scientifically race doesnt exist, page 1

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scientifically race doesnt exist

Topic started on 2-12-2008 @ 03:05 AM by iesus_freak
i dont know if this is the right place to put this but... ij saw this on the internet and thought i should get ATSers opinion on it. i pesonally think that it is very accurate and the person makes a good point (s). 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. he seems a little contradictory in some places but over all he makes a good point. Mod Edit - The rest of the article can be found here - Race - Why Race matters Mod Edit - Added correct tags, snipped article down a little added a link to the relevant site Please read - Using Content from other sites [edit on 2/1208/08 by neformore] [edit on 2-12-2008 by iesus_freak]
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reply posted on 4-12-2008 @ 08:15 PM by Chaoticar
Wow, that was so full of fallacies and contradictions that I'm amazed anyone had the gall to post it. Contradiction: 3. There is no single genetic marker for race - race has no genetic basis 7. Race matters today, but the interesting fact is, we are all mixed So wait: There's no genetic basis to race, yet "controversial" ("controversial", as said tests often displayed amazingly high portions of foreign DNA in any sample population - a test on the recently "discovered" South American tribe that was in the news a few months ago would probably find that 24% had East Asian ancestry, 57% Sub-Saharan Ancestry, 12% Northern European ancestry, 78% penguin ancestry...) DNA home tests 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.? 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. Apparently, because Brazil and Haiti have "different definitions of what 'white' consitutes" race doesn't exist? If Nation X and Nation Y have different background myths for their respective thunder gods religion doesn't exist? What's even better is that there's no supporting evidence for any of these "facts" - it basically amounts to race doesn't exist BECAUSE I SAY IT DOESN'T!
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