Student not black enough to win African American student award

The BBQ Pit
61

Duffer,

To rehash an oft gone through Race thread …

There is no debate that there are differences between different subpopulations of people. Biologically the question of significance is what differences travel with what other differences and to what degree of correlation. What are the subpopulations of significance? From this perspective certain alleles can be shown to travel with other alleles, certain disease state risks can be shown to travel with certain alleles. Much can be learned about our migratory histories by an open minded investigatiion of determining what these subpopulations of humanity are. This scientific inquiry demands that you do not begin the investigation with an answer already in mind.

“Race” as a biological construct obstructs such an open ended inquiry. It presents an answer in advance of the data. It declares that a particular set of superficial (ie easily observable) characteristics that have led to self and external group identification are the meaningful characteristics for other items of biological interest. It is looking under a particular lamppost becuase that is where the light’s good. This is not an ideal scientific approach.

This does not mean that there is no correlation between race and items of biological significance.

First off genetic predisposition can statistically be correlated with race. Sickle cell is statistically more common among Blacks than Whites. In the abscence of more specific markers, racial status can increase or decrease the probability of an individual responding to certain medications in various ways, suggesting different sorts of antihypertensives or different therapy after a renal transplant. In the abscence of more specific markers. But that is so very key. Because while sometimes we may need to only look where the light is good, we be foolish to belieeve that our keys can only be there: the subpopulation of interest is really a set of particular alleles which correlates with these disease states and medication responses (and who knows what other phenotypes) with a great deal more vigor.

Secondly the sociologic construct has biologic significance because of its ramifications. If someone identifies (or is identified) as a member of a particular group, then they are statistically more likely to be part of the culture of that group. Eat particular foods prepared in particular ways more or less often. Have differing approaches to health maintainance. Different access to health care. Be treated differently. Different accss to educational institutions of similar quality. So on. All of which have may have measurable biological effects.

Race as a sociologic construct is very real. And, bringing this back to this thread, one wonders if the existance of this award is more racist in its implication than anything the suspended students did. Maybe a Martin Luther King Memorial Award, open to all, based on public service contributions to issues of racial equality, academics, and need, in some balance, would be a more fitting remembrance of the day. (Save the African-American only award for Malcolm X Day.)

Eve,

I had Jewish South African freinds (a family) back in medical school/residency. They had emigrated to the US in the early 80’s. Their experience was that Afrikaners had kept mostly to themselves, apart from Jews as well, and until he had to serve in the military he had hoped that Afrikaners would peacably power share. After he met up with more of them in his military service he became convinced that they were so stupid and stubborn that no peaceful solution would ever be found and decided to leave. (Fortunately, history has shown him wrong.)

62

As Zoggie – not going back to check a nick – noted this stuff creates all kind of REAL logical problems. As usual, what was that the second post or something?

There is a simple method for keeping this kind of stuff straight. Us the system they used in New Orleans around 1800. Mullato: African-American. Octoroon: not sure.

Hey, maybe this is tougher than I thought.

If the kid is not an “African” American, what the hell is he? If I had not suggested the same strategy to a poor immigrant about 20 years ago, I might think this was a stupid idea. She was trying to get into nursing school. If she could have checked the African-American box she might have saved herself a couple years of applications and annoyances. That’s reality.

She is from South Africa and has naturalized. She’s not even “white” to some people. I’m not going into detail, as I find all these attempts to make a good thing out of racial discrimination pretty moronic. In one hundred years they might laugh at “affirmative action” as a term. I’m doing it right now.

63

I can’t believe how many people seem to approve of these kids’ actions. Sure, there’s an interesting and important discussion to be raised about the relevance and appropriateness of race-exclusive awards in this day and age, in a school of this sort. A discussion which, reading posts like Rysler’s, intelligent and well-meaning people can disagree about.

But these kids did not raise that discussion. Instead, they got their panties in a bunch about the fact that “African American” doesn’t mean what you might think it means. And Grape Nuts aren’t made of grape or nuts. Get over it! The use of “African American” to mean “black” is stupid, sure, but it’s not inherently hypocritical. Rant all you want about “uhh, gee, can’t we all be just Americans” or “does that mean I should be called a European American or a Caucasian American”. What’s your point? That it’s a stupid term? Everyone agrees that it’s a stupid term. Doesn’t make these kids anything more than wiseasses.

64

South African-American. (Just as, had he grown up several hundred miles to the North and East, he would be a Zimbabwean-American.)

65

Pardon me for a small clarification…

Yes, scrolling back, I see that you did say that in an earlier post. But in the post I was referring to, you said,

Which is a pretty neutral statement. So consider the record straightened, but I just wanted to show I wasn’t completely pulling that out of my ass.

(Just FTR, I also think the award is a bad idea.)

66

South African is a subset of “African”.

The box does not say “black” any more.

If it did, I’d suggest that the only way to determine someone’s blackness is to go back to the colonial system which looks at the amount of “black” versus “white” “blood” you have in your veins.

Or, we could use the South African apartheid system. That’s the best recent example of an advanced, legalisitc, racial spoils system.

Or, if I’m advising someone with a “black” great grandfather what to do, I tell them to check the “African-American” box. He faced “historical discrimination” – the legal justification trotted out by the supporters of affirmative action.

Strangely, despite what happened to the Irish, they don’t have their own check box. That’s a major oversight. What about Eastern Bloc immigrants, don’t they deserve a special dispensation?

67

I can hear them now: “Darn those pesky kids! They’ve told everyone that African-American is secret code for black people, a fact which we wanted kept under wraps! Our racist agenda is revealed!”

Or perhaps they were just annoyed because the kids were being smug, overly-literal jackasses.

68

So my cat is feline-American and the Marijuana in my closet is Cannabis-American.

It works on so many levels.

69

I remember watching a videotape of a classroom in an education class. They were talking about immigration, and the teacher asked why people come to the US. One of the kids gave a long response about the “African Americans” in South Africa coming to the United States because of racism. I was waiting for the teacher to say, “er, young man, by definition all South Africans are African, and none of them are American,” but he just nodded and agreed. So it’s just a dead term. It doesn’t mean African or American, it means black. Blacks in England are African American. Light-skinned Egyptians who come to the US and become citizens are not. African American joins Literally and Beg the Question in the Hall of Depleted Meanings.

I don’t think these kids were trying to “mock” black kids OR run a legitimate campaign. It was just an adolescent joke by adolescence. The school over-reacted. I despair at our future when nobody can take a fucking joke. Just tell the kids “good one,” and have 'em take down the posters. Christ, grow up. You have more