First of all you should understand that I am not against the census in general. I think it’s important to have an idea of where people physically exists within a given space, and what their needs might be. My problem is not with the census itself, and I am of the personal opinion that to not fill it out is un-American. This is, as I stated, a personal opinion.
More than just a personal opinion, is my disgust with the questions of race I was asked. I am all about celebrating differences, including that of culture, but that is determined as much by the choices you make as by the blood in your veins. Skin color is of no use-we are a culture that purposefully adjusts skin tone to suite our individual needs. And when it comes to history, we share a common history! A racist white cannot separate their background from the African slave. We are all bound together by the land and the peoples preceding us. In an effort to not discriminate, should it not be more appropriate for us to personally forbid discussion of “race”, much as we do other unsubstantiated beliefs like ghosts? That’s not something people have general discussions about, although it might be even publicly acknowledged within specific circles.
When did we forget that this nation was decided upon by the people. People of all different backgrounds. People who continue to perpetuate racism by allowing it to be part of our accepted culture. How many times have you done something specifically to counter-act something else. I personally remembering being indecisive about moving to California until I was told that I couldn’t. I often sit at funerals watching faces turn to stone as a Christian gives a sermon over the body of a non-believer. There are times when, in order to not be something, we go to far. I suggest that we, as the American society, have done this very thing.
It’s not just the census. It’s the way we approach our very President. This man is admittedly of “mixed race” and yet he will be known for being the first “black/Afro-American” President. It does not matter if we does bring about world peace, he will be known for his race. This makes me every bit as sad as the American history of slavery. Am I the only one who sees that we have gone to the extreme opposite? In our need for equality, we have perpetuated racism, and through the census, we continue to do so.
If you have yet to fill out your census, pleas choose the box marked for “other” and fill in the blank with “refuse to answer”. Refuse to participate in further racism by telling the United States government, that race is not a factor in your personal life.
