Introduction
The article defines the racial and ethnic classifications applied to data gathering and publishing. American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and White are the five minimal classifications for race listed in the document (National Institutes of Health, 2015). The Office of Budget and Administration established definitions for all categories to improve consistency and evaluation of information on ethnicity and racial origin (National Institutes of Health, 2015). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has started programs encouraging impoverished people to work in health-related disciplines. Even though withholding one’s race or ethnicity has no bearing on how their application will be judged, it is vital to supply this information to assist their efforts.
Sociological Relevance of Race and Ethnicity
The importance of race and ethnicity in society is highlighted in chapter 10 of the book Sociology Comprehensive Edition by Steve Barkan. Race is a societal concept categorizing people according to physical qualities. However, ethnicity relates to a common cultural history, and due to its ability to impact access to possibilities, assets, and social standing, race, and ethnicity can substantially affect social disparities and power allocation (Barkan, 2012). Sociologists also acknowledge that class, gender, and sexuality are social categories connected with race and ethnicity and that these societal frameworks further impact events and results relating to race and ethnicity. The socio-cultural aspects of race and ethnicity must be understood to analyze social inequity and advance social justice.
Benefits of Designating an Individual Identity
There are “benefits” of defining individual identification based on their racial and ethnic classifications, and knowing one’s race and ethnicity could enhance medical care by enabling more efficient customization of medical treatment to people or communities. In addition, study on public health frequently employs racial or ethnic identity to explain unobserved biological variations. This is because some biological elements, such as gene variation and pollution exposure, may be connected to particular racial or ethnic groupings yet are not directly measurable in people (Barkan, 2012). Scientists may use claimed racial or ethnic identity as a stand-in for these unrecorded biological variations: thus, categorizing people according to their racial and ethnic backgrounds offers a uniform method of gathering data. This information can be used to track differences in access to possibilities and assets among various racial and ethnic groupings, and also create initiatives that combat inequality and advance social justice.
The “Harm” of Designating Individual Identity
Prejudices and stereotypes frequently result when misconceptions and expectations about people are established primarily on their ethnic and racial origins instead of their unique experiences and attributes. This can potentially maintain unfair practices traditionally supported by racial and ethnic groups, such as discrimination, redlining, and unfair hiring procedures. When people are classified according to their racial and ethnic backgrounds, it can result in marginalization and exclusion because they are denied access to socioeconomic and political advantages (Barkan, 2012). In cases of institutionalized racism, people absorb unfavorable stereotypes and ideas concerning themselves and their surroundings, resulting in feelings of inadequacy, diminished self-worth, and insecurity. Categorizing individuals based on their racial and ethnic backgrounds may lead to a restricted understanding and perpetuate the notion that race and ethnicity are rigid social categories dictated by biology, omitting their complexity and flexibility.
References
Barkan, S. E. (2012). Chapter 10: Race and Ethnicity in Sociology: Comprehensive Edition v. 1.0. Web.
National Institutes of Health. (2015). NOT-OD-15-089: Racial and Ethnic Categories and Definitions for NIH Diversity Programs and Other Reporting Purposes. Web.