In ethnic group questions, we are unable to base ethnic identification upon objective, quantifiable
information as we would, say, for age or gender. And this means that we should rather ask people
which group they see themselves as belonging to.Similarly, the US Census Bureau nowadays defines race as:
a person’s self-identification with one or more social groups. An individual can report as White,
Black or African American, Asian, American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Other
Pacific Islander, or some other race. Survey respondents may report multiple races.The final point is particularly noteworthy; for until the mid-20th century race
classification in the US was ‘objective’ and binary, rather than fuzzy. People
were white or, in accordance with the ‘one-drop rule’ (if they had even one
distant forebear of sub-Saharan ancestry), non-white. What is one to say about
the concept of one person belonging to multiple races? Is not the whole point of
ethnic/racial classification clear-cut distinction? How much sense does it make
to permit multiple affiliations? On one hand, it seems to say, ‘do as you please’,
indicating that race isn’t really important; on the other hand, it reconfirms the
importance of race by holding on to the category instead of discarding it
altogether.
Actually, the apparent contradiction reflects the present state of affairs with
regard to racial and ethnic identity in many societies where racial/ethnic
discrimination is an everyday occurrence. Lack of objective criteria—biological
essences—for ethnic identification does not undercut the importance attached to
perceived ethnic identities of one’s own group and others.
Stereotypes and ethnocentrism
If we, the Xs, know that the Ys are lazy, unwashed, deceitful, and irresponsible,
in short, barbarians, this is very useful; for then we know that we don’t want our
daughters and sons to marry a Y, sit next to a Y on the underground, or have
anything else to do with the Ys. Stereotypes make life easier, relieving us of the
need to think. Which is most probably why stereotyping is ubiquitous. It helps us
navigate through our busy lives, since we needn’t stop to contemplate what to
make of every single encounter, fleeting as it may be. In many cases, we already
know and can thus direct our attention to other things. As painful experience has
taught, stereotyping of other groups that solidifies into ethnic prejudice is found
in most ethnic communities, however defined.