Are black people just...intellectually inferior?

Question

I've been reading a lot about the "Bell Curve" and all that, and it's really quite distressing.

There are a lot of studies out there that allegedly show that most black people are just naturally and genetically inferior to most other races- as far as intellect goes.

Do you think that's true? Do black people, even when sharing the same culture as your own, strike you as stupid?

I'm black, and honestly, I almost cried when I read about this. I value my grades and my intelligence and make straight A's. I score above average in IQ tests and I really, REALLY have a hard time believing that I'm some type of REALLY rare anomaly.

Most black people that I come in contact with really don't strike me as unintelligent, not even when we're doing school work...but these studies are trying to tell me otherwise.

How do you feel about this, and do you really think it makes a difference? :(

Answer 1

No!!!!!, intelligent has nothing to do with the color of you skin...... there are many successful blacks, Although blacks had to fight harder to prove their capabilities, but that was so long ago!!! Now things are not like they was back when racism was at its peak!!!

Answer 2

There have been many psychological studies that show at this time with moderately good nutrition and learning chances they re not intellectually inferior. A look at professional sports shows they are not physically inferior. Feel there was a time when North stop sending back escaped slaves when there was a good chance they were breed to be slow, but as a group those patterns have faded long ago. There is a segment, just like poor whites, where poor nutrition and learning environment early in childhood hinders one living up to their full potential. These cases cannot be used to say anything in general about ***** or Caucasian Races. Strongly recommend you study the validity of some of the information you cite for conclusions based on something other than reality.(edit) Forgot about ancient great civilizations who invent number system we use.

Answer 3

Asians are smart and White people are fantastic liars..

Answer 4

I don't believe that black people are inherently unintelligent compared to other races. Perhaps the fact that blacks have been slandered for years has given them a mindset of wanting to be.. Different, or, (and please, note that this is speculation,) even better. Maybe this mindset has caused young blacks to be more rebellious, as a culture, resulting in not attributing as much time to academics as others. As long as you keep in mind that racism is much more diluted if you don't open old wounds, the world becomes much less judgemental. Hope I helped!!

Answer 5

I would Hate to throw a whole ethnic group under the bus because of one book. I think it is important to read with a curious mind, but to take away useful pieces that might help you in further research. Your interest in this topic might be what pushes you to the head of this field of research.

Don't EVER let someone else define who you are. Someone who is trying to do that is showing their insecurity and thus their inferiority.

Answer 6

I'm sorry you're feeling bad about the book. It must be a tough read for someone who is black.

I can't comment on average intelligence any better than The Bell Curve can, but I can say this: I graduated from professional school, thus earning my doctorate, and I always noticed that black students tended to do substantially worse than white students. They also had much more university-funded help (sort of a "Head Start" for those in professional school), which many of my white cohorts and I rather resented, as it represented an advantage to them. Further, the GPAs and standardized test scores required of black applicants (to be admitted to the program) were substantially lower than for others. My conclusion from this was that, at least at the upper end (IQ = 130 and above), blacks are underrepresented.

Each person is an individual, though, and you sound like you're doing great! Keep up the good work and you will go far!

Answer 7

What is it about the black people that so much as irk and quicken white people to want to prove that they understand creation better. What is there to prove in order to rest the minds of white people? It is almost as if a certain fear of the black pushes the white to satisfy themselves that such fear is either unwarranted or containable. The constant debate of white better than the black is unhelpful when put in perspective: there are 1.6 billion chinese, 1.6 billion indians, 1 billion indochinese, 800 million blacks, 1.5 billion europeans, 500 million arabs, on this planet. If the contention is that the white are better than all then leave the black alone!

Answer 8

Many of the Bell Curve's critics say that the stats the authors of the Bell Curve were used to make broad-stroke conclusions that are too broad to be of any real use.

I suggest you read Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond. It's Pulitzer prize winner and is absolutely fascinating. Your opinion on the Bell Curve will likely change afterwards.

Answer 9

Detroit says a lot about blacks

Answer 10

Every answer to this question that fails to insult black people has been thumbed down.

Every answer that affirms a low view of black people has gotten more thumbs up and thumbs down.

Interesting.

Answer 11

I think different races have different strengths and weaknesses and it's meant to be like a beautiful tapestry when it comes together. Instead of comparing ourselves with each other we should draw from each other. I have been to Africa several times and have been touched so much by their creativity and insightfulness and expression of heart that I feel Europeans lack. We also live in a "knowledge and reason is king" world, so we are all trying to fit into that mold to be successful. I wonder what the studies would look like if arts and music were the world leader for success?
Also, I would question the source of the studies and who was behind it. I hate to say it, but I think our country is still very prejudice and may do these studies as a way of keeping old rich white guys on top and enforce prejudices in others.
Oppression inhibits intellectual growth and the last 50 years have been an uphill fight for equality in the black community. I think in the coming generations we will see a change in the US I hope. So keep up the good work of proving that study wrong!