Everyday Racism Or Sensible Business Practices?

[sp1814]

I’m going for the former.

This is clearly prejudiced behaviour (in that the waiter was prejudging the customers based on their race alone).

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43954750

[sp1814]

v_e

Yes, eugenics works for race horses.

But then again, so does a diet of hay. Doesn’t necessarily mean what’s good for them should be applied to humans.

[vetuste_ennemi]

12:04. Yes, it is, SP.

My eugenics question was addressed to Jim. Your "put-down" shows you've missed the point (Jim won't have). Perhaps you should look at the history of eugenics.

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// Without repeating the removed post, can you re-word it in such a way that the site’s rules are not violated? ///

I am sorry sp but I can't because to my knowledge I did not break any Site Rules, unless stating certain published facts are against this site's rules.

Question them by all means, but to remove them before anyone can question them, seems rather strange.

[Jackdaw33]

Talk about storm in a teacup! Storm in a demitasse more like.

[anotheoldgit]

jim360

/// I very much doubt they were "facts", AOG. They were racism dressed up as "rationality"; such attitudes should have died when eugenics was thoroughly discredited. ///

You are spinning around in circles once again, where did I suggest improving any population by controlled breeding?

[anotheoldgit]

spathiphyllum

And you are perfectly true in what you say, the female Nigerian bobsled team came last.

/// Nigeria’s women’s bobsled team, the first ever from the country at the Winter Games, finished 20th in the overall standings out of 20 teams at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Oh dear I hope I am not accused of being racist for providing that fact?

[bhg481]

I think I first raised the point that black people of African origin tended to be better athletes than average. My definition of an athlete is someone who partakes in athletics ie, running etc. I don't class skiers as athletes in that context although, with the attempt to get playing video games into a future Olympics, the definition may have strayed from the original.

[sp1814]

v_e

“Perhaps you should look at the history of eugenics.”

There are so many things that I want to do with my life. I want to walk the Great Wall of China. I want to see the Northern Lights. I want to retire to the country, and buy a house with a massive garden. I want to see my nephews happy and settled in good jobs.

Unfortunately, during all of this - studying the history of eugenics doesn’t really get a look in.

[Mamyalynne]

Achieving landmarks, especially in the Olympics is showing spirit despite knowing you won't win.

They did that.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/feb/20/nigerians-are-first-africans-to-compete-in-bobsleigh-at-winter-olympics

[sp1814]

Black people are only better athletes than everyone else if you narrow down the definition of athletics...to running.

If, on the other hand you’re honest and include the discuss, javelin, swimming, long jump, triple jump etc - you’ll see it’s not as cut and dried as that.

[bhg481]

sp1814 - OK, narrow it down to running. You agree that they are better than average. Isn't that the point I was trying to make? Running is something anybody can indulge in without needing specialised equipment. Personal equipment might improve your performance but it isn't necessary, unlike most other sports where you need to hire a court/rent a bobsleigh/have a bike etc.

[sp1814]

bhg481

Nope. I think that there are way more things at play than simple biology. There are economics for a start, and also - very importantly...climate. Notice how successful Africans are at long distance events, but not in the 100 or 200 metres? That’d be climate. They come from countries high above the sea level, so they have the climatic advantage above other long distance runners. It’s nothing to do with them being black, more to do with where they were born and where they train.

[bhg481]

That's why I was pointing to the Black Americans, who have lived alongside the white ones for several generations and trying to make the point that it's the long-term breeding (which happens to make them black) and not the recent environment which makes them better runners.
It's certainly a fact that black people are more susceptible to sickle-cell anaemia than whites, which can only be down to breeding.

[andy-hughes]

AOG - // andy hughes

/// I am surprised at then weakness of your
argument. ///

/// Are you having an off
day? ///

Why do you find it necessary to be constantly rude to fellow ABers who happen to put up a legitimate argument to that of your own? //

Probably for the same reasons you do.

Namely - I do not accept that I was 'rude' per se, and if New Judge feels I was, I am delighted to discuss his arguments with him if he chooses to post, but will not be discussing them with you in an off-thread pointless argument.

[Jackdaw33]

If you are being chased by a lion the ability to run fast is a distinct advantage.

[sp1814]

bhg481

...but not better swimmers.

Think about the muscles used in long distance running, and those used in long distance swimming...if there is a genetic predisposition to athletic ability - the same should be true beyond the realms of running.

[steg]

//If you are being chased by a lion the ability to run fast is a distinct advantage.//

Aye I find it’s the same when chased by haggis

[Mamyalynne]

I wonder if the have Haggis in Toronto's Chinatown Steg?

That's where this marathon began.