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Oh the Humanities! Philosophy, Cultural practices, Social norms, Historical Debate, War, and Sociology.

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  #1   Add MR END to your ignore list  
Old 2008-07-30, 20:25
MR END MR END is offline
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eagan mn usa
Default What is an African American?

http://www.ketv.com/education/2783824/detail.html

He was born in Africa and yet he was suspended from school for entering a contest as a African American.
Ohhhhhh......

HE'S WHITE!!!!

If a American moves to another county, say Japan; Is he a American Japanese?

Anyways, cudos to this kid whether his intentions were good or not for doin this.
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  #2   Add Nihilist to your ignore list  
Old 2008-07-30, 23:56
Nihilist Nihilist is offline
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Send a message via ICQ to Nihilist
Default Re: What is an African American?

thats pretty funny though.
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  #3   Add KikoSanchez to your ignore list  
Old 2008-07-31, 03:22
KikoSanchez KikoSanchez is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MR END View Post
http://www.ketv.com/education/2783824/detail.html

He was born in Africa and yet he was suspended from school for entering a contest as a African American.
Ohhhhhh......

HE'S WHITE!!!!

If a American moves to another county, say Japan; Is he a American Japanese?

Anyways, cudos to this kid whether his intentions were good or not for doin this.
It's just a category, one which most people understand, but obviously this kid did not. As for the hypothetical "American Japanese," I don't know. This is a social construct made by the whole of Japanese culture. As far as I know of Japanese culture, you are a simply an outsider and a non-asian. There is some term for this, but I forget.

It's a silly term, but it is still one that is easily understood with anyone with half a brain.
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  #4   Add rusty needles to your ignore list  
Old 2008-07-31, 05:09
rusty needles rusty needles is offline
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stankonia
Default Re: What is an African American?

I don't see why he should get suspended for that. He's partially right, though he knew he was wrong. Shouldn't even be an article written about it.
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  #5   Add zik to your ignore list  
Old 2008-07-31, 07:06
zik zik is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

Quote:
Originally Posted by KikoSanchez View Post
As far as I know of Japanese culture, you are a simply an outsider and a non-asian. There is some term for this, but I forget.
Gaijin?
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  #6   Add MR END to your ignore list  
Old 2008-07-31, 07:59
MR END MR END is offline
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eagan mn usa
Default Re: What is an African American?

zik got it... :

So a "African American" needs to be black huh?

So do the Whites in Africa want to be called American Africans? Or "British Africans?
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  #7   Add Rolloffle to your ignore list  
Old 2008-07-31, 10:42
Rolloffle Rolloffle is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

Multi-culturalism, tolerance, and diversity are just euphemisms for not white, not Christian, not straight, and not normal. People are starting to realize this.
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 #8 
Old 2008-07-31, 12:19
Pink P&ther Pink P&ther is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

http://www.utexas.edu/features/2007/ancestry/graphics/ancestry5_medium.jpg
  #9   Add KikoSanchez to your ignore list  
Old 2008-08-01, 09:21
KikoSanchez KikoSanchez is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

Quote:
Originally Posted by zik View Post
Gaijin?
Ding ding ding! Also derogatory iirc.
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  #10   Add KikoSanchez to your ignore list  
Old 2008-08-01, 09:24
KikoSanchez KikoSanchez is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MR END View Post
zik got it... :

So a "African American" needs to be black huh?

Drrrr. This isn't a geographic term, it is a term associating color of skin. This is why we don't consider Turks or Saudis "Asian-Americans." It is more about generalizing looks than genetic background. I imagine most of you know this, but would rather make an issue of the false semantics involved.
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 #11 
Old 2008-08-01, 21:41
aTribeCalledSean aTribeCalledSean is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

It is more about generalizing looks than genetic background. I imagine most of you know this, but would rather make an issue of the false semantics involved.

Just as the Boy and his friends understood.

Regardless, it's hilarious and I applaud the boys for kicking up some dirt in their boring Midwestern town.

