Race as described in the book is “considered a primary aspect of personal identity”(Wood 49). I have viewed race as a way to identify a piece of a person but not used to be a direct reflection of who someone truly is. Race is just one aspect that someone may use to build a social construction or view of themselves. Others may identify themselves by their culture, skin color, talents, characteristics etc. I don’t think that race is a good way to classify people because unfortunately our society cannot view race without bias or stigmas attached. Although we are diverse and become more tolerant as a nation, it is still hard for our society to pass little judgment on others due to their background. People should not be classified and segregated by race because it is usually irrelevant information in my eyes (standardized testing etc). I strongly believe that the Census Bureau should allow people to check multiple races to define themselves. A person who is multiracial should be allowed to check box multiple races or check box a multiracial category. It may seem insignificant to have a multiracial person check one race over the other. Many ask, “what’s the big deal?”. Well, in my case I am half Cuban and half Filipino. I am also first generation American. So for me, having to choose on any document one race over the other runs emotionally deeper for me than just the piece of paper. It’s like asking me to pick between my mom and my dad. It is a terrible feeling, especially when I feel as though I identify with both. The Census Bureau should allow people to express their identities to the full extent and allow them to disclose what their race is, if they choose to do so.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
September 3-9 (Discussion #2)
Race as described in the book is “considered a primary aspect of personal identity”(Wood 49). I have viewed race as a way to identify a piece of a person but not used to be a direct reflection of who someone truly is. Race is just one aspect that someone may use to build a social construction or view of themselves. Others may identify themselves by their culture, skin color, talents, characteristics etc. I don’t think that race is a good way to classify people because unfortunately our society cannot view race without bias or stigmas attached. Although we are diverse and become more tolerant as a nation, it is still hard for our society to pass little judgment on others due to their background. People should not be classified and segregated by race because it is usually irrelevant information in my eyes (standardized testing etc). I strongly believe that the Census Bureau should allow people to check multiple races to define themselves. A person who is multiracial should be allowed to check box multiple races or check box a multiracial category. It may seem insignificant to have a multiracial person check one race over the other. Many ask, “what’s the big deal?”. Well, in my case I am half Cuban and half Filipino. I am also first generation American. So for me, having to choose on any document one race over the other runs emotionally deeper for me than just the piece of paper. It’s like asking me to pick between my mom and my dad. It is a terrible feeling, especially when I feel as though I identify with both. The Census Bureau should allow people to express their identities to the full extent and allow them to disclose what their race is, if they choose to do so.
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Britt, I really enjoyed reading your post today. Just like you i also believe that someone should not be classified by their race. I believe that there is so much more to a person than the color of their skin. I do believe, tho, that the Census Bureau should allow people to check multiple races just because we have a lot of people that are multiple races in today's society.This will help many Americans distinguish themselves as a multi-racial person. Race is important in the sense of entitlement, but i do believe that the talents and personality of a person are more important than the color of their skin.
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