A Subversive Idea - The End of Race

Post Chronicle ^ | 2/13/06 | John Conlin

[John Conlin]

What if many of the things you thought were true simply weren’t? Could you let go of your old beliefs? Would you? What if they struck at the core of some of your most basic concepts of self? In earlier times people have confronted this unnerving reality, generally as the scientific revolution rolled over their old ideas. We seem to think we are immune, that everything we know is the truth.

Thomas Kuhn, in his transforming The Structure of Scientific Revolutions argues that science is not a steady, cumulative acquisition of knowledge. Instead, “science is a series of peaceful interludes punctuated by intellectually violent revolutions”. After such revolutions, “one conceptual world view is replaced by another”. It is time for another revolution and this one involves the entire concept of race.

[John Conlin]

The concept of black and white races is a historical artifact that should thrown in the dust bin of history.

[D.P.Roberts]

Where can I get what you're smoking?

[mnehring]

The concept of black and white races is a historical artifact that should thrown in the dust bin of history.

Perfectly said.. there are more genetic differences between individuals than there are the differences we define as 'race'. The entire concept of race is propogated by those who want control by sticking everyone in a box and blaming other 'races' for keeping them down.

[bikepacker67]

Hmmm... if there is no difference between blacks and whites, how come nearly every sport that uses speed, jumping ability and/or strength is disproportionately represented by blacks?

[mc6809e]

The concept of black and white races is a historical artifact that should thrown in the dust bin of history.

Race is as real as pressure or temperature. It is not a historical artifact. It emerges out of the observation that people can often be grouped together by their physical similarities.

There's even genetic support for the idea. Police have actually used DNA to identify both the victims and perpetrators of crime.

[sumocide]

there are more genetic differences between individuals than there are the differences we define as 'race'.

These differences are quantitative not qualitative and therefore not useful to decide anything.

Researchers usually won't touch the question of measurable qualitive differences with a 10 foot pole. For good reason.

[rich2u]

You are correct when you say there are larger differences genetically between individuals of a race versus another person of a different race. however there are consistent genetic markers that differ from race to race. Drug manufacturers are finding drugs that don't work on whites as well as on blacks. To say there is no difference is absurd. Ever see a dog thats never been exposed to a person of color react to them, they have a odor which is significantly different as well.

[bubman]

bump

[NonValueAdded]

As well, now that interracial marriage is the norm rather than the exception, preferences become harder and harder to administer. The ultimate in irony is that legal definitions of "black", "Hawaiian" etc., will have to be codified again in law. Think this is absurd? Look at the legislation proposed to carve out a Hawaiian nation for those with 1/25th (great-grandparent) Hawaiian ancestry. (a bill that's pure Akaka :) ). What happens when a child with one black grandparent applies for an African-American scholarship and sues when told they aren't eligible? Race will always exist as a genetic identity but it will fade as a societal discriminator over time.

[Fielding]

I find the argument presented in this article bothersome. It seems to stem from the "junk DNA" school of thought. I don't claim to understand junk DNA, but I am fairly certain that those who label is as JUNK don't understand it either. If they don't understand it, it must be junk.

[Theoden]

I agree with you in that there are no races. There is only one human race. However, there are ethnicities, and "sub-races", that have differing genetic traits and characteristics.
Human Race --> Sub-Race --> Ethnicities
I am half Scandinavian and half Irish. These are ethnicities belonging to the sub-races, of being Germanic and Celtic, which in turn are of the human race. Sub-races vary throughout the world, depending on where one is located, and where one's ancestors come from.

Ethnicities are commonly used in stereotypes, and as we know, stereotypes do have an element of truth to them. What would you think I look like if I told you I was Scandinavian? Short, dark skinned, and dark eyed? I don't think so. I don't like racists, and I don't believe any one group is better than the other, but I am simply comfortable with my own kind, as are most other people in this world. (Some people might view my opinion as being ethnocentric, I can assure you, it is not!)This is just my opinion on this matter.

[Tulane]

No true, look at international soccer...best teams are often German, French, Italian, Brazilian, Argentinian....

[MEGoody]

Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton deeply saddened.

[ncpatriot]

I wonder if a dog who had never been around white people would react when exposed to one?

[Potowmack]

Hmmm... if there is no difference between blacks and whites, how come nearly every sport that uses speed, jumping ability and/or strength is disproportionately represented by blacks?

That may be true in this country (though not all sports- think hockey) it isn't true internationally.

There is a large cultural factor to why blacks in America are over-represented in sports. For good or bad, a high percentage of poorer black kids think that the only route out of poverty is sports (and entertainment, another area where black Americans are prominent).

[Tulane]

Very true...look at all the Europeans/South Americans that are coming to the NBA and, dare I say, DOMINATING.

[bikepacker67]

That may be true in this country (though not all sports- think hockey) it isn't true internationally.

It certainly is in long distance running.

[Jack Black]

book mark

[RedRightReturn]

"Hmmm... if there is no difference between blacks and whites, how come nearly every sport that uses speed, jumping ability and/or strength is disproportionately represented by blacks?"

And why do blacks get sickle cell anemia and Jews get Tay Sachs?

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Hmmm... if there is no difference between blacks and whites, how come nearly every sport that uses speed, jumping ability and/or strength is disproportionately represented by blacks?

Honkies still have hockey and lacrosse!