Too bad those kids are just going to end up being bitter bigots instead of clever, freethinking pranksters.
 #12 
Old 2008-08-02, 00:31
Regular
 
gloucesterVA US
Default Re: What is an African American?

I imagine most of you know this, but would rather make an issue of the false semantics involved.

It would be much more efficient to make it an issue of racism.
 #13 
Old 2008-08-02, 22:09
Regular
 
eagan mn usa
Default Re: What is an African American?

"Drrrr. This isn't a geographic term, it is a term associating color of skin."

Can't we just call an African American "black" then? What difference does a euphemism make anyways?

African American = Black

Black = Derogatory term

African American = Derogatory term?

Really? Why not?

How about nigger?

Which sounds more correct commin outta your mouth?

Yo African American, what up?
Yo black, what up?
Yo nigga, what up?
Or, heaven tah betsies no......

Hey man, haven't seen you in awhile. How ya doin?
 #14 
Old 2008-08-02, 23:03
Monsieur Monsieur is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

We all share a common ancestor that originated in Africa. So essentially, aren't all citizens of the United States African-American?

To me, race is a social construct - it doesn't really mean shit unless you tacitly, or otherwise, agree that it does. The only definite purpose that race serves is to divide and oppress.
 #15 
Old 2008-08-03, 01:24
Regular
 
6th circle of hell
Default Re: What is an African American?

Hey man, haven't seen you in awhile. How ya doin?

I'm not a man. Asshole.
 #16 
Old 2008-08-03, 10:37
Regular
 
Default Re: What is an African American?

This kid pointed at the pink elephant in the room, and was reprimanded for it.

Just more of societal uncomfort at its own stupidity.
 #17 
Old 2008-08-03, 15:02
Regular
 
01
Default Re: What is an African American?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsieur
We all share a common ancestor that originated in Africa. So essentially, aren't all citizens of the United States African-American?

To me, race is a social construct - it doesn't really mean shit unless you tacitly, or otherwise, agree that it does. The only definite purpose that race serves is to divide and oppress.


It isn't just to you. Race is a social construct. Anyone who says otherwise wants to have master race delusions.
 #18 
Old 2008-08-03, 15:12
Mantikore Mantikore is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

how about breeds of dogs?

we distinguish them from each other by physical traits, even though they are the same species.
 #19 
Old 2008-08-03, 15:23
FSMzeppelin58 FSMzeppelin58 is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

The school shouldn't even be having a contest for African Americans, that is the complete opposite of what they were fighting against in the 60s, and even today.

You know, I bet if they had a contest where only white people could enter, the school would be sued for racism.
 #20 
Old 2008-08-03, 15:31
CDAWG CDAWG is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

Lol this is dumb
One of my best friends is a white South african and he puts that he is african american on all his papers..We even joke around saying he probably has raised african american test score by ten points
 #21 
Old 2008-08-03, 16:38
Regular
 
eagan mn usa
Default Re: What is an African American?

I'm not a man. Asshole.

Hi little girl; would you like a piece of candy?
 #22 
Old 2008-08-03, 17:27
Regular
 
Default Re: What is an African American?

Quote:
Originally Posted by FSMzeppelin58
The school shouldn't even be having a contest for African Americans, that is the complete opposite of what they were fighting against in the 60s, and even today.

You know, I bet if they had a contest where only white people could enter, the school would be sued for racism.


*points to this guy*

The kid's completely correct and he exposed the school for what it is. They are TRYING their hardest to have some understanding at that school but they just haven't come far enough, mentally.
 #23 
Old 2008-08-06, 02:14
JustAnotherAsshole JustAnotherAsshole is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

thats pretty funny though.

Yeah, and I see nothing wrong with it..

If they mean Black, then just say Black. I mean, white people get called white, not European American, right? I haven't met many black people who call themselves "African American"....

It's not as if somebody who's great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandpa lived in Africa is actually African.

Everybody's too politically correct in this country. This kid was African American, what they wanted for the contest was Black, Not African American.

