Seeking Online Resources: Scientific Racism

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the topic of scientific racism, specifically focusing on IQ tests, standardized tests, and eugenics. Participants share resources and perspectives related to their research for a presentation on this complex and contentious issue.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses opposition to claims of genetic superiority among white individuals and seeks resources for a presentation on scientific racism.
  • Another participant argues that researching differences between populations is not inherently racist and defends the book "The Bell Curve" as not racist, though acknowledges it is a controversial topic.
  • A participant distinguishes between racism and racialism, suggesting that viewing another race as inferior does not equate to racism.
  • Concerns are raised about presenting to an audience that may have a negative view of "The Bell Curve," influencing how the topic is approached.
  • References to various authors and works, including John L. Hodge's examination of racism and eugenics, are provided as potential resources for the presentation.
  • One participant notes the complexity of the issue and expresses a desire to argue against the notion of genetic inferiority among races, attributing any perceived differences to historical oppression.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of research into racial differences, with some defending the legitimacy of such research while others are concerned about its potential misinterpretation as racist. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives present.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various sources and authors, indicating a reliance on specific texts and historical figures related to the topic. There is acknowledgment of the complexity and sensitivity surrounding the subject matter, particularly in educational settings.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals researching the intersections of race, intelligence testing, and historical contexts of scientific racism, as well as those preparing presentations on these topics.

Dooga Blackrazor
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I am doing a 30 minute presentation on scientific racism that will focus on IQ tests, standarized tests, and eugenics. If anyone has any information that would help me I would appreciate it. I am against the information that claims white individuals are genetically superior.

I have so far the books: The Bell Curve Wars (Hoping to get a copy of the actual Bell Curve soon), Race, IQ, and Jensen (this is by Flynn I believe), and a book called Race and Intelligence. I have online access to "the g factor", but I live in a small town so books I find will likely have to be downloaded or viewed on the Internet. I am interested in The Mismeasure of Man by Gould if anyone has a net-based copy.

Thanks
 
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Dooga Blackrazor said:
I am doing a 30 minute presentation on scientific racism that will focus on IQ tests, standarized tests, and eugenics. If anyone has any information that would help me I would appreciate it. I am against the information that claims white individuals are genetically superior.

I have so far the books: The Bell Curve Wars (Hoping to get a copy of the actual Bell Curve soon), Race, IQ, and Jensen (this is by Flynn I believe), and a book called Race and Intelligence. I have online access to "the g factor", but I live in a small town so books I find will likely have to be downloaded or viewed on the Internet. I am interested in The Mismeasure of Man by Gould if anyone has a net-based copy.

Thanks

If you are planning to tar Jensen as a racist, be advised that even his severest critics do not do that. It is not racism to research differences between populations. The book(?) by Flynn sounds interesting; I don't think of Flynn as being part of the PC army.

In my opinion the Bell Curve is not racist either. But I know that is a much more fraught issue.
 
I am not certain what I am going to do. The issue is entirely complex. I view don't view seeing another race as inferior as racism. In fact, it isn't. It's racialism - racism is racialism applied to society. Of course, I am presenting to a teacher with a very unfavorable opinion of the Bell Curve and a class that would be quick to view it as racist. I will be taking that into account.

I have checked, and the book is called "Race, IQ and Jensen" by Flynn. However, the first chapter of the book is about Jensen and is called "The Racist And His Need For Evidence". Of course, you may be write that most critics do not claim Jensen is racist; however, Flynn, who is quite an influential critic, does.

I would like to argue that there blacks are not less capable of intelligence genetically, and, if they are, this fact could be reversed and has only resulted because of white opression. I have quite a bit more research to do, of course.
 
Correction: As the book continues, your informaiton is revealed to be correct. It takes awhile before he actually clarifies that he doesn't view Jensen as a racist, however, but he does do so near the end of the first chapter.
 
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There are a lot of sources mentioned http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%22Scientific%22_racism"

Josiah Clark Nott, George Robins Gliddon, Robert Knox, Samuel George Morton; In the United States, eugenicists such as Harry H. Laughlin and Madison Grant sought to justify policies such as compulsory sterilization and immigration restriction by using "scientific research" to show that certain populations of people were physically inadequate to reproduce or enter the country.

I used John L. Hodge's book: Hodge, John L., 1939-
Title Cultural bases of racism and group oppression : an examination of traditional "Western" concepts, values, and institutional structures which support racism, sexism, and elitism / John L. Hodge, Donald K. Struckmann, Lynn Dorland Trost.

Might be some stuff in there that could give your presentation social context.
 
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I've bookmarked wikipedia; however, I appreciate the book reference and names. I will look into them. Right now I am reading the book mentioned above still. Very interesting.
 

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