Statistiques ethniques: Tabous et boutades

Abstract

Statistical taboos have always existed, but vary according to the country and the time. In France, the controversy around so-called "ethnical" statistics is particularly intense. Revived by the set-up of a study by the INED, "trajectories and origins", about life paths of immigrants and immigrants' children, debates also gained strength as a law was prepared by the ministry in charge of immigration and became very harsh. On the one hand, some are persuaded that measuring and identifying origins would reveal discriminations and enable to fight unequal treatment linked to these differences (eventually by encouraging positive discrimination). On the other hand, some perceive "ethno-racial" identification to be contrary to the Republican principle of non-discrimination. They highlight the risk of reinforcing racist stereotypes by presenting an ethnical vision of society as banal. Such an approach would furthermore play against an in-depth analysis of social inequalities. Statistical categories remain social constructions that are particularly difficult when it comes to physical or personal criteria, as blurred and disputable as ethnic origin and/or color of skin. Can any question be asked in a statistical enquiry? This is similar to the humorists' dilemma: can one laugh about everything?