Fuck, people need to learn to say what they mean.
 #24 
Old 2008-08-06, 03:57
Regular
 
Default Re: What is an African American?

"Drrrr. This isn't a geographic term, it is a term associating color of skin."

Can't we just call an African American "black" then? What difference does a euphemism make anyways?


Yes, I agree. I don't call myself European-American. It really wouldn't do more to explain my generalized skin color/phenotype, than "white." Now, am I really white? Are "blacks" really black? Of course not. I'm closer to beige and they are sometimes closer to brown. Nonetheless, generalizations are FUNTIONAL. What term you want to use is arbitrary, as long as it isn't a word that is often used in a derogatory context.
 #25 
Old 2008-08-06, 06:59
Regular
 
Default Re: What is an African American?

Drrrr. This isn't a geographic term, it is a term associating color of skin. This is why we don't consider Turks or Saudis "Asian-Americans." It is more about generalizing looks than genetic background. I imagine most of you know this, but would rather make an issue of the false semantics involved.

This. 100% this.

To whoever asked about political correctness and terms like "black" or "African-American": We are perfectly fine with the term "black". Amusingly, it's white people that tend to insist on using African-American. It doesn't really matter much...the important thing is that people know what you're talking about, and you aren't offending anyone with a racial slur.

And for the record: I would prefer if "brown" replaced "black". "Black" gets so many negative connotations in literature, film, and just from society in general. "Black" was actually even considered offensive when the term first came into use a few decades ago.
 #26 
Old 2008-08-06, 07:08
AntlerBoy AntlerBoy is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

Jesus. I wish I was there - that school administration is begging for a nice, fat civil rights lawsuit.
 #27 
Old 2008-08-07, 02:57
Regular
 
Default Re: What is an African American?

You know, I bet if they had a contest where only white people could enter, the school would be sued for racism.

The kid should sue the school for discrimination against himself for not being black but still meeting the contest criteria. And also for racism against white people.

Its horrible how that isn't even an issue thats mentioned in the article, people are afraid to bring it up. If White people actually got pissed about that they would be labeled as racist.

Hell if i was black i would be offended that the school had a contest for most academic African American, because it is implying that white people already perform at a higher academic level and don't need to be recognized.

The schools political correctness is just offensive all around and should not be tolerated, the blacks should have a big angry riot and the whites should sue those fuckers.

Things like this get me really worked up... Mad


EDIT:
Once in school I was giving a presentation on factories or something and it tied in to the coloreds somehow, anyway it was a group thing and they were talking about "African Americans...." Then when its my turn I talk about my topic but I say "Black people ......" And everybody had this surprised "OMG lol did he just say black?" look. It was funny how i could see the tension that it caused in a room full of white people.
 #28 
Old 2008-08-08, 17:41
Acolyte
 
Default Re: What is an African American?

fuck that shit you all a bunch o' nigga's yo
 #29 
Old 2008-08-09, 03:31
Regular
 
Default Re: What is an African American?

What is an African American?
Unenslaved niggers.
 #30 
Old 2008-08-09, 15:26
Regular
 
01
Default Re: What is an African American?

Unenslaved niggers.

Oh look at that, a racist on totse. You must be so hip and edgy.
 #31 
Old 2008-08-09, 15:47
Regular
 
Canada
Default Re: What is an African American?

Quote:
Originally Posted by DeliciousCrack
fuck that shit you all a bunch o' nigga's yo


Why was registration ever opened.
 #32 
Old 2008-08-20, 12:30
Regular
 
Default Re: What is an African American?

I'm going to sue the shit out of the next person to call me white.



Even though my ancestors came here from Ireland and Germany over 300 years ago, I prefer the term Euro-American.
 #33 
Old 2008-08-20, 12:39
Regular
 
Questions objections obtuse
Default Re: What is an African American?

Quote:
Originally Posted by FSMzeppelin58
The school shouldn't even be having a contest for African Americans, that is the complete opposite of what they were fighting against in the 60s, and even today.

