"What is your ethnic background?"

Raiderhater · 03-20-2007, 03:36 PM

Anybody else hate this fucking question? I just fielded a phone survey (for GreatClips of all places) and when we got to the second to last question I think I completely mystified the poor gal (who was a minority as evidenced by her speech) when I kept answering "American". "But what ethnicity: caucasion, African American, Asian American, Native American, other?" "American." "African American?" "No, just American." "But what is your ethnic background?" "Just American." "Uh, ookay (checks the 'other' box undoubtedly)."

There is nothing wrong with recognizing and even being proud of one's heritage, but why must we continually segregate ourselves from ourselves? Why is skin color so damned important? I thought we were all equall regardless of ethnicity? So why does everyone want to make such a big deal about it? If you live in America and are a citizen of our lovely country, you are an American first and foremost. I refuse to participate in this nonsensical division, I answer American.

StcChief · 03-20-2007, 03:38 PM

I'm proud of being from Caucasia

Micjones · 03-20-2007, 03:40 PM

It might be difficult to understand why anyone who has been stripped of their culture at every turn would want to salvage a bit of that heritage, but first ask yourself if you can identify. If you cannot, then perhaps you should defer to those who can.

Segregation does not include the appreciation of one another's differences.

Raiderhater · 03-20-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

It might be difficult to understand why anyone who has been stripped of their culture at every turn would want to salvage a bit of that heritage, but first ask yourself if you can identify. If you cannot, then perhaps you should defer to those who can.

Segregation does not include the appreciation of one another's differences.

Let's see, stripped of culture: Native American - check, Jew - check. Probably some others I am unaware of, but I don't go around saying I am a Jewish-Indian American. fuck that. If people can't be proud of being an American, why live here? And this is a serious question looking for a serious answer, not just an inflamatory remark.

Zebedee DuBois · 03-20-2007, 04:04 PM

I don't see why this would anger you.

A business is trying to understand their customers. They are tying to improve their business - they are practicing capitalism. That is something you can support, isn't it?

Raiderhater · 03-20-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebedee DuBois

I don't see why this would anger you.

A business is trying to understand their customers. They are tying to improve their business - they are practicing capitalism. That is something you can support, isn't it?

I am by no means suggesting that they don't have the right to ask the question if they think it will help. I just don't care for it, and will answer one way and one way only, because to me it makes no difference.

Zebedee DuBois · 03-20-2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raiderhader

I am by no means suggesting that they don't have the right to ask the question if they think it will help. I just don't care for it, and will answer one way and one way only, because to me it makes no difference.

You certainly have the right to decline to answer a voluntary poll question.

But, if you have chosen to participate, please be kind to the pollster. She didn't make up the questions and hasn't thought about their polictical and social implications. ....and Rain Man will thank you.

StcChief · 03-20-2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebedee DuBois

I don't see why this would anger you.

A business is trying to understand their customers. They are tying to improve their business - they are practicing capitalism. That is something you can support, isn't it?

Marketing demographics based on customer address/phone# would likely work well.

Not ethnic background.

Extra Point · 03-20-2007, 03:41 PM

Unlike those wanting to ban dihydrogen monoxide, I feel that the question should be stricken from all forms. When people ask, I reply "human."

**penguinz** · 03-20-2007, 03:44 PM

Caucasian is not an ethnicity.

Raiderhater · 03-20-2007, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penguinz

Caucasian is not an ethnicity.

That's what I'll do next time, instead of answering the question at all I'll just argue with them over that technicality.

wutamess · 03-20-2007, 03:45 PM

Someone fall off the over-sensitive bus today?
African American / Black

Brock · 03-20-2007, 03:47 PM

I was born here. Native American.

