Quick history of Racism

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  • Frank W
    Confirmed User
    • Feb 2002
    • 889

    #1

    Quick history of Racism

    http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/e...ks/3528502.htm
    "If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isn't part of ourselves doesn't disturb us." -- Herman Hesse
  • UnseenWorld
    Confirmed User
    • May 2001
    • 5279

    #2
    "Race" is one of those terms that seems almost incapable of definition. At least, we can't seem to agree on what it is. There are a wide variety of skin tones among native Africans. In India, people who are clearly of a totally different ethnic heritage can be quite dark skinned. Ditto for Pacific Islands and the natives of Australia. So, race isn't based on skin color.

    "Anti-semitism" is used to refer to those who hate Jews, but it isn't a very accurate term, since both Jews and Arabs are "semites" (descendants of Shem, the eldest son of Noah). Right now, the most active anti-Jews, the Palestinian arabs, are semites themselves!

    Geneticists will tell you that there is no "race gene" and that race is a social concept, not a genetic one. Overall, there are greater differences between individuals in any supposed race than there are between the average member of any two races.

    "Race" is a concept that has to be believed in on the basis of faith.
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    • Frank W
      Confirmed User
      • Feb 2002
      • 889

      #3
      Good points. However, "race" does exist. Even if there is no genetic basis for it, there sure is a POLITICAL basis for it. Government programs, affirmative action, etc etc is based on it. Ever wonder how many jobs would be lost if "race" ceased to exist as a political reality? I'm not just talking about race baiters like Sharpton, Jackson, and Farrakhan et al, I'm talking about census takers, college "outreach" officers, and numerous bureaucrats.

      Originally posted by UnseenWorld
      "Race" is one of those terms that seems almost incapable of definition. At least, we can't seem to agree on what it is. There are a wide variety of skin tones among native Africans. In India, people who are clearly of a totally different ethnic heritage can be quite dark skinned. Ditto for Pacific Islands and the natives of Australia. So, race isn't based on skin color.

      "Anti-semitism" is used to refer to those who hate Jews, but it isn't a very accurate term, since both Jews and Arabs are "semites" (descendants of Shem, the eldest son of Noah). Right now, the most active anti-Jews, the Palestinian arabs, are semites themselves!

      Geneticists will tell you that there is no "race gene" and that race is a social concept, not a genetic one. Overall, there are greater differences between individuals in any supposed race than there are between the average member of any two races.

      "Race" is a concept that has to be believed in on the basis of faith.
      "If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isn't part of ourselves doesn't disturb us." -- Herman Hesse

      Comment

      • UnseenWorld
        Confirmed User
        • May 2001
        • 5279

        #4
        Originally posted by Frank W
        Good points. However, "race" does exist. Even if there is no genetic basis for it, there sure is a POLITICAL basis for it. Government programs, affirmative action, etc etc is based on it. Ever wonder how many jobs would be lost if "race" ceased to exist as a political reality? I'm not just talking about race baiters like Sharpton, Jackson, and Farrakhan et al, I'm talking about census takers, college "outreach" officers, and numerous bureaucrats.

        That's the "social fiction" part. It exists socially but not scientifically. Too bad that most of the efforts made to help people suffering from this fiction function to prop up the myth that causes the damage in the first place.
        SIG TOO BIG! Maximum 120x60 button and no more than 3 text lines of DEFAULT SIZE and COLOR. Unless your sig is for a GFY top banner sponsor, then you may use a 624x80 instead of a 120x60.

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        • Frank W
          Confirmed User
          • Feb 2002
          • 889

          #5
          Originally posted by UnseenWorld


          That's the "social fiction" part. It exists socially but not scientifically. Too bad that most of the efforts made to help people suffering from this fiction function to prop up the myth that causes the damage in the first place.
          Yep. Its a vicious cycle...downwards.
          "If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isn't part of ourselves doesn't disturb us." -- Herman Hesse

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