You know, I bet if they had a contest where only white people could enter, the school would be sued for racism.


What would happen if a school had a contest for every racial group attending the school?

A fuckload of confused racists.
 #34 
Old 2008-08-20, 12:56
Luke19 Luke19 is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

I'm really pissed about this. This shows how much racism there really is in the USA. Why not call someone black? is that offensive? It's because they don't want to be racist? That's actually being racist itself, because they are saying that being black is something bad that should be replaced by..."African-American", term that personally gets on my nerves.
A contest exclusive for "African-American"? Ok, that's even more racist: so you think that as a rule, black people will have lower grades than white (any problem for saying white? never heard any..), who also by rule will have higher grades.
When I was younger I used to live in Massachusetts. Every year we did the MCAS, a test that lasts I think until 12th grade (not sure about that). On that test you were asked if you were: white, hispanic, african-american, and some other color I can't remember...why ask white and then African-American? Shouldn't, like someone earlier than me said, call white people, Euro-American? Also, I know this hasn't been mentioned, but why Hispanic? not...Puertorriqueño (from Puerto Rico) or Mexican?...well a lot of questions in a country that claims to have no racism, but still has a lot of problems with it.
 #35 
Old 2008-08-20, 13:00
Regular
 
Default Re: What is an African American?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luke19
I'm really pissed about this. This shows how much racism there really is in the USA. Why not call someone black? is that offensive? It's because they don't want to be racist? That's actually being racist itself, because they are saying that being black is something bad that should be replaced by..."African-American", term that personally gets on my nerves.
A contest exclusive for "African-American"? Ok, that's even more racist: so you think that as a rule, black people will have lower grades than white (any problem for saying white? never heard any..), who also by rule will have higher grades.
When I was younger I used to live in Massachusetts. Every year we did the MCAS, a test that lasts I think until 12th grade (not sure about that). On that test you were asked if you were: white, hispanic, african-american, and some other color I can't remember...why ask white and then African-American? Shouldn't, like someone earlier than me said, call white people, Euro-American? Also, I know this hasn't been mentioned, but why Hispanic? not...Puertorriqueño (from Puerto Rico) or Mexican?...well a lot of questions in a country that claims to have no racism, but still has a lot of problems with it.




I hate the word "Hispanic". If you speak Spanish, you're a dirty Mexican.
 #36 
Old 2008-08-20, 13:34
Luke19 Luke19 is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

I hate the word "Hispanic". If you speak Spanish, you're a dirty Mexican.

Fuck off, not mexican! You know, even though Spanish is spoken in mexico, it's also spoken in Spain huh? Europe? ever heard of that? next to Portugal? Yes there.
 #37 
Old 2008-08-20, 13:47
Luke19 Luke19 is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

http://www.planetware.com/i/map/E/kingdom-of-spain-map.jpg This is Spain, so you know.
http://www.traveldocs.com/images/europe_b.jpg And this is Europe, spain is south/down and west/left

Any doubts? If not, read my answer above. The one that responds the thread.
 #38 
Old 2008-08-20, 19:35
AntlerBoy AntlerBoy is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

I hate the word "Hispanic". If you speak Spanish, you're a dirty Mexican.

I saw this guy awhile back that had a shirt that said, in huge letters, "I'M NOT HISPANIC, I'M NOT LATINO, I'M MEXICAN."

Cracked me up.
 #39 
Old 2008-08-21, 01:37
Regular
 
Utah: Mountains, Mormons, Meth
Default Re: What is an African American?

I saw this guy awhile back that had a shirt that said, in huge letters, "I'M NOT HISPANIC, I'M NOT LATINO, I'M MEXICAN."

Cracked me up.

"I'm not a Christian, I'm Mormon"

--Some dumb kid clear the hell back in 9th grade.
 #40 
Old 2008-08-21, 02:40
AntlerBoy AntlerBoy is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

"I'm not a Christian, I'm Mormon"

--Some dumb kid clear the hell back in 9th grade.

