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     Tonya AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Tonya Post Number: 3394 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
Some white Americans still believe blacks have a genetic advantage in athletics, according to U-M survey Date: 2006-10-12 Distributed by: Media-Newswire.com NEW ORLEANS – Researchers know there is no scientific evidence for genetic differences between racial groups when it comes to athletic ability, but apparently some of the American public isn’t getting the message (Media-Newswire.com) - Whites’ belief in genetic superiority of black athletes is associated with prejudice and negative stereotypes, U-M study finds Based on results from a recent University of Michigan study, 74 percent of white men and 65 percent of white women surveyed believe that blacks are at least somewhat genetically and biologically superior to whites when it comes to athletics. The survey also found that whites who believe in genetic differences in athleticism are more likely to express prejudice toward and negative stereotypes about blacks. Results from the U-M survey of a representative sample of 600 white Americans will be presented Oct. 11 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics taking place in New Orleans. “The message for geneticists is that we need to be very careful when we discuss genetic differences involving human characteristics and traits,” says Elizabeth M. Petty, M.D., an associate professor of internal medicine and human genetics in the U-M Medical School. “It’s important to keep in mind how genetics can easily be misinterpreted by the media and the public in a way that may perpetuate racial stereotypes.” Other U-M researchers who developed and conducted the study are Jane P. Sheldon, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at the University of Michigan – Dearborn, and Toby Epstein Jayaratne, Ph.D., an assistant research scientist in the U-M School of Public Health. According to the researchers, genetic explanations for perceived racial differences can become a “legitimizing myth,” which can be used to justify the dominance of one group of individuals over another. A belief in the genetic superiority of black athletes is like a backhanded compliment, according to the researchers, because while it congratulates blacks for their athletic success, it can also erroneously imply that blacks have less intelligence and don’t have to work as hard to succeed as white athletes do. “Our society often views intelligence and athleticism as being inversely related,” Petty says. “So, unfortunately, whites are seen by some as having the brains, while blacks have the brawn.” This negative stereotypical view permeates media coverage of athletics and can perpetuate the myth of “natural” black athletic superiority in the minds of the general public. “Race should never be an issue in media sports coverage,” Petty says. “But in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, reporters don’t miss an opportunity to draw attention to the color of an athlete’s skin, while the importance of other factors like upbringing, education and social environment may not be discussed.” “Of course, several factors – likely including genetic factors – contribute to athletic success,” Petty adds. “But any genetic differences are variations between individuals, rather than groups. Every human trait is the result of a combination of individual genetic and environmental factors, plus personal choice. A lot of things go into making an outstanding athlete, but the notion of race is not one of them.” Data presented at the ASHG meeting is part of a larger study investigating the genetic beliefs and attitudes of 600 self-identified white Americans and 600 self-identified black Americans. White participants were selected using random digit dialing methods. Trained professional interviewers conducted 40-minute interviews by telephone. Forty black and forty white respondents were contacted later for more detailed, in-depth interviews. In addition to asking questions to measure their belief in genetic race differences in athleticism, the interviewers also collected information on respondents’ age, level of education, political orientation, religiosity and region of residence. Additional questions were designed to detect levels of racial prejudice and negative stereotypes. In addition to a strong belief in a genetic race difference in athleticism, statistical analysis of the survey data showed that older age, southern residence and conservative political orientation were predictive of racial prejudice in white men, while older age, less education and increased religiosity were predictive of prejudice in white women. The study found no significant difference between how white men’s and white women’s beliefs in a genetic basis for race and athleticism related to prejudice and stereotypes. “Our data shouldn’t be interpreted to mean that all Americans feel this way,” cautions Petty. “It’s a snapshot in time of the attitudes and beliefs of a small, but representative, sample. “These preliminary observations are important, however, because they indicate that public perceptions of genetic differences between races can reinforce racial prejudice and stereotyping, which has negative implications for society,” she adds. “It shows that we need to develop better ways to present scientific knowledge about genetics, race and human differences to the public.” Written by Sally Pobojewski You are viewing a printer friendly version. If you want to view the original release please click the link below: Original Article: http://media-newswire.com/release_1038681.html | ||
| Ntfs_encryption "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Ntfs_encryption Post Number: 965 Registered: 10-2005 Rating: N/A |
