What am I?

[noshie]

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Ok, I am Persian, or Iranian, which ever you like. Anyways, when asked what race, I always put other or white. I hate doing this because I feel that I should be classified as what I really am. I am very proud of my roots, although I was born in the US. Anyways, I know that Iran is in Western Asia, so would I be considered Asian? I am just wondering if this is a lie, or if I should feel like I am misrepresenting my self.

 

[Junkster]

Isn't there a "other" option on most forms?

Man, Persian/Iranian is a toughie... totally eurasian.

 

[noshie]

Yes there is always an other option, but I used to just say I was white because I have lived here all my life, I am "white" skinned, and it was so much easier not to have to explain that I am bilinguel, and first generation blah blah. Same reason I changed my name legally I guess, for the ease of it.

 

[DO 4 life]

Yes, I totally know what you're talking about. I am also Iranian/Persian and very proud of it. I usually just put "other Asian." If that option is not there I put other, but I never put white.

 

[Kuba]

your caucasian... arent the caucasian mountains in persia?

 

[noshie]

I think that persia and Iran are two different things, tell me if I am mistaken. And I doubt that I am caucasian but it could be possible. Well if others are putting western asian then I think I will too from now on. The only reason I havent done this so far is because I had my name legally changed and now my last name kind of looks asian (I should have thought of this before I changed it but now it is too late). So I thought that if I put asian then people would be really suprised when they saw me. It might actually be fun.

 

[Kuba]

I think that persia and Iran are two different things, tell me if I am mistaken. And I doubt that I am caucasian but it could be possible. Well if others are putting western asian then I think I will too from now on. The only reason I havent done this so far is because I had my name legally changed and now my last name kind of looks asian (I should have thought of this before I changed it but now it is too late). So I thought that if I put asian then people would be really suprised when they saw me. It might actually be fun.

http://parents.berkeley.edu/madar-pedar/ancestry.html

The term aryan was originally used to describe persians.. I would not use Asian to describe your race, it's like having a white South African classyfing themselves as African-American.

 

[Kuba]

just to select the part that backs up my earlier claims:

Caucasian (commonly referred to as White) race is a major ethnic division of the human species having skin color varying from very light to brown. These people are natives of Caucasus Mountains, which are in the SW region of Soviet Union or Northern region of Iran (depending on the time periods when the borders were established). Iranians are Caucasian or White. Let's not loose our identity for the sake of privileges offered to "minorities".

 

[Gabby]

I think that persia and Iran are two different things, tell me if I am mistaken.

You're wrong. Iran used to be called Persia. That's why Iranians are also referred to as Persians. Iranians/Persians are Caucasian, as someone mentioned above, so that's the box you would have to check.

Let's not loose our identity for the sake of privileges offered to "minorities".

In medicine, Asians aren't a minority so it isn't like it would help anyway. But DRKUBA is correct. You're Caucasian.

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

Im only half Iranian and I always put Asian (other). Most people think im hispanic though by looks ( I wish I good put that, but if they find out im dead).

 

[clsr2nrvna]

I would advise against completing these type of forms. Unless you are looking for special consideration as a minority, etc. I personally do not believe in even POSING these type of questions (sex, race, even locale of residence). There should be NO consideration towards these topics unless absolutely necessary, as in gender/ethnic-sensitive emotionally charged issues (ie. having a female rape victim examined by a male doctor).

Just predisposing one to be judgemental on issues that are irrelevant for most topics...

~ clsr2nrvna

 

[supersash]

ditto to clsr2nrvna!

i too am half middle eastern, and i would never dream of putting "asian" even though that country does reside in asia. i don't think the color of our skin should be an issue when applying to medical school.

if you feel you deserve socioeconomically discriminations, it is one thing, but race should not be a factor.

if you really want to be sure, call aacomas!

 

[scpod]

I would advise against completing these type of forms. Unless you are looking for special consideration as a minority, etc. I personally do not believe in even POSING these type of questions... Just predisposing one to be judgemental on issues that are irrelevant for most topics...

You're missing out on the reason behind these questions. It's not an individual thing at all. This is practically the only way that diversity can be assessed. Without this information, you would have no idea of how many minorities are applying to medical school. We can later find out how many were interviewed and then accepted. It's not relevant exactly who these people are (in these cases), but knowing their numbers is important. For example, because of these statistics we may learn that there is a particulary disproportionate amount of African American males being accepted to med school, so we can look for a way to change that. Puting down your ethnicity, regardless of what it is, is important in keeping an eye on the diversity issue.

