Petition · past parliament · Cabinet Office
Provide a "Refuse to Answer" option for race and ethnicity in the 2021 Census.
Closed
33 signatures
What the petition asks
In the recent months, race and ethnicity have rightfully been called further into question. To this extent I think we should provide a "Refuse to Answer", or a "Chose not to Answer" option in the 2021 census.
Ta-Nehisi Coates once said, "But Race is the child of Racism, not the father".
I feel the government should do this as they have stated that they are dedicated to combating racism. Race itself is not backed up by solid science, it is a purely societal construct to put humans into categories.
Race was created to support racism. As opponents to racism, we can start dismantling race, by first providing the option not to label each other in these ways.
I feel the government should do this as they have stated that they are dedicated to combating racism. Race itself is not backed up by solid science, it is a purely societal construct to put humans into categories.
Race was created to support racism. As opponents to racism, we can start dismantling race, by first providing the option not to label each other in these ways.
Timeline
| 8 Oct 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 8 Apr 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
33
Status
Closed
Department
Cabinet Office
Opened
8 Oct 2020
Closed
8 Apr 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.