Did the room go silent, only the sounds of palms hitting foreheads breaking the quiet?
 #41 
Old 2008-08-21, 03:22
Regular
 
Utah: Mountains, Mormons, Meth
Default Re: What is an African American?

Did the room go silent, only the sounds of palms hitting foreheads breaking the quiet?

It was in semi-private, with just 2 other people there. We did facepalm though.
 #42 
Old 2008-08-21, 22:16
Regular
 
Default Re: What is an African American?

Fuck off, not mexican! You know, even though Spanish is spoken in mexico, it's also spoken in Spain huh? Europe? ever heard of that? next to Portugal? Yes there.


I didn't mean that the only people in the world who speak Spanish are Mexicans, I mean they might as well be. I live in fucking TEXAS where 99% of the people who speak Spanish are Mexicans or managers at Mcdonalds (a requirement being that every employee is in fact Mexican).
 #43 
Old 2008-08-25, 18:26
blahz blahz is offline
Regular
 
Default Re: What is an African American?

If you were born in America your a fucking American! You have to live in Africa if you want to call yourself a native from there.

For example I got intense irish heritage.. got the green eyes, last name Sullivan, and I piss whiskey. But I've never been to Ireland & was born in the US. Therefore I'm American. Simple as that.

That kid is white and is African. Move here= he's an African American
 #44 
Old 2008-08-26, 09:18
Regular
 
Detroit Rock City
Default Re: What is an African American?

He should tell his principal to choke on his big, African dong.
 #45 
Old 2008-08-27, 01:35
Regular
 
Utah: Mountains, Mormons, Meth
Default Re: What is an African American?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Billy Idol
He should tell his principal to choke on his big, African dong.


http://www.totse.com/en/erotica/without_consent/2young03.html
 #46 
Old 2008-09-01, 22:48
Regular
 
Ontario canada
Default Re: What is an African American?

And for the record: I would prefer if "brown" replaced "black". "Black" gets so many negative connotations in literature, film, and just from society in general. "Black" was actually even considered offensive when the term first came into use a few decades ago.

And you want to know why that is? It's because humans by nature abhor anything black/dark. It's part of our genetic legacy as diurnal creatures. We live by the light, and in the night time we are vulnerable to predators. As such we have evolved to associate darkness with dangers/unpleasant events.

So what does this all mean? It means that you black people are doomed to being hated by normal people. I feel sad for you, really.
 #47 
Old 2008-09-02, 00:35
Regular
 
Utah: Mountains, Mormons, Meth
Default Re: What is an African American?

And you want to know why that is? It's because humans by nature abhor anything black/dark. It's part of our genetic legacy as diurnal creatures. We live by the light, and in the night time we are vulnerable to predators. As such we have evolved to associate darkness with dangers/unpleasant events.

Sounds like something equally ridiculous I heard once:

The privileging of solid over fluid mechanics, and indeed the inability of science to deal with turbulent flow at all, [is attributed] to the association of fluidity with femininity. Whereas men have sex organs that protrude and become rigid, women have openings that leak menstrual blood and vaginal fluids. . . From this perspective it is no wonder that science has not been able to arrive at a successful model for turbulence. The problem of turbulent flow cannot be solved because the conceptions of fluids (and of women) have been formulated so as necessarily to leave unarticulated remainders.
 #48 
Old 2008-09-02, 00:42
Regular
 
Ontario canada
Default Re: What is an African American?

