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Originally Posted by sapiens
I don't think that the effect of race is simply a function of internalizing racial stereotypes - like the argument stereotype threat researchers make.
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No, I don't think that either...quite the opposite. If my post came out sounding that way, then it was my own mistake. But I just wonder, sometimes, whether the constant question of "What are you?" (from the powers that be) perpetuates the need to self-identify with "race" in general, even a little bit... that's what I meant.
In any case, I don't think "race" can be removed as a predictor, not for a long time. And removing it right now certainly would not help with improving social outcomes... it would probably make things worse, in fact, because social programs would not be able to accurately assess which groups need help, etc. if they didn't have that data.
So I agree with you here. In order to know what the relationship is between self-identified "race" and social outcomes, we have to keep asking the racial question. It will probably be hundreds of years, if not more, before that can change.
Sidenote: someone may point out that the only reason I can get away with marking "Other" as a race (at least in the US) is because of my current level of privilege. I am aware of that fact, even if I don't like it. It's the same reason I can get away with never shopping at Walmart (as an ideological thing)... because I can afford to have those kinds of ideals. Most people don't have those choices, and I get that.