Acknowledging that genes surely play variable roles in various aspects of intelligence does not lead (as critics assume) automatically to a crassly racist viewpoint. It strikes me as likely that some ethnic groups may do a little better than others in one aspect of intelligence, and worse in others.
And even if one group scores lower, since when should we value a person simply based on some measure of their intelligence? I've been blessed to know some people with Down's syndrome that I subjectively value more than many an academic I've known. In any event, the old evolutionary racist notion that blacks and other non-whites were little advanced from monkeys is no longer accepted by any sane person; no one blinks at the thought that a person from Tasmania or Patagonia or Congo could be a perfectly competent rocket scientist or surgeon if circumstances permit. The differences across the human race are minor.
“The differences across the human race are minor.”
“Minor” or not, those differences are enough to freak out a lot of people.
Just one data point on SAT scores in the United States.
Scores above 1400:
24% of Asians
7% of Whites
2% of Hispanics
1% of Blacks
You can argue all day about heredity vs environment, but even if heredity was responsible for a small portion of the difference the left’s brains would explode.
I think environment plays a huge role, as well as family. Mostly, I think the subject is a huge Gordian knot waiting for an Alexander weilding a sword.
I believe that both play a part.
Genetics is the foundation. Environment is the house.
An otherwise brilliant child can have their cognitive development impaired by improper nutrition, neglect, lack of resources, medical issues, crappy schools, etc. They may ultimately escape these horrific circumstances but their chances of reaching maximum potential are nonetheless hobbled.
Conversely, a brilliant child who is raised in a healthy, nurturing environment with resources, good food, attentive parents, good schools, etc. can excel.
My father was a member of Mensa. All of my children have high IQs. All 3 have some form of Asbergers, like me. Thankfully, my husband and I were in a position to put them into great schools, supplement their learning, encourage their growth, and prepare them for the future.
My oldest went to regional and state competitions for academic excellence.
My youngest child does not score well on standardized tests, but can build servers, write code, draft white papers, and hacked the science lab portal in the 4th grade. They had to test him using a different methodology because his mind processes information in an atypical fashion. His average is 100.4 across his report card, but he will probably bomb on the SATs.