Open Question: Why do job applications ask for your race and gender?

Well I was in a Life skills class. And our teacher was teaching us how to fill out job applications. She said''Don't forget to check what gender and race you are''. I never understood why that was necessary, It's not like you will perform better or be smarter because of your skin color or gender. So I asked ''Why do we have to fill that?'' and she said ''So they can identify you better.'' That just puzzled me but I didn't want to argue with her so I just left it alone. This happened a couple of months ago before school ended. And last night on Black America, they were talking about how it's harder for black men to find a decent job. So my question is why must you put your race or gender on job application? And do you agree that t is harder for minorities to get decent jobs because of their skin color? And also with the test FCAT. They make you put your race and gender. Why is that?