Sounds like something equally ridiculous I heard once:

how many hours a day do you spend on totse?

that being said, i am intrigued by you. be you panzer or not

also, what i said makes perfect sense tho. humans by nature dont like dark things its part of who we are

do YOU like dark things
 #49 
Old 2008-09-02, 03:13
Regular
 
Utah: Mountains, Mormons, Meth
Default Re: What is an African American?

how many hours a day do you spend on totse?

that being said, i am intrigued by you. be you panzer or not
Well right now it's Labour Day so I spent at least 6 hours online today, with probably 1.5 of that being on totse (there's only so much you can do here before you get bored and go elsewhere). Typically though I only spend perhaps 40 minutes on totse while at uni depending on the day.

also, what i said makes perfect sense tho. humans by nature dont like dark things its part of who we are

do YOU like dark things

"Dark things"? I don't have a preference as to shade of colour. Confused

Replace "humans" with "male scientists", "dark things" with "fluid mechanics", and "we" with "they", and you have a pretty ridiculous statement. At least provide evidence of people not liking "dark things" by their nature; I'm not sure what you mean by this. Confused
 #50 
Old 2008-09-03, 01:37
Regular
 
Ontario canada
Default Re: What is an African American?

Well right now it's Labour Day so I spent at least 6 hours online today, with probably 1.5 of that being on totse (there's only so much you can do here before you get bored and go elsewhere). Typically though I only spend perhaps 40 minutes on totse while at uni depending on the day.



"Dark things"? I don't have a preference as to shade of colour. Confused

Replace "humans" with "male scientists", "dark things" with "fluid mechanics", and "we" with "they", and you have a pretty ridiculous statement. At least provide evidence of people not liking "dark things" by their nature; I'm not sure what you mean by this. Confused

Through history the colour black has always been associated with unpleasant things/evens/experiences. It's ingrained in our human nature to dislike things of a darker colour. For example, men prefer fair women, people prefer blonde hair over black..etc and many many more just can't think of any right now.

The point is, humans by nature dislike blackness and it has an evolutionary component to it.

Look, I know that maybe you personally don't have any prejudice towards the colour black, however you can't deny that in a lot of cultures black is uniformly associated with bad things. I know I can't really prove it to you but I am sure you must be aware of this phenomenon.
 #51 
Old 2008-09-03, 02:34
Regular
 
01
Default Re: What is an African American?

Through history the colour black has always been associated with unpleasant things/evens/experiences. It's ingrained in our human nature to dislike things of a darker colour. For example, men prefer fair women, people prefer blonde hair over black..etc and many many more just can't think of any right now.

The point is, humans by nature dislike blackness and it has an evolutionary component to it.

Look, I know that maybe you personally don't have any prejudice towards the colour black, however you can't deny that in a lot of cultures black is uniformly associated with bad things. I know I can't really prove it to you but I am sure you must be aware of this phenomenon.

Throughout your culture's history. That's purely social as well, and has nothing to do with evolution.
 #52 
Old 2008-09-03, 02:58
Regular
 
Ontario canada
Default Re: What is an African American?

Throughout your culture's history. That's purely social as well, and has nothing to do with evolution.

Do you know what my culture is? Anyways, the genes cause the society into existence, hence whatever "social" influence you find it's all purely genetic too.

Point is, it is human nature to loathe dark things.
 #53 
Old 2008-09-03, 07:07
Regular
 
Utah: Mountains, Mormons, Meth
Default Re: What is an African American?

Through history the colour black has always been associated with unpleasant things/evens/experiences. It's ingrained in our human nature to dislike things of a darker colour. For example, men prefer fair women, people prefer blonde hair over black..etc and many many more just can't think of any right now.

The point is, humans by nature dislike blackness and it has an evolutionary component to it.

Look, I know that maybe you personally don't have any prejudice towards the colour black, however you can't deny that in a lot of cultures black is uniformly associated with bad things. I know I can't really prove it to you but I am sure you must be aware of this phenomenon.

I know that it's a prevalent belief, but a historical component doesn't imply an evolutionary component. If there was a certain gene that predisposed one to prefering light colours over dark coulours, or if the eye had developed in an environment of solely light colours (though I don't know how that would occur), then you'd have an argument, but so far your argument is no more valid than "property has been around through almost every culture's history, thus it has an evolutionary component to it". Socially, yes, darker colours are frowned upon in most cultures, but I don't think there's an innate aspect of human nature that predisposes humans to lighter colours; I just can't believe that it's genetic (at least without proof).

