Diversity gone whacko? Identity politics? Or, just admin stuff?

1. 75

   tsmogposted 16 months ago

   Next U.S. census will have new boxes for 'Middle Eastern or North African,' 'Latino'
   by NPR/KPBS (Mar 28, 2024)
   https://www.npr.org/2024/03/28/12372184 … rth-africa
   
   Excerpt . . .
   "On the next U.S. census and future federal government forms, the list of checkboxes for a person's race and ethnicity is officially getting longer.
   
   The Biden administration has approved proposals for a new response option for "Middle Eastern or North African" and a "Hispanic or Latino" box that appears under a reformatted question that asks: "What is your race and/or ethnicity?"
   
   Going forward, participants in federal surveys will be presented with at least seven "race and/or ethnicity" categories, along with instructions that say: "Select all that apply."
   
   To grasp the significance go to the article and scroll a few inches to see an example for usage. Discovery shows 7 main categories, yet there are 6 sub-categories for each. For example 'White' now has:
   
   ** English
   ** Italian
   ** German
   ** Polish
   ** Irish
   ** Scottish
   
   However, that is just one of the three types of inquiries that will be used. Both of the other two only offer the 7 main categories. One will give examples such as those being used in the 'big' one, yet is not marked by the person filling it out. The other is simplified to just the category name.
   
   To see go to Revisions to OMB Statistical Policy Directive No. 15 at page 38.
   https://www.documentcloud.org/documents … 7/a2444381
   
   Should I go to AncestryDNA and spend $100 to know how to answer for 'White'? Or, any of the categories with sub-categories?
   
   Excerpt . . . .
   "These revisions will enhance our ability to compare information and data across federal agencies, and also to understand how well federal programs serve a diverse America," Karin Orvis, U.S. chief statistician within OMB, said in a blog post."
   
   Excerpt . . .
   "Among the other proposals OMB has greenlit is a general requirement for federal agencies to ask for detailed responses about people's identities beyond the seven minimum racial and ethnic categories. This change, advocates say, will produce more insightful statistics about differences in health care outcomes and socioeconomic disparities within the minimum categories."
   
   Is there value with the new revisions?
   
   Is it Too Much Information (TMI)?
   
   Are they being to nosy?
   
   Thoughts?

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   1. 82

      Sharlee01posted 16 months agoin reply to this

      Why do we continue to emphasize race, ethnicity, and nationality on our Census when a segment of our society is striving to eliminate societal labels?    The recent approval by the Biden administration for additional response options like "Middle Eastern or North African" and "Hispanic or Latino" raises questions about the necessity of these categorizations.
      
      US CENSUS Reasons are there for all to behold-   "Why We Ask Questions About... Race
      graphical representation of the diversity of the population
      We ask a question about a person's race to create statistics about race and to present other estimates by race groups.
      
      Local, state, tribal, and federal programs use these data, and they are critical factors in the basic research behind numerous policies, particularly for civil rights. Race data are used in planning and funding government programs that provide funds or services for specific groups.
      
      These data are also used to evaluate government programs and policies to ensure that they fairly and equitably serve the needs of all racial groups and to monitor compliance with anti-discrimination laws, regulations, and policies.
      
      The U.S. Census Bureau collects racial data in accordance with the 1997 Office of Management and Budget standards on race and ethnicity. The data on race are based on self-identification and the categories on the form generally reflect a social definition of race. The categories are not an attempt to define race biologically, anthropologically, or genetically. Respondents can mark more than one race on the form to indicate their racial mixture.
      
      Your privacy concerns
      We use your confidential survey answers to create statistics like those in the results below and in the full tables that contain all the data—no one is able to figure out your survey answers from the statistics we produce. The Census Bureau is legally bound to strict confidentiality requirements. Individual records are not shared with anyone, including federal agencies and law enforcement entities. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents' answers with anyone—not the IRS, not the FBI, not the CIA, and not with any other government agency."
      https://www.census.gov/acs/www/about/wh … tion/race/
      
      The value  --- clear from the USCB  -   "Race data are used in planning and funding government programs that provide funds or services for specific groups." So it aids in directing our tax dollars to service specific groups.  Hey no mincing words, they are right up front with why they need info.
      
      Is it too much information --  In my view yes. Period
      
      Is the Census Bureau being to nosy asking these new questions? They are telling you straight up they are doing this to support social programs. The website offers a clear context of why these new boxes will be added.
      
      Is it really necessary for the Census Bureau to delve into ethnicity? It seems like they're being quite upfront about their intentions to use this information for social programs on the website. So, I don't see it as mere nosiness; rather, it's about identifying and assisting segments of our nation that may require support. Their motives are clearly stated on their website, leaving it up to us to either accept or reject it.
      
      Yes, I know this is a very blunt statement. However, I am past not realizing what I see before my eyes, with the current Government.  I mean in reality it's all there to see, the intentions are clearly in print.

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