"What is your ethnic background?"

[Raiderhater]

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]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

WASP

I'm more of a Hornet...

[Extra Point]

I'm an equal opportunity asshole.

[Mr. Laz]

[ChiefFripp]

My reply to that question is always " the right one". A lot of telemarketers just hang up after that.

[Zebedee DuBois]

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]

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.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by Raiderhader

I did not mean to suggest that you responded with inflammatory comments, I was trying to avoid any confusion about my own words, seeing as how it could be taken as the old "love it or leave it" remark that tends to send reasonable discusions spiraling down the drain.

Understood.

How is it divisive? Gee, I don't know, we have minorities who say they want equality, who say skin color makes no difference, yet they insist on proclaiming themselves as being different from everyone else when they refuse to just simply say American.

In my experience minorities have never been interested in obscuring their differences entirely. They simply don't want to be judged by them.

Again, I think you're asking an awful lot of ANY group of people who have been stripped of their culture when you suggest they abandon what's left of their heritage to embrace Americana in all its glory (which in many ways has contributed to what they lack culturally).

Do you want to be thought of as equals, or do you want to be thought of as different.

The labeling itself doesn't determine equality, but many conditions in American society do. And until those issues have been addressed people will continue to preserve their own culture in whatever ways they deem appropriate and necessary.

Someone constantly reminding everyone that they are "different" is not going to speed along the equal rights movement by any means.

And with all due respect, neither is pretending that there aren't still obstacles that threaten the very equality of which you speak.

[Raiderhater]

Originally Posted by Zebedee DuBois

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.

I was extremely polite throught the course of the entire episode. Never rude, never raised my voice, never called names, never tried to play games with her head (until the end, but that was not intended as a head game).

Originally Posted by Micjones

Understood.



In my experience minorities have never been interested in obscuring their differences entirely. They simply don't want to be judged by them.

Again, I think you're asking an awful lot of ANY group of people who have been stripped of their culture when you suggest they abandon what's left of their heritage to embrace Americana in all its glory (which in many ways has contributed to what they lack culturally).



The labeling itself doesn't determine equality, but many conditions in American society do. And until those issues have been addressed people will continue to preserve their own culture in whatever ways they deem appropriate and necessary.



And with all due respect, neither is pretending that there aren't still obstacles threaten the very equality of which you speak.

I don't know who you think you are or what you think you know, but you seem to be pretty smart for a black guy.

[Raiderhater]

Originally Posted by Micjones

Understood.



In my experience minorities have never been interested in obscuring their differences entirely. They simply don't want to be judged by them.

Heh, you mean like finding out how certain ethnic backgrounds vote, earn a living, get a haircut, ect?

Again, I think you're asking an awful lot of ANY group of people who have been stripped of their culture when you suggest they abandon what's left of their heritage to embrace Americana in all its glory (which in many ways has contributed to what they lack culturally).

I never said said it should be abandoned, quite the opposite actually. I just do not see the need to constantly remind everyone, especially when all too often it is rather evident.

The labeling itself doesn't determine equality, but many conditions in American society do. And until those issues have been addressed people will continue to preserve their own culture in whatever ways they deem appropriate and necessary.

Never said it did.

And with all due respect, neither is pretending that there aren't still obstacles threaten the very equality of which you speak.

Where the fuck did I say that people should pretend there are not obstacles? I said set the tone, promote one way of thinking versus another.

[Fairplay]

Those claiming to be carcasian should be ashamed of yourselves.

[Zebedee DuBois]

Originally Posted by Raiderhader

I was extremely polite throught the course of the entire episode. Never rude, never raised my voice, never called names, never tried to play games with her head (until the end, but that was not intended as a head game).

Well done, then, my man.

I am curious why this sparks such a strong emotion.. you did say you hated they question, which is much stronger than merely being annoyed.

I assume you had no problem with identifying your age, gender, and income range.

Do you think your answers don't count as much if you are identified as white?

[Extra Point]

Being the only white male in an all-black high school gave me a different perspective on things.

The funniest thing I ever heard was when a teammate told a skeptic why I was a starting TE on the football team: "Good hands."

[Donger]

Other than flying The Jack on Saint Patrick's Day to irritate the Irish, I really don't put much stock in my being born and raised in England. After all, I had nothing to do with it. It's important to know one's history, but some take it a bit too far. There are those in the world who would kill to be "American."

That should be enough.

[Slick32]

Originally Posted by wutamess

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

What part of Africa are you from?