EDIT: Yeah, Prometheum got it.
 #54 
Old 2008-09-03, 20:41
Regular
 
01
Default Re: What is an African American?

Do you know what my culture is? Anyways, the genes cause the society into existence, hence whatever "social" influence you find it's all purely genetic too.

Point is, it is human nature to loathe dark things.

Holy fuck you're an idiot.
 #55 
Old 2008-09-04, 00:45
Regular
 
Ontario canada
Default Re: What is an African American?

I know that it's a prevalent belief, but a historical component doesn't imply an evolutionary component. If there was a certain gene that predisposed one to prefering light colours over dark coulours, or if the eye had developed in an environment of solely light colours (though I don't know how that would occur), then you'd have an argument, but so far your argument is no more valid than "property has been around through almost every culture's history, thus it has an evolutionary component to it". Socially, yes, darker colours are frowned upon in most cultures, but I don't think there's an innate aspect of human nature that predisposes humans to lighter colours; I just can't believe that it's genetic (at least without proof).


Just so that you know, I am not proclaiming that there IS a genetic component to why people prefer light colours to dark colours (as observed). I am merely suggesting a possible explanation for why people from various cultures tend to view dark colours as undesirable/associate them with unpleasant things. It's not totally impossible, what I suggested.

Also, funny you should say you can't believe that it's genetic. Not to put words in your mouth, but does this mean you suspect it might be social? Just so that you know, society and social norms, cultures and memes and stuff like that, in fact, ALL facets of human actitivities, are all indirect manifestation of our genes, given that we are made entirely of proteins, and genes encode for proteins. So EVEN IF this people preferring light colours phenomenon does indeed have a social component, ultimately it's still influenced by genes.
 #56 
Old 2008-09-04, 06:11
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Utah: Mountains, Mormons, Meth
Default Re: What is an African American?

Just so that you know, I am not proclaiming that there IS a genetic component to why people prefer light colours to dark colours (as observed). I am merely suggesting a possible explanation for why people from various cultures tend to view dark colours as undesirable/associate them with unpleasant things. It's not totally impossible, what I suggested.
Well what do you view as "human nature" if not a genetic tendency universal to humans?

Also, funny you should say you can't believe that it's genetic. Not to put words in your mouth, but does this mean you suspect it might be social? Just so that you know, society and social norms, cultures and memes and stuff like that, in fact, ALL facets of human actitivities, are all indirect manifestation of our genes, given that we are made entirely of proteins, and genes encode for proteins. So EVEN IF this people preferring light colours phenomenon does indeed have a social component, ultimately it's still influenced by genes.

I can't argue with the fact that human genetics influence all aspects of human culture and society. However, I cannot believe that the influence could be large enough to create an entire prejudice. If the prejudice was inherently genetic then there should be a gene, or at least a set of genes that influence distaste for dark colours. But rather than this genetic reality you can only point to a social reality that, while influenced by human genetics, is so far removed from any gene related to liking of colour that the point is totally lost. So no, I don't believe that there is a genetic component to dislike of dark colours. There are genetic aspects influencing culture, but since these aspects as far as they are related to the present topic are a) not seen in all cultures, and b) show no direct connection from a purported dark-fearing gene and the social consequences of such a hypothetical gene.

Voting is a social act that is influenced by genetics, but if you're going to say that genetics will invariably cause the tendency to vote you're giving a very unstable argument and not making a claim that says that genetics is important in innately social scenarios--just that it influences it; whereas the point was to show that the social phenomenon (whether voting or fear of dark colours) stems directly from genetics rather than merely being influenced by it.
 #57 
Old 2008-09-05, 03:05
jator jator is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

The only conclusion I could come to is that the school is run by a woman.
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Old 2008-07-31, 12:19
Pink P&ther Pink P&ther is offline
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Default Re: What is an African American?

http://www.utexas.edu/features/2007/ancestry/graphics/ancestry5_medium.jpg
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