What u all think about these facts on race

1. Race matters today, but the concept of "race" didn't always exist
Fact: The ancient Greeks classified people according to culture and language, not according to physical differences. Foreigners, including Africans, were accepted as Greek citizens so long as they assimilated - i.e. learned the language and adopted similar customs and styles of dress.

2. Slavery is not inextricably linked with the concept of race
Fact: Both Greece and Rome enslaved people on the basis of battles won/lost; this was regardless of appearance. When the concept of "freedom" was introduced during the American Revolution, it shone a spotlight on the young nation's key moral contradiction: how could the concepts of freedom, equality, and natural rights of man stand alongside the practice of slavery? The growing notions of race and racial inferiority helped to resolve this contradiction by depicting Africans as different, separate from, and less deserving of the same rights that European settlers enjoyed.

3. There is no single genetic marker for race - race has no genetic basis Fact: Throughout history, the search for “race” was fueled by preconceived ideas about “superiority.” Early "scientists" validated racial hierarchy, but modern scientists have discovered and continue to prove that no single gene, trait or characteristic distinguishes one race from another; two reasons: 1) human beings haven't been around long enough to evolve into subspecies, and 2) human beings have always been mobile, mixing genes with different populations. Genes are inherited independently. Race is a socially constructed concept, which over time has served as key support for social and political interests.

4. Although we behave as if race matters a lot, most variation occurs within racesFact: 85% of human genetic variation exists within any given population - whether Italian, Chinese, or Korean - than between. Two Chinese mean are likely to be as genetically different as a Chinese man and an Italian man.

5. Despite the lack of scientific evidence, race matters
Fact: Race continues to be a powerful factor in determining which groups have access to resources and opportunities. The effects of past divisive social and political policies continue to be felt; the goal of a "colorblind" society will not ameliorate these effects. Pretending that race doesn't matter does not equate with treating people equally. Instead, the identification and reshaping of social policies that continue to advantage or disadvantage certain groups must be undertaken.

6. Race classification is a political, not a scientific or biological matter
Fact: Because race is a political and social issue, definitions and classification systems differ from one country to another. For example, Brazil has many more racial categories than the U.S., and Haiti has a vastly different definition of "white" than the U.S.

7. Race matters today, but the interesting fact is, we are all mixed
Fact: Humans have been mixing for centuries, and when you consider that evolutionary biologists have shown that we are all descendents of the original peoples of Africa, it is easier to understand just how closely connected we all are. New DNA home tests, although they are currently considered controversial, have resulted in fascinating findings for a vast number of Americans who have traced their DNA to foreign countries and cultures all over the globe.

8. Racial classifications have consistently changed over time
Fact: who's white, who's black, who's Asian have all changed just within the highly politicized American racial classification system. A close look at the highly imperfect classification system in use today reveals an incomplete map and an inconsistent application of guidelines and definitions. For example, in order to claim identity as an "American Indian" one must earn it; they must prove tribal membership or a minimum percentage of blood relation. On the other hand, to classify as "Black or African American" all that's necessary is a single "drop," or one ancestor, and the option of choice in identity is removed.

9. Race is a double-edged swordFact: Although the system itself lacks any biological or scientific basis and has been used primarily as tool for restricting access to resources and opportunities, we cannot simply do away with it in one fell swoop. The fact remains, that systems and institutions based on these classifications continue to reinforce opportunities (or lack thereof) among certain groups. Without tracking the effects of these institutions and biased systems, we would not have any way to identify whether or not we, as a society, had truly reached the goal of equality.

10. Racial categories lack neutrality and objectivity
Fact: racial categories (along with their definitions) were constructed and reconstructed to support shifting political goals and, most often, specifically for the purpose of excluding certain groups. For example, in the 1900s U.S. courts decided who was legally "white" to determine naturalization rights; these ever-shifting decisions were most often arbitrary and/or contradictory.

 

Those are facts. Thank you for reminding us that those are facts.

