Cato Daily Podcast Government Racial Categories Are (at Best) Pointless
Feb 24, 2025
John Early, an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute and expert on government racial categories, dives into the absurdity and flaws of using racial classifications. He argues that these categories are often harmful and outdated, emphasizing their ineffectiveness and potential risks, particularly for marginalized communities. Early highlights historical precedents that showcase the dangerous implications of such categorization and calls for a reevaluation of these practices in the light of constitutional principles, notably the Equal Rights provisions of the 14th Amendment.
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Government Use of Race
- Governments using racial categories is deeply flawed and serves few positive purposes.
- Negative historical examples, like the Nazis and Rwanda, highlight potential misuse.
Differing Approaches to Racial Data
- France avoids collecting racial data, except in limited cases.
- The US Census Bureau plans to expand race and ethnicity coding, raising concerns.
Overly Granular Categorization
- The proposed expansion of racial categories by the Census Bureau to over 6,000 distinct races raises concerns.
- Such granular categorization may facilitate discrimination and persecution.