 

[supersash]

For example, because of these statistics we may learn that there is a particulary disproportionate amount of African American males being accepted to med school, so we can look for a way to change that.

if african american males had the best gpa/mcat/ec/experiences, why should they NOT be admitted, and another group with lesser stats get accepted?

maybe med schools could keep track of who attends, but i dont think it matters who is applying. whoever deserves the spot the most should get it, and i don't think their race should play into that.

 

[scpod]

if african american males had the best gpa/mcat/ec/experiences, why should they NOT be admitted...

Maybe it's that enough are not applying for one reason or another. If that's the case, then maybe there is a greater problem that society as a whole should look at. Studies have shown that African Americans prefer to see AA doctors. People who are happy with their choice of physician, for whatever resson, tend to follow treatment plans better. Follow the logic: If their are not enough AA doctors to treat AA patients, then the AA patients are not as happy and are less likely to follow tretment plans. Therefore, they are being given a sub-standard quality of health care simply based on their race. At that point, it is encumbant on society to increase the avenues by which AA physicians are trained.

OK, this is getting to be way off topic now, but it tells me that we need to know who is applying and who is being accepted to med school, in order to assure that everyone has a shot at fair healthcare.

 

[noshie]

ok you guys totally ruined my post and made it an arguement! how rude!

 

[supersash]

sorry if you are offended, but it was simply a discussion, no arguments here! good luck to you.

 

[scpod]

I'm sorry for "highjacking" the thread.

 

[noshie]

Oh I am just kidding, its always fun to see you guys argue.

 

[scpod]

Oh I am just kidding, its always fun to see you guys argue.

And I thought you were serious 😳

 

[supersash]

ohh i thought you were serious too!! haha, then let the feud continue on!!!!

😉

 

[snowkhat]

Noshie that is a hard question. One of my best friends checks "Caucasian" even though he's Berber (African--Algeria). My other friends who are Indian check South-Asian. My sister who is half-Mexican always checks Latina/Hispanic. I would check whatever you are comfortable with.

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

Noshie that is a hard question. One of my best friends checks "Caucasian" even though he's Berber (African--Algeria). My other friends who are Indian check South-Asian. My sister who is half-Mexican always checks Latina/Hispanic. I would check whatever you are comfortable with.

I agree. Whatever you're comfortable with. Mind you, make sure you're consistent. You don't want you AACOMAS and your secondary to reflect two different nationalities! 😛

 

[MedStudentWanna]

Noshie that is a hard question. One of my best friends checks "Caucasian" even though he's Berber (African--Algeria). My other friends who are Indian check South-Asian. My sister who is half-Mexican always checks Latina/Hispanic. I would check whatever you are comfortable with.

What???? That's awful advice! You don't get to check whatever you're comfortable with. You check the TRUTH and the truth was outlined a while back in this thread. As an Iranian, you're caucasian. We can't all just check the box that we like. The point of this is for med schools to know how many doctors of different groups they're turning out. How can they do that if we all just "check what we want?"

 

[noshie]

What???? That's awful advice! You don't get to check whatever you're comfortable with. You check the TRUTH and the truth was outlined a while back in this thread. As an Iranian, you're caucasian. We can't all just check the box that we like. The point of this is for med schools to know how many doctors of different groups they're turning out. How can they do that if we all just "check what we want?"

Caucasian is not necisarily the truth! I mean most of the population would be considered caucasian by the logic in the previous thread. I am considered other, western asian (by location) and caucasian. Its not like I am checking mexican or african american! Its like someone that has an african american and a caucasian parent, which one are they? Well, they are the one that is most comfortable for them to be. They can "check what they want."

 

[MedStudentWanna]

Caucasian is not necisarily the truth! I mean most of the population would be considered caucasian by the logic in the previous thread. I am considered other, western asian (by location) and caucasian. Its not like I am checking mexican or african american! Its like someone that has an african american and a caucasian parent, which one are they? Well, they are the one that is most comfortable for them to be. They can "check what they want."

Then why did you even bother to ask the question? According to the U.S. Census, Iranians are considered caucasian. You're Iranian, therefore, you're caucasian. I don't understand the confusion here. You're not the one who has an AA parent and a caucasian one. Your ethnicity isn't in question, unless there's something you haven't told us. It's common sense these things don't go by location. They want to know what you are and you are caucasian. They do these things and they expect honesty so checking whatever you want when it's quite clear you're caucasian is dishonest.

 

[Kuba]

im confused too. Noshie, you're caucasian in terms of what your race is officially. If you want to get creative with that, good luck.