If you say: "black athletes in the USA are often superior to white athletes, just look at the NBA", it is seen as a compliment, no fuss.
If you say: "black students in the USA are often inferior to white students, just look at the statistics", you're seen as racist.
Is that fair? Or should both comments be acceptable? Or unacceptable?
2006-11-22 02:32:38 · 9 answers · asked by Thou Shalt Not Think 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
I don't see a problem. It's not like you're saying "all black athletes are better than white athletes" or "all white students are better than black students." However, the conclusions you draw by looking at a small sample of athletes or a pile of numbers are somewhat faulty. Here's why: Yes, there are a lot more black athletes in the NBA than white athletes, but how many black hockey players do you know? They are some of the strongest, fastest, toughest guys on the planet. Also, it may be true that statistics show blacks as not scoring as high on aptitude tests than whites, but we have charter schools in Detroit that are 95% black students (or better) and these kids are scoring higher on the SAT/ACT than their white counterparts in the suburban Christian academies. My point is this: Be careful about making general comments about any given race, and try to look at the whole picture when using "evidence" to back up your claims.
2006-11-22 02:41:41 · answer #1 · answered by sarge927 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The statements are true. But the comments are both unfair and unacceptable. The key to changing the statistics is to stop addressing them and just make the changes.
The resoning behind the statements is the cause of why the statements seem racist. Most black students don't have the same resources (meals & rest) or encouragement from home to be on the same level as white students so they are often inferior. But that just maybe the reason that black are superior to white in sports. Blacks are often lead to believe that success is only attainable for them if they excel in sports because they won't in academics. Everyone who reads the statistics knows that even in 2006 SOME (not all) blacks are still disadvantaged and don't have the same resources and therefore opportunites as whites in every aspect of life. This affects which career paths blacks chose in life. So, to say blacks are inferior to whites in school and nothing more. Is to be racist because the statement ignores the other issues at hand.
2006-11-22 10:48:39 · answer #2 · answered by xtraluvly03 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you make blanket statements (which are ALWAYS unacceptable if you ask me - and you did ), you're asking for trouble. I guarantee that for every great black athlete you know, I know a white one (and there are more sports to choose from than basketball). The same is true for the statement about the inferiority of black students to white students. When one truly believes something, he'll find all kinds of 'facts' to qualify his belief.
2006-11-22 10:42:27 · answer #3 · answered by anita.revolution 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both are racist, as they suggest that one race is better than the other. By this solely being about race, and not including other factors such as socio-economic realities, access and family upbringing, this can't be valid.
As we all know, if you stick a white kid in an inner city school with outdated materials and limited technological resources, on top of crime and drugs that plague the area, you're likely to see the white kid doing crappy in school too. Conversely, if you put a black kid in a suburb where the schools have all the top notch amenities, that kid will likely do well.
2006-11-22 10:39:16 · answer #4 · answered by 11:11 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to refer to statistics, other groups should also be included, if possible.
When we only take into account black people, then it sounds racist. There are also many poor students among the white groups.
Please, forget people´s color, religion, nationality, etc. Let´s endeavor to live in peace and harmony.
2006-11-22 10:42:31 · answer #5 · answered by lucrecia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both comments tend to stereotype and perpetuate bias. As such, I believe both comments are unacceptable.
Very, very few things in life are "fair". If things were fair, we'd ALL have it much, much easier.
2006-11-22 10:42:01 · answer #6 · answered by loveblue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont have a problem recognizing a black person for their accomplishments i think we are all pretty equal,i do have a problem with all the cries of racism against blacks,we dont have a white history month or a white collage fund,if we are to be equal then there should not be special treatment
2006-11-22 10:45:34 · answer #7 · answered by san_ann68 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The simple fact is that if you say something negative about a minority group it is seen as bullying but not if you say something bad about the majority.
2006-11-22 10:39:38 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both comments are stereotypes. Why are you so worried about this?
2006-11-22 10:34:36 · answer #9 · answered by Angie 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