The Sun will rise tomorrow. What do you think of this?

 

1. Race matters today, but the concept of "race" didn't always exist
Fact: The ancient Greeks classified people according to culture and language, not according to physical differences. Foreigners, including Africans, were accepted as Greek citizens so long as they assimilated - i.e. learned the language and adopted similar customs and styles of dress.

-This is obviously bullshit. Race has always mattered... there are millions of examples of racism dating way back past biblical times.

2. Slavery is not inextricably linked with the concept of race
Fact: Both Greece and Rome enslaved people on the basis of battles won/lost; this was regardless of appearance. When the concept of "freedom" was introduced during the American Revolution, it shone a spotlight on the young nation's key moral contradiction: how could the concepts of freedom, equality, and natural rights of man stand alongside the practice of slavery? The growing notions of race and racial inferiority helped to resolve this contradiction by depicting Africans as different, separate from, and less deserving of the same rights that European settlers enjoyed.

-Fairly true... but slaves have always been seen as inferior. Hell, even people from a different country or religion are still seen as inferior by most people in this world, no matter their race... there has not been much progress made.

3. There is no single genetic marker for race - race has no genetic basis Fact: Throughout history, the search for “race” was fueled by preconceived ideas about “superiority.” Early "scientists" validated racial hierarchy, but modern scientists have discovered and continue to prove that no single gene, trait or characteristic distinguishes one race from another; two reasons: 1) human beings haven't been around long enough to evolve into subspecies, and 2) human beings have always been mobile, mixing genes with different populations. Genes are inherited independently. Race is a socially constructed concept, which over time has served as key support for social and political interests.

-Sure.

4. Although we behave as if race matters a lot, most variation occurs within racesFact: 85% of human genetic variation exists within any given population - whether Italian, Chinese, or Korean - than between. Two Chinese mean are likely to be as genetically different as a Chinese man and an Italian man.

-Genetics have never mattered much when it came to social issues. Actually, genetics weren't even considered as a factor until a couple of dozen years ago.

5. Despite the lack of scientific evidence, race matters
Fact: Race continues to be a powerful factor in determining which groups have access to resources and opportunities. The effects of past divisive social and political policies continue to be felt; the goal of a "colorblind" society will not ameliorate these effects. Pretending that race doesn't matter does not equate with treating people equally. Instead, the identification and reshaping of social policies that continue to advantage or disadvantage certain groups must be undertaken.

-The polit-correctness in the US is only encouraging racism. Such things as black pride, white pride, asian pride, mexican pride, etc are destructive to all of humanity.

6. Race classification is a political, not a scientific or biological matter
Fact: Because race is a political and social issue, definitions and classification systems differ from one country to another. For example, Brazil has many more racial categories than the U.S., and Haiti has a vastly different definition of "white" than the U.S.

-Yep, wasn't this already stated?

7. Race matters today, but the interesting fact is, we are all mixed
Fact: Humans have been mixing for centuries, and when you consider that evolutionary biologists have shown that we are all descendents of the original peoples of Africa, it is easier to understand just how closely connected we all are. New DNA home tests, although they are currently considered controversial, have resulted in fascinating findings for a vast number of Americans who have traced their DNA to foreign countries and cultures all over the globe.

-Yet again, this plays no role in social matters, it's completely irrelevant.

8. Racial classifications have consistently changed over time
Fact: who's white, who's black, who's Asian have all changed just within the highly politicized American racial classification system. A close look at the highly imperfect classification system in use today reveals an incomplete map and an inconsistent application of guidelines and definitions. For example, in order to claim identity as an "American Indian" one must earn it; they must prove tribal membership or a minimum percentage of blood relation. On the other hand, to classify as "Black or African American" all that's necessary is a single "drop," or one ancestor, and the option of choice in identity is removed.

-I myself like the "other" option... I think everyone who is not 100% "pure bred" should pick that one out... fucking the statistics up is fun.

