On those optional diversity (race) census questions on things like job apps, do you identify or do you choose to not answer?

My neighbor girl got a job application to work as a hired helper to her handicapped niece, and she had to have me help her fill it out, and it asked race, and I thought that was crazy, I called my mom and asked her about it, she said not to answer, and that it must be an old form since they're not (supposed to be) allowed to ask that anymore. I wouldn't, I did enough of that when I was in school.

Depends on my mood. I usually answer them. They haven't hindered me one way or the other.

femme fatale wrote:

On those optional diversity (race) census questions on things like job apps, do you identify or do you choose to not answer?

It depends on what type of form it is and why I think they are asking. I think its important to answer the general/national census just so that we get accurate representation of our demographics. So on that form I usually answer "negro" or "colored" (because that's what the census still thinks that my people are called). But when it comes to general job application type forms that just want to know your race/ethnicity for the purpose of "diversity" i'll usually either answer "other", check all boxes, or leave it blank.

Affirmative Action may have some bearing on the insistence of the questions.

A few days ago I filled out a form in my doctor's office with the same multiple-question, with a separate column for 'native Hispanic' or 'non-native' Hispanic (I assume to mean illegal). I thought, "WTF??? This is new!"

It depends on what it is and the mood I'm in at the time. Sometimes it feels like a double edge sword. As though if you answer it and check anything other than white, you will be judged or scrutinized...but if you don't answer the question, they'll make assumptions about you just the same.