Results: The Race Question - not an easy one to answer.
Meghan Markle said she had a difficult time answering the race question on forms. Her father is white, her mother is black and she didn't want to choose one over the other. By best friend growing up in Scotland was similarly born of mixed parents and he had black skin while his sister had fair skin. The entire family was born in Scotland and from a culture standpoint were as Scottish as I am. When Tom got married the wedding party looked splendid in full traditional Scottish garb. So how would Meghan or Tom answer the race question on surveys? My skin is not white and I have never been anywhere near the Caucasus so how should I answer? Is skin colour a "culture" anyway?
1.
1.
Here is a sample question taken from a survey we see quite regularly. Based on your own culture or skin colour or race (or however you identify yourself) how difficult is this question for you to answer?
This question is always easy to answer from the choices listed.
64%
•
1470 votes
This question is difficult to answer from the choices listed.
9%
•
201 votes
The choices listed don't really apply so I pick one reluctantly.
7%
•
160 votes
I don't see how this question is relevant to the survey's subject matter anyway.
13%
•
302 votes
Not applicable (please state your reasons for this below)
12%
•
273 votes
- Other than a preference for Scotch (and you don't have to be Scottish to have that) I have been able to absorb the culture of whatever country I have lived in. Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales, Tunisia, France, Holland, Mexico, United States
- not really
- My race impacts how other people see and treat me every time I go outside.
2.
2.
Here is another sample question taken from a survey we see quite regularly. Based on your own culture or skin colour or race (or however you identify yourself) how difficult is this question for you to answer?
This question is always easy to answer from the choices listed.
57%
•
1321 votes
This question is difficult to answer from the choices listed.
11%
•
263 votes
The choices listed don't really apply so I pick one reluctantly.
9%
•
204 votes
I don't see how this question is relevant to the survey's subject matter anyway.
14%
•
311 votes
Not applicable (please state your reasons for this below)
13%
•
294 votes
- I have lived in countries where I was a visible minority and have never experienced the racism that is common in most countries where "white" is the most common skin colour. White folks have to change their attitude (I think).
- My race impacts how other people see and treat me every time I go outside.
- Probably not
3.
3.
Here is a question that is different from the usual ones we see but seems to have the potential to insult a wider variety of people (Canadians anyway) than most I have seen. Based on your own culture or skin colour or race (or however you identify yourself) how difficult is this question for you to answer?
This question is easy to answer from the choices listed.
65%
•
1485 votes
This question is difficult to answer from the choices listed.
18%
•
403 votes
Not applicable (please state your reasons for this below)
19%
•
434 votes
- There is an option I could pick but I select "other" in protest about the condescending options offered.
- Depends on who is being asked
- I am not sure.
4.
4.
Based on the three samples above and your own life experiences do you think "The Race Question" should still be asked? Feel free to comment. Yes
23%
•
536 votes
No
39%
•
890 votes
Undecided
38%
•
874 votes
- Until it can be justified as being a determining factor from a marketing standpoint it appears this question is only asked because of obsolete value judgments that no longer apply. At the very least, skin colour should be an adjective but not a culture.
- I think it is fair to ask about your ethnic origins so as to divide the results for demographic purposes, but it should allow you to choose multiple responses and should overall be more inclusive.
- For better or worse, yes.
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