Does evolution lend itself to racism?
87032
Whether or not you believe in evolution, etc, you have to admit that in many cases, 'political correctness' does it's very best to hide the truth. It also does alot to silence those who merely seek it.
391785
yes.  i believe everyone is racist, including me.  we live in a world that tells us since childbirth that dark people are bad.  if u are in a family of dark-complected people, chances are they tell u the opposite- that white people are evil.  society is setup this way, so I'm wary of anyone who says they have totally escaped this conditioning- don't trust them on that. \n\ni realize that i contain this bias and I'm always trying to improve it... rather than most people who deny they have any racism in themselves, and never try to improve it, since they won't admit they have a problem. \n\nit's a worldwide problem.  I'm American but a friend from India once told me that "anywhere i go, I'll catch hell" because of my dark skin.
25992
In principle, one group of people could evolve to be much more intelligent than others.  That is probably how we (Homo sapiens) wiped out the Neanterthals (Homo neanderthalensis).\n\nAmong us Homo sapiens, the evidence that one race is more or less intelligent than another is not convincing.  Differences in performance on intelligence tests (and who is to say that is relevant) are small.  Any discussion of the relationship of race to intelligence immediate gets shouted down by those who believe they are about to be judged inferior.\n\nIn principle, a small group of very intelligent people, who everyone could agree are more intelligent than the rest of us, could have evolved or could have been created by selective breeding (eugenics), but if there is one, they aren't showing themselves.
1062580
"Evolution" is a discussion of the adaptation and development of species and sub-species in respect to their environments.  "Better," "worse," "advanced" and "primitive" actually are quite meaningless in this discussion.  Similarly, "race" has utterly no significance except as an expression of certain features of environmental adaptation.\n\nHowever, since this concept was first articulated by Charles Darwin in his book, "The Origin of Species," people have had terrible debates about its validity and meaning.  Oddly enough, a great many people who absolutely deny the validity of evolution, mainly religious people, have also been among those persons who adopted its terms in a distorted concept called "social Darwinism," which has been used to support and promote racism.\n\nMost people today who say evolutionary theory is racist are attempting to smear the concept rather than deal with it.  And some of these people are terrible religious bigots.
1140657
racism is wrong no matter where it comes from. Blacks can be just as racist as whites. You would think that those who have endured racism  would understand, but they don't. Not all blacks are racist, just like not all whites are. Some black women get all bent out of shape when black men date white women. They come out and openly state it. If the revers were true, it would be socially unacceptable for a white woman to complain publicly about it. Anyway, it's the yr2006, I wish racism would go away once and for all.
13114
It is in my opinion an evolutionary mechanism. Catnip has got it right, but it is not only OUR own experiences, but also other people's (friends, family etc).\n\nTo make is simple take a dangerous activity (or group of people) If you perceive this activity as dangerous you avoid it. Natural Selection will favor you. And how do you avoid it? By not associating with ANY ONE of them based on your idea that doing so is dangerous, thus prejudice.\n\nOf course prejudice is not solely about dangerousness, it can also be about morality, intelligence, superiority etc, but the basic idea remains the same.\n\nUnfortunate, but that is the way it is.
653816
Evolution is a theory.
1030716
racism is not innate, it is a learned response. no matter what color your skin you are racist against someone.  can YOU resist YOUR inate racism.  "this is asked to WHITES" give me a break
124649
That's a good question.  It's probably just force of habit.  You may disagree, but I doubt that there's much - if any - lingering racism behind it.  People are becoming more educated and integrated these days.  Racism is a sad waste of the talents and capabilities of everyone, including white people.
464141
Racism is alive and well in the usa. It used to be mainly one sided. However these days it is a multibillion dollar a year business that has made many millionaires as well as many a politicians careers. There are laws in place to curb racism. However the way they are often applied, is not balanced. I think we have learned precious little in 200+ years. Unfortunately there are plenty of people who are opportunists and/or hate mungers.
521702
no scientist like Darwin could prove that certain races were inferior through his theory. and he was able to figure out life. matter fact some of the most educated people are most bias on other people. hopeful some day we come to the day when racism is dead. looking forward
846626
I think you may be on to something there!!!  I read a post this morning in which the author speculates that we won't come together until we realize we aren't alone in the universe.  I buy that. \n\nHowever, I look at prejudice as an evolutionary tool.  Prejudice helps us avoid potential harm or identify things (people, places, food, etc.) that are safe and helpful.  Now when and why we developed prejudices against other humans (in terms of race, color, religion and the like) I couldn't begin to imagine, but I like to think most of us can agree that it was a pretty bad move.  \n\nYou're a breath of fresh air.  Thanks.
360642
Yes, but it isn't going to happen in our life time. Racism is perpetuated by the minority's as much as the bigots. As soon as they learn to let go of the past and stop making everything a race issue things will start to change.\nI will admit that I am prejudice. I am prejudice against lazy, ignorant people who think they are owed something. I don't care what color they are!\nIn my opinion there is only one race. The human race. It is time to stop perpetuating the ignorant old ways of our ancestors and get down to making a better world for everyone. Who's with me?
216080
some of my ancestors were headhunters...they actually took pride in eating they enemies...\nIf there is any validity to evolution then you and I ain't nothin but intelligent decendants of monkey brains.\nHowever,if the holy books & all have the truth & nothin but the truth then we all got black in us,therefore,you raggin on all these white folks for nothin...
341265
Racism is stupid, and anyone with any Biblical understanding knows it. For one, we are all one race, the human race. Some humans just have different features. So what? We all descended from one man, Adam, and also Noah since the flood. We are all relatives in one way or another. Blah! *resists urge to rant*
248588
In my opinion, your question gives more validity of Darwin's theory of Evolution than Creation. That we are what and who we are, because of years of adaptation in this planet. As our prehistoric ancestors (supposedly apes), dispersed their population throughout the earth surface of Pangaea (known to be just one big geological land mass before it broke up into the continents we now know and live on). Since earth features climatic conditions that varies from different regions, all living beings on it has to adapt to these conditions. Nature provided the biological elements within our body through time in changing each and everyone's varying skin tone, made possible by a biochemical called Melanin. The presumption whether Adam and Eve were white, or if our skin color has any form of bearing towards intelligence is quite superficial, because color is just naturally skin deep. Getting back to whether the first humans were here instantaneous in origin as theology would suggest, it is Evolution that explains changes in: Nature, migration, time, and adaptation, brought about the multitude of human races, plants, and other living and non living oddities here on earth.
878735
No, racism involves believing that you are superior to another race and also inflicting some form of harm (whether) verbal or physical onto someone else because of their race.\n\nThere are, unfortunately enough of those types around.  You are not racist.