State Your Unpopular Opinions

I don't agree.

 

Physical differences between populations of humans is biological fact, but in science a race is a subclassification of a subspecies. Homo sapiens are not a subspecies. Therefpre, race, in the scientific sense, doesn't apply. It's the result of the missunderstanding of a scientific term, much like the word "theory."

So, while division among populations--and recognition of, and reaction to--said division is completely natural, the idea of different races of humans is either a social construct or a gross missapplication of a scientific term.

 

you're not wet if you're in water..

 

Already posted.

Fair enough.

 

Okay

That's all just a taxonomical hypothesis devised by scientists who are fallible. A lot of science is just a linguistic construct. If I say I am of a different race to an Australian aboriginal then I don't think I am saying anything categorically untrue.

 

Referring to someone from Europe as a European is the same thing as referring to someone from Asia as an Asian

Would you have the same pc reaction to someone being referred to as a European, why not?

As hard as you try there is an implicit type of racism there

 

So I wonder, are Beagles and German Shepherds two 'races' of dog?

 

Well yes you could say they are in common parlance.

 

I'd say so, yes. When it comes to dogs we just call them breeds though.

 

It perplexes me when people try to invert the very foundations of language and meaning itself in the cause of some fadish politically correct agenda.

 

And then there are the elves....

 

I fucking hate Dubstep!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I think we should agree that racism is bad. I think we're assuming a lot that it's okay with all of these different ethnicities that they are grouped together under a convenient umbrella term. It isn't to their advantage, and many don't even realize it ("Crazy Rich Asians" is an obvious example.) .

I'm not sure if we're agreeing that racism is bad, should be avoided/eradicated, etc., but I'm glad you think it's implicit. I think it's paramount to sort of stifle casual attitudes about it in fact. I have plenty to say about this but I don't want to bore you. Europeans should be included. Diversity is where it counts! I really don't want to bore you though.

I guess it seems like there are fewer racial slurs/stereotypes about Europeans, thus less need to be so pc. Are they this or that? I don't think anything about them. Of course I'm into their techno music so who knows... (which is a stereotype: Europeans like techno. so there you have it!) maybe I don't have a clue!

Fair is fair VG. I will try to be more considerate of Europeans and their various cultures/nationalities/ethnicities.

Here is something I found accurate in my good book Race in America!

The point of that is that white-ness is often invisible, even as it pertains to our discussion of Europe and its inhabitants.And people are ever so willing to just let it slide...

 

"Diversity". Yet everyone "the same." See the disconnect? I don't get it.

 

I think the idea is we're the same in our humanity but not in our individuality. A both/and scenario.

 

AAA Statement on Race - Connect with AAA

The text goes on and on about there being little science to back up the so-called "race" claims that some would make. There is less in common between members of the same race than there is with members of the same height essentially. AAA is the American Anthropological Association. They are a very scientific group who essentially says that what forensic anthropology offers about skulls/skeletal remains isn't the end all of the discussion by any means.

I hope that no one got the impression by one of our members' comments about a medical examiner being able to determine race from skeletal remains that race is any less mythical. It is something we invented to organize our thoughts around different groups of people.

 

No one is saying everyone is the same, just the opposite. we're saying there is so much genetic variation and diversity that it doesnt make sense to try to force everyone into 4 distinct racial categorizations.

Well thats what i'm saying at any rate

 

Okay. I'm not that bothered really.

 

GOOD