Eleazar · 03-20-2007, 04:02 PM

I have a hispanic last name, and my father's side immigrated (more than 100 years ago) from Mexico, so depending on what the form is for, I will often check the hispanic box. I'm as white as white can be, but what is the standard? Do you have to be a full blooded... whatever? Your parents? Just one grandparent? Is it supposed to be that you just choose the major portion of your lineage? Is it only supposed to be your appearance? What box should Tiger Woods check?

There are no standards so I just assume it's the major portion of your ancestry no matter how distant. I don't have a clue about any of my other predecesors. Besides, if there is some advantage that this kind of ridiculously narrow and impossible to answer properly question provides, count me in.

03-20-2007, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

I have a hispanic last name, and my father's side immigrated (more than 100 years ago) from Mexico, so depending on what the form is for, I will often check the hispanic box.

I need some landscaping done. Can you swing by and give me a fair estimate?

03-20-2007, 03:36 PM	Topic Starter
Raiderhater Tried it on and it fit Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: A Webb of chaos Casino cash: $-1557979	"What is your ethnic background?" Anybody else hate this fucking question? I just fielded a phone survey (for GreatClips of all places) and when we got to the second to last question I think I completely mystified the poor gal (who was a minority as evidenced by her speech) when I kept answering "American". "But what ethnicity: caucasion, African American, Asian American, Native American, other?" "American." "African American?" "No, just American." "But what is your ethnic background?" "Just American." "Uh, ookay (checks the 'other' box undoubtedly)." There is nothing wrong with recognizing and even being proud of one's heritage, but why must we continually segregate ourselves from ourselves? Why is skin color so damned important? I thought we were all equall regardless of ethnicity? So why does everyone want to make such a big deal about it? If you live in America and are a citizen of our lovely country, you are an American first and foremost. I refuse to participate in this nonsensical division, I answer American.
Posts: 29,547

03-20-2007, 03:38 PM	#2
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	I'm proud of being from Caucasia
Posts: 25,901

03-20-2007, 03:40 PM	#3
Micjones Whose house? Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $10005180	It might be difficult to understand why anyone who has been stripped of their culture at every turn would want to salvage a bit of that heritage, but first ask yourself if you can identify. If you cannot, then perhaps you should defer to those who can. Segregation does not include the appreciation of one another's differences.
Posts: 15,344

03-20-2007, 04:04 PM	#5
Zebedee DuBois Veteran Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: floating in a tin can Casino cash: $-1804801	I don't see why this would anger you. A business is trying to understand their customers. They are tying to improve their business - they are practicing capitalism. That is something you can support, isn't it? __________________ What am I even doing here?
Posts: 3,934

03-20-2007, 03:41 PM	#9
Extra Point MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Prairie Village, KS Casino cash: $10004900	Unlike those wanting to ban dihydrogen monoxide, I feel that the question should be stricken from all forms. When people ask, I reply "human." __________________ "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." --Satchel Paige
Posts: 7,845

03-20-2007, 03:44 PM	#10
penguinz Supporter Join Date: Mar 2003 Casino cash: $737626	Caucasian is not an ethnicity. __________________
Posts: 17,246

03-20-2007, 03:45 PM	#12
wutamess MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lee's Summit Casino cash: $4711637	Someone fall off the over-sensitive bus today? African American / Black
Posts: 8,290

03-20-2007, 03:47 PM	#13
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	I was born here. Native American.
Posts: 47,314

03-20-2007, 04:02 PM	#14
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	I have a hispanic last name, and my father's side immigrated (more than 100 years ago) from Mexico, so depending on what the form is for, I will often check the hispanic box. I'm as white as white can be, but what is the standard? Do you have to be a full blooded... whatever? Your parents? Just one grandparent? Is it supposed to be that you just choose the major portion of your lineage? Is it only supposed to be your appearance? What box should Tiger Woods check? There are no standards so I just assume it's the major portion of your ancestry no matter how distant. I don't have a clue about any of my other predecesors. Besides, if there is some advantage that this kind of ridiculously narrow and impossible to answer properly question provides, count me in.
Posts: 80,659