Racial Profiling in the Census

[Niels Bohr 72]

I agree with your post ALC.

In the section where it says designate ethnicity, it also specify specifically which country you're from on the 2010 Census. Not quite a matter of race.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I just found the racial profiling questions very offensive.

They have no more place there than questions about how many slaves are owned.

It seems that both Tiger Woods and Barack Obama are labeled as "Black" by popular acclaim.

However, neither Woods nor Obama would deny their Asian and White heritage.

It would make no more sense if Woods checked the Black box or the Asian box than if

Obama checked the Black box or White box. They shouldn't be forced to choose.

They are both fine human beings and counted as "1" each on the census.

I think the use of the census in some kind of misguided social engineering project is way off base.

Nobody should get entitlements on the basis of race, just on the basis of whether they need them or not.

My daughter is half Asian and White and she loudly proclaims herself as Asian,

yet she is no more Asian in behavior, Asian language ability or upbringing than Al Sharpton.

We are all the human race. When we start thinking otherwise, that's how wars break out.

It's multi-choice. Pick more than one. It's okay.

[thongd4me 69]

It's interesting that the census of 1880, although in a numbered format, was not as multiple-choice focused

as the current 2010 census, thereby requiring a better knowledge of English to complete the form.

I don't think having a defined race other than HUMAN is a requirement for citizenship so it shouldn't be for the census.

I don't spend any time thinking if my Japanese and American kids are American, Japanese, or of my family's national

background. They are just my kids. The fact that their parents are Japanese and American is for them to sort out,

not the government.

[SuperDuper! 230]

People looking for the outrageous will find it.

You can say that again!

[thongd4me 69]

Just how is asking for data points about your genetic history count as racial profiling ? Here is the definition of racial profiling from wikipedia

Racial profiling is the inclusion of racial or ethnic characteristics in determining whether a person is considered likely to commit a particular type of crime or an illegal act or to behave in a "predictable" manner. It is often confused with the more comprehensive offender profiling and has been perceived to be directed most often toward non white individuals. Although this practice has been common for centuries, the practice became particularly controversial toward the end of the 20th century in the United States, as the potential for abuse by law enforcement came to light.

The US government is collecting data. They are not engaging in racial profiling. I wish people that want to pull the race card would at least do so intelligently. Have you ever read the story of chicken little ?

The Constitution says we are equal but the takers of the census seem to have forgotten that.

To me racial profiling is wrong whether against one group or another.

Your definition is perfectly valid but I see it in a broader vein.

When the government says out loud that it is using this as a tool to monitor fairness,

it looses track of the good benefits of the voting rights and civil rights acts, which

should protect everyone equally. Are we going to base the fairness of human rights

simply on head counts?

I can see the next census categorizing flavors of Muslims. What do you do with a person of Swedish background who has converted to Islam?

Treat him as a human being, not a member of a perceived interest or ethnic group that is entitled or dis-entitled to certain benefits on that basis.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

It's a conspiracy. It's Obama's fault. Move to Australia.

[thongd4me 69]

It's a conspiracy. It's Obama's fault. Move to Australia.

You may think it's Obama's fault but a bloated, brainless bureaucracy sniffing for

more useless work for taxpayers to foot the bill for seems to be more accurate.

The politicians go for it hook line & sinker because it's a way for them to

convince the public that they are "doing" something.

The test they put it to: "does it sound politically correct?"

When they can't figure out what they want to do they go and form

study groups, hire consultants and launch commissions.

Then full speed ahead and damn the cost. No matter what the result is,

they believe if their a~~ is covered by a "study" they don't have to take

responsibility if it fails and they take full credit if they can spin it as a success.