The second day in the university, I wanted to register with the medical centre. I had to fill in a form asking me about my address, previous diseases and allergies. At the bottom of the page there was a field where I had to tick a box confirming which ethnic background I had. I considered the filling in of that form to be up to my own knowledge and conscience and as I had never been asked such a question before I left the box blank and handed the form to the lady seated at the desk. She scanned through what I had filled in and gave it back to me: “You must fill in your ethnic origin,” she said. I told her I did not know what my ethnic origin was and that I had never been asked that before – not mentioning that I was utterly confused by the many choices I had. Of course, I knew I was white. But I was not ‘White English’ or ‘White Scottish’ or ‘White Welsh’, which was certain. She said: “You are from Germany? So you are ‘White Other’.” Now, that really killed me. I ticket the corresponding box and discomposedly went outside, wondering what difference it would make to define my ethnic background this specifically. And, if she knew I was from Germany and thus my ethnic origin was ‘White Other’, why did I have to tick the box then? Can’t she guess it herself? What was the use of that anyway?
Table of Contents
1. Is it right to ask university and job applicants their ethnic origin?
2. Medical necessity of ethnic data
3. Social and political implications of ethnic discrimination
4. Implementation of ethnic monitoring
5. Cross-cultural perspectives and conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the ethical and practical implications of questioning individuals about their ethnic background, specifically examining its role in medical research, the prevention of discrimination, and administrative monitoring in modern societies.
- The medical relevance of ethnic origin for disease risk assessment.
- United Nations recommendations for protecting ethnic minorities.
- Administrative applications of ethnic monitoring in public services.
- Comparative analysis of ethnic inquiry practices in Germany, Russia, and the UK.
- The intersection of personal privacy, social stigma, and equality.
Excerpt from the book
Is it right to ask university and job applicants their ethnic origin?
The second day in the university, I wanted to register with the medical centre. I had to fill in a form asking me about my address, previous diseases and allergies. At the bottom of the page there was a field where I had to tick a box confirming which ethnic background I had. I considered the filling in of that form to be up to my own knowledge and conscience and as I had never been asked such a question before I left the box blank and handed the form to the lady seated at the desk. She scanned through what I had filled in and gave it back to me: “You must fill in your ethnic origin,” she said. I told her I did not know what my ethnic origin was and that I had never been asked that before – not mentioning that I was utterly confused by the many choices I had. Of course, I knew I was white. But I was not ‘White English’ or ‘White Scottish’ or ‘White Welsh’, which was certain. She said: “You are from Germany? So you are ‘White Other’.” Now, that really killed me. I ticket the corresponding box and discomposedly went outside, wondering what difference it would make to define my ethnic background this specifically. And, if she knew I was from Germany and thus my ethnic origin was ‘White Other’, why did I have to tick the box then? Can’t she guess it herself? What was the use of that anyway?
Summary of Chapters
1. Is it right to ask university and job applicants their ethnic origin?: The author introduces the topic through a personal experience involving mandatory ethnic identification at a university medical centre.
2. Medical necessity of ethnic data: This section details how genetic and ethnic background information helps medical professionals identify disease prevalence and risk factors among specific groups.
3. Social and political implications of ethnic discrimination: The chapter discusses the United Nations' stance on minority rights and the necessity for state intervention to prevent racial discrimination and social exclusion.
4. Implementation of ethnic monitoring: This chapter examines how public institutions like the Buckinghamshire County Council utilize ethnic monitoring to ensure equitable service delivery.
5. Cross-cultural perspectives and conclusion: The author contrasts the British approach to ethnic monitoring with the practices in Russia and Germany, concluding that while such systems have benefits, they highlight a persistent societal struggle to accept differences.
Keywords
Ethnic origin, ethnic monitoring, medical research, racial discrimination, human rights, minority protection, social integration, public services, cultural identity, diversity, United Nations, disease risk, demographic data, equality, social stigma.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines the necessity, ethics, and practical application of ethnic monitoring in public and medical institutions.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The central themes include medical diagnosis, human rights and anti-discrimination legislation, public administration, and international differences in cultural attitudes toward ethnic identity.
What is the author's primary research question?
The author questions whether it is morally and practically right to categorize individuals by their ethnic origin and why this practice is more prevalent in some societies than in others.
What methodology does the author employ?
The work utilizes a combination of personal narrative, analysis of medical/scientific data, and an overview of institutional policies and international declarations.
What does the main body of the text discuss?
It covers the health-related reasons for ethnic data collection, the political framework for minority protection, and real-world examples of ethnic monitoring in local government.
Which keywords define the scope of the paper?
Key terms include ethnic monitoring, discrimination, minority rights, public health, and social integration.
How does the medical context support ethnic monitoring?
The text explains that certain genetic disorders and diseases are statistically more prevalent in specific ethnic groups, making data collection useful for targeted health interventions.
Why does the author contrast the UK with Germany and Russia?
These comparisons illustrate that ethnic inquiry is culturally relative; while the UK uses it as a tool for equality and service improvement, Germany views it as a sensitive, potentially stigmatizing issue, and Russia largely avoids formal ethnic categorization.
- Citation du texte
- Katja Buthut (Auteur), 2006, Is it right to ask university and job applicants their ethnic origin?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/134717
