Sowell: The Demand for Villains

Creators Syndicate ^ | January 26, 2016 | Thomas Sowell

[jazusamo]

The latest tempest in a teapot controversy is over a lack of black nominees for this year's Academy Awards in Hollywood.

The assumption seems to be that different groups would be proportionally represented if somebody were not doing somebody else wrong. That assumption carries great weight in far more important things than Academy Awards and in places more important than Hollywood, including the Supreme Court of the United States.

In an earlier era, the groupthink assumption was that groups that did not succeed as often, or as well, were genetically inferior. But is our current groupthink assumption based on any more hard evidence?

Having spent decades researching racial and ethnic groups around the world, I have never yet found a country in which all groups -- or even most groups -- are even roughly equally represented in most endeavors.

Nor have I been the only one with that experience. The great French historian Fernand Braudel said, "In no society have all regions and all parts of the population developed equally." A study of military forces around the world failed to find a single one in which in which the ethnic makeup of the military was the same as that of the society.

My own favorite example of unrepresentativeness, however, is right at home. Having watched National Football League games for more than 50 years, I have seen hundreds of black players score touchdowns, but I have never seen one black player kick the extra point.

What are we to conclude from this? Do those who believe in genetics think that blacks are just genetically incapable of kicking a football?

[jazusamo]

*PING*
Thomas Sowell

[EternalHope]

I used to care what he had to say.

[rwilson99]

At least one... From Nigeria.

Then again, it’s not like the Buccaneers of that era were on Monday Night Football or a big marquee matchup on Sunday broadcast nationwide.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Igwebuike

[rwilson99]

Thou shalt not often Dear Poll Leader (pbuh)

[Iron Munro]

Blacks can have 13% of the Academy Awards if they will agree to roll back their numbers in the NBA and NFL to 13%.

[jazusamo]

I don’t believe I’ve seen anything more ridiculous than this Academy Award affirmative action fiasco.

[C. Edmund Wright]

how can you post something by Thomas Sowell....the trumpettes have declared him idiotic and an establishment elitist hack.......

[jazusamo]

Easy, and I support Trump/Cruz. :)

[VRWCmember]

I used to care what he had to say.

What happened to cause your change in perspective?

[jazusamo]

Please bump the Freepathon or click above to donate or become a monthly donor!

[Starstruck]

I used to care what he had to say.

And I'm dismissing your comment out of hand because I don't agree with you. Isn't life so much better when we can not listen to each other? No need to comment. In fact we could divide FR up into Forums dedicated to "only if you agree with this".

[C. Edmund Wright]

hah....being a tad facetious.....:)

[jazusamo]

I know you were. :)

[Boogieman]

Do you really have to ask? He blasphemed against Saint Trump the Anointed.

[VRWCmember]

I used to care what he had to say.

Well, in case it might help remind you why it is beneficial for folks to hear what he has to say, here are a few of his recent columns about the social and political scene. His insights and deep understanding of economics provide excellent arguments for a conservative and constitutionalist perspective -- for those around here who still have any interest in such things.

The Fact-Free Left
The Fact-Free Left: Part II
The 'Gun Control' Farce
The 'Gun Control' Farce: Part II
Attacking the Truth
Attacking the Truth: Part II
The Busybody Left
Do Emotions Trump Facts?
Do Emotions Trump Facts? Part II

[eddie willers]

I used to care what he had to say.

He still has much to say and this article is spot on.

What did he do to piss in your Cheerios?

[libertylover]

Since there have long been black colleges with football teams, have they had to import white players to do the opening kickoff, so that the games could get underway?

I remember watching a game years ago, circa 1979, EKU vs. Jackson St., a "historically black school". There was only one white guy on the whole Jackson St. team-the punter/kicker.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

Putting aside all the controversy about Sowell’s presidential picks, I absolutely love listening to him speak. He is 85 years old and still is sharp and clear in his analysis of issues. And he presents it so well and so directly. No BS. And his command of facts and ability to marshal them for use in his argument is amazing.

[jazusamo]

After I read that I thought about it. Used to be an avid football fan both college and pro and I can’t remember a black kicker, I do remember many kickers were former soccer players.