[RobbyS]

Race should be treated as religion is. If the state wants to find out about the racial-preferences of its citizens, there are plenty of private sources of information. And as for jobs etc, people will be able to distinguish applicants by looking at surnames. Of course Asians should go into court and get their name changed to Brown and Smith, as actor of ethnic origin used to. If pictures are prohibited, lots of interviewers are going to be surprised.

[Alia]

You are right in re: religion -- who asks? It's a private matter. So should it be with race. Discovered during Prop 209? Many people with Spanish-sounding surnames got in under preferences in re admissions. However, the applicant, for example, was female, and married to a Hispanic. Fair? No. Understandable? Yes, given the nature of those little boxes...