Should Elon Musk be classified as an African American? Why are Afghans classified as white? Is an Argentinian of direct German descent a Latin American or a European? Should anyone care?

Listen to Professor David Bernstein speak about the illogic of classifying Americans by race especially as there are more mixed-race marriages and adoptions. There are no standard definitions of race and bi-racial people are often unable to choose multiple racial classifications.

Some university and job applicants have great latitude when identifying as particular races. Many choose the races that are reported to be the most deprived. Does this set low expectations?

Is the race baiting behind ubiquitous racial classification more pernicious? There are always groups that will fare less well economically than others. Race baiters use such differences to gin up resentment to other groups. This is a good racket as no one, except for Michael Jackson, can change his race.

Guest Speaker:  David E. Bernstein holds a University Professorship chair at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, where he has been teaching since 1995. He has also been a visiting professor at the University of Michigan, Georgetown University, William & Mary, Brooklyn Law School, the University of Turin, and Hebrew University. Professor Bernstein teaches Constitutional Law, Evidence, and Products Liability. A prolific author, Professor Bernstein often challenges the conventional wisdom with prodigious research and sharp, original analysis. He is the author of five books, and coauthor of two more. Columnist George Will praised Professor Bernstein’s most recent book, Classified, The Untold Story of Racial Classification in America, as “perhaps the most consequential American book of 2022.”