Oh well........ | ||
| Beautifulone First Time Poster Username: Beautifulone Post Number: 8 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
some people have issues they just cant get over...ho hum... | ||
| Yvettep Veteran Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 1353 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: |
This is actually a very interesting--though, granted, controversial, question. Let's say there are no inherent genetic superiority in folks of African descent. (Which would be my guess.) We could still ask: Which Africans were more likely to survive the hardships of the slave system so as to pass on their genes to future generations? One answer might be: Those Africans who were stronger, metabolized more efficiently, bounced back from injury quicker, etc than those who did not have these qualities. (Also, possibly, those Africans who were smarter, more clever at reading emotions, better at long range planning, etc. But that is another story!) So, it would not be so much a matter of African ancestry meaning "better" genes than non-African ancestry. But the natural survival mechanisms for poulations resulting in a generally hardier subpopulation in this country. It's definitely an interesting question, though my reasons for thinking it is interesting is definitely not in the same way these White respondents may have meant. Also, I bet if 600 Blacks were surveyed you'd get similar results... As a side note, I "know" Toby Epstein Jayaratne at Michigan. We have corresponed via email and phone about her work and I cited one of her sudies in my dissertation. | ||
| Yvettep Veteran Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 1354 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
Also I should note that even if my thought experiement above is correct I do not believe that gets folks (Black, WHite, whoever) off the hook for failing to acknowledge all the hard work that premier African American atheletes put in, in addition to the smarts involved in becoming a student of their sport. Also, these are HUMAN abilities, so I also do not think folks should be given a pass for calling Black atheletes "little monkeys" or using other terms and metaphors more appropriate to beasts than men and women. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 5551 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Just a passing observation; it's common for black athletes, themselves, to brag of their superior prowess, attributing it to their natural abilities. Also, physique does have a bearing on coordination, and the Negroid body is distinctly different from the Caucasoid one. The Negroid tendencey to be right-brained might also contribute to the spontaneity required to be fast and elusive. Go Bears! | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 1913 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: N/A |
Cynique - I have always believed that Blacks are smarter than white people. I'm aware that we don't have all of the same educational opportunities and that many of us don't have the time to pursue knowledge because we're out here taking care of our everyday business. But if that right-brained theory is true, then I think I might be right. Blacks think differently than white people and could be considered smarter. Thank you!!! | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 6673 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Whenever these debates and discussions about why there are proportionately more Black star Basketball and Football players than there are White ones, I immediately think about who OWN, RUN and REAP the lionshare of the WEALTH garnered via those brothas's talents. Then I think What the hell are we talking about, already? | ||
| Yvettep Veteran Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 1361 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
Follow the money...Yes, that is the other facet to all this. In slavery and now, who is reaping the financial gains--regardless of genes. Yup. Has anyone read that new book on the subject? (The title is escaping me right now...) | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 6676 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Yvettep, I would trade ALL of the combined athletic talents of ALL of the brothas in the NBA, NFL and MLB for ONE socially conscience Black Bill Gates and ONE socially conscience Black Warren Buffet. And they can be male or female. | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 3756 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: N/A |
Me too, ABM. | ||
| Tonya AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Tonya Post Number: 3409 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
"I would trade ALL of the combined athletic talents of ALL of the brothas in the NBA, NFL and MLB for ONE socially conscience Black Bill Gates and ONE socially conscience Black Warren Buffet. And they can be male or female." hear, hear | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 5556 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Nowadays, black athletes are smarter and more sophisticated; they invest their money, the fire their agents, and they seek to maintain their dignity by not taking a lotta shit. Why should they be singled out as the saviors of the race? What about all of the TV hosts, and doctors and lawyers and entertainers and Rap stars and record company moguls and CPAS??? | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 5558 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
And I forgot to mention that black athletes establish foundations in their names and encourage kids to stay in school and, above all, remember where they came from. Uplifting the black race and making it independent has to be a concerted effort that involves all of the money-makers. |
