in the urban slums who are considered "failures" because they have to worry about where their next meal will com from rather than applying their considerable gifts.

At the end of the day, it is not racial or ethnic community that determines how far someone's star swill rise, but rather it is determined by simply which income bracket their parents were in.

[Forti Mundus]

I've never really understood the point of recording race in standardized tests and the like. But, in things like the census, it allows us to see what ethnicities our nation is comprised of.

From the standpoint of countries of heritage? Or skin color?

[Fortschritte]

I've never really understood the point of recording race in standardized tests and the like. But, in things like the census, it allows us to see what ethnicities our nation is comprised of.

From the standpoint of countries of heritage? Or skin color?

Both. While race is a social construct, it does help us determine the demographics of areas, and it allows us to see if certain areas with minority majorities are disadvantaged from a socio-economic standpoint. And, that's important for us to see, so we as a society can figure out how we can move past the era of racism, and move towards a society that helps groups of people that have historically been discriminated against, which has caused them socio-economic problems.

[Forti Mundus]

At the end of the day, it is not racial or ethnic community that determines how far someone's star swill rise, but rather it is determined by simply which income bracket their parents were in.

That was the main reason that the inheritance tax issue bugged me in-game. It makes me kinda mad when someone who didn't earn anything has more than those who work very hard.

[The Alexanderians]

Depends on for what

[Caraani]

For example, when standardized tests are taken (in the United States school system), the student is required to mark their ethnicity or race. Should this be required?

No. It's silly and reinforces false racial stereotypes.

If it reinforces, then it's not false. Like observing that a specific kind of people are less intelligent, then it is not false.

[Forti Mundus]

From the standpoint of countries of heritage? Or skin color?

Both. While race is a social construct, it does help us determine the demographics of areas, and it allows us to see if certain areas with minority majorities are disadvantaged from a socio-economic standpoint. And, that's important for us to see, so we as a society can figure out how we can move past the era of racism, and move towards a society that helps groups of people that have historically been discriminated against, which has caused them socio-economic problems.

Personally, I believe in the United States, that racism is done with and that opportunity has nothing to do with race. I believe that all races have the same potential.

Interesting video on the topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VBAEJlR4pk

[Forti Mundus]

No. It's silly and reinforces false racial stereotypes.

If it reinforces, then it's not false. Like observing that a specific kind of people are less intelligent, then it is not false.

So because data shows that Asian-Americans have higher test scores, it is true that ALL Asian-Americans have higher test scores?

[Luziyca]

I've never really understood the point of recording race in standardized tests and the like. But, in things like the census, it allows us to see what ethnicities our nation is comprised of.

Exactly. Though I think the point is to compare stats among different races so to see the disparities and see how to solve the problems.

[Fortschritte]

Both. While race is a social construct, it does help us determine the demographics of areas, and it allows us to see if certain areas with minority majorities are disadvantaged from a socio-economic standpoint. And, that's important for us to see, so we as a society can figure out how we can move past the era of racism, and move towards a society that helps groups of people that have historically been discriminated against, which has caused them socio-economic problems.

Personally, I believe in the United States, that racism is done with and that opportunity has nothing to do with race. I believe that all races have the same potential.

Interesting video on the topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VBAEJlR4pk

Racism isn't done with. To say so ignores the police actions committed against people of different races, discrimination that minorities face, and all of that. I live in Arizona, a state that has been hostile towards waves of Hispanic immigrants, and I have Hispanic friends who have been beat up by racist thugs.

Opportunity has more to do with socio-economic class, so you're correct. However, because of years of institutionalized racism and discrimination, minorities tend to have lower levels of social mobility. Through taking race and socio-economic status into account in censuses, we can figure out whether or not social mobility is getting better for minorities.

[Caraani]

If it reinforces, then it's not false. Like observing that a specific kind of people are less intelligent, then it is not false.

So because data shows that Asian-Americans have higher test scores, it is true that ALL Asian-Americans have higher test scores?

It depends. If it is at a national scale, then yes, it is true. Deal with it, some are better then the others.

[Earl of Sandwich IV]

When it comes to crime statistics and so on, yes it can be helpful. But I think religion and social status are more important.

[Marelius]

In crime - yes. That gives interesting statistics.

Though pointless ones. Race is a social construct.

People keep using that sentence. "[insert term here] is a social construct." Like social constructs have no influence at all.

@OP
I'm sure it has no practical use, but as someone who likes to pile data on everything, sure.

[Pope Joan]

We have tried to track race, through census and otherwise, as one means of redressing the unfairness which is so deeply ingrained in our society. The tool is becoming less useful, but I would hate to throw it away. That might just make it easier for the system to discriminate on the basis of race.

[Anglo-California]

A society is reflective of those who inhabit it and those who rule it. Knowing who and what they are is key understanding said society.


Demography is destiny.

[Soselo]

Nothing should be recorded, an odd concept that. To perceive a record is to experience the past in the present, making history paradoxical.

[Norstal]

In crime - yes. That gives interesting statistics.

Though pointless ones. Race is a social construct.

So when there's an abnormal number of black people being arrested and incarcerated, it won't be recorded. After all, there's no black people, only Americans.