Fitting into categories

From time to time I am forced to fill out a variety of forms for different reason. It can be an application for credit card, or driver’s license, or a job. One section is about ethnicity. You are asked to identify whether you are black, white or Hispanic. Well, it is not that simple. White, African-American, Hispanic (White), Hispanic (Black) and a couple other categories that I cannot remember are listed as choices. In other words everybody must fit somewhere. Sure, there is an “Other” category but I really wonder who checks that. It is almost like if you check “Other” you are hiding and denying who you are so if you think like I do you check the one that applies.

(Although, since I am not from Africa, do I still need to check African-American or should I petition for a Caribbean American category? Hmm)

I find that the norm in the US is to categorize everyone. Maybe we do it anyway as part of our human tendencies. But each time we put someone in a category, a whole slew of preconceived notions accompany it. I don’t think it can be helped. Some of those categories may not be required by law (gay lesbian or straight for example). But in keeping with this, the informal categorization does come into play and it makes it easier for biases to take hold. From pet lovers to sexuality to ethnic backgrounds, everyone falls into multiple categories. And there are a myriad of stereotypes to go around.