The whole taxonomical system classifying people in the US requires significant overhaul, it's incredibly inaccurate and imprecise. Given our level of technology and knowledge, this shouldn't be a problem; however, I think a sunk cost fallacy significantly bogs down progress on this front. Reasons for this include, but aren't limited to, academic reputations, political capital and strategies, and wealth invested into the current taxonomical system. People who are heavily invested in it do not want to give it up or acknowledge its faults, especially if they're benefiting from it.

Let's use a Middle Eastern person as an example. They're geographically from Asia, but aren't considered Asian, and have significantly differentiated cultures from what is traditionally considered "Asian" culture. Then, the US largely classifies them as white independent of how "white-passing" they are. I'm just baffled in general by it all at this point.

US racial categorizations are too fuzzy as concepts to warrant seriousness in defining people. Yet, despite this, people heavily invested in this want to perpetuate and solidify information like:

https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/926/d5f/a334baf0d43cd480b3ea...

Which starts to explain why they want to discriminate against Asians for perceived cultural similarities with what they consider "white culture."

It's frustrating to watch unfold.