Why does the US Census want to know what race I am?

Question

Why does the government care so much about what race people are?  How is this not racist?  Why aren't indigenous people with tribal ancestry south of the border allowed to consider themselves Native American?  All of the latin/hispanic races are grouped together and no longer even considered a separate race according the census.  How is this not racist?

nuke572 · Accepted Answer

They use the census to draw congressional districts to make sure different groups are fairly represented.

There are several other reasons for research. This census was a little weird, but it usually has more questions about income etc. How would we know if certain ethnic/racial groups are still disproportionately affected by certain things if we couldn't test it by survey?

The only reason race matters now is because it mattered in the past(in a pretty major and negative way for most minorities) and this country is trying to rectify certain things.

Anonymous · Answer

so they can keep track. its only racist if their asking led to discrimination, which it doesn't. it goes to funding of social services for people of different races who are having a rough time.

Alicia · Answer

I guess it has something to do with percentage of certain races, but I think it's pretty silly.

Anonymous · Answer

Really! If they wanted to count people they could've sent out 1 page that asked how many people live in your household.

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Why does the US Census want to know what race I am?

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