9. Race is a double-edged swordFact: Although the system itself lacks any biological or scientific basis and has been used primarily as tool for restricting access to resources and opportunities, we cannot simply do away with it in one fell swoop. The fact remains, that systems and institutions based on these classifications continue to reinforce opportunities (or lack thereof) among certain groups. Without tracking the effects of these institutions and biased systems, we would not have any way to identify whether or not we, as a society, had truly reached the goal of equality.

-With today's polit-correctness in the world of business and employment, a straight healthy white male is the most disadvantages of all people.

10. Racial categories lack neutrality and objectivity
Fact: racial categories (along with their definitions) were constructed and reconstructed to support shifting political goals and, most often, specifically for the purpose of excluding certain groups. For example, in the 1900s U.S. courts decided who was legally "white" to determine naturalization rights; these ever-shifting decisions were most often arbitrary and/or contradictory.

-Every government decision in history is arbitrary, and many are contradictory.



Point being... Racial equality will not be established in today's world. You cannot force it upon people, and there is such an extreme lack of education both at home and at schools that the idea is extremely utopic. People like to feel superior and people tend to segregate themselves and others... it's a sad world. The Civil Rights movement did something beautiful for the US, but it did not eliminate racism... it just took it off the streets... which, in this world... is probably the best it's gonna be.

 

Congratulations you’re officially a man, how does it feel to be a cynic?

or should I call you a realist


Hotwater

 

Haha

I think that I just learned how to project my idealism at more plausible causes.

 

If this isnt about tire smokin and some good racin, I will pass on this race issue. I might read it though.

 

It takes a real, whole person to promulgate reality.

OTOH, it takes a real moron to constantly point out the differences in people instead of accepting people and loving them unconditionally. Stop waving your race in people's faces and they'll stop seeing you as different (when in fact we're ALL in the human race).

I've always said that the only way we'll overcome racism is to fuck until we're all the same color. I'll add to that the old adage that none of us are free until all of us are free.

 

Oh man... that's awfully true.

 

Or a common enemy :H

What we really need is an invasion from mars


Hotwater

 

It'd be a lot harder to have racism if people stopped segregating THEMSELVES. That's all I have to state on this issue.

 

exactly if theres no genetic basis for race whats the point in racial identity, saying i am white i am black i am asian i am arab is saying i am different from you so please hate me for how i am different instead of love for how i am simular
take a mixed family is your dad your black dad or just your dad is your mom your wite mom or just your mom is your sister your brown or mixed sister or just your sister? and if your mother father brother & sister are just who they are then why would the korean guy next door not just be the guy next door? its not only classifying others according to race that needs to end but classifying ourselves.
theres only 1 race, human
now theres a difference in coulture which is different then race, & can be equaly dammaging when cultural & racial identities get mixed in together.

 

Only in unionized jobs and jobs that receive governmental funding, from what I can tell.

 

Mostly...

Especially because private business owners can reject someone for being "overqualified", even though the actuall reason is race...

Yet, a black man, per example, can still raise the concern that he was not hired because of race... while a white man does not have that option.

 

Here's an old-new idea:

How about we just put all that stupid shit behind us and give up these 18th century notions and everybody love each other? And let's sing a song, dammit!

I'm so sick of all the news on T.V.
All this fighting got me going crazy
And someone wrote on my car "Please clean me"
Now I know what I got to do.
Listen everybody I'm talking to you.

Let's have a car wash for peace.
There's trouble in the Middle East.
There will be no more wars,
Or dirty cars.
Car wash for peace.

Just remember -
We got to get together
In the parking lot across from WalMart Supercenter
Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, C'mon all you Hindu dudes!
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!

Let's have a car wash for peace.
There's trouble in the Middle East.
Got to put down those guns,
Pick up a sponge.
Car wash for peace.

Let's have a car wash for peace.
There's trouble in the Middle East.
There will be no more wars,
Or dirty cars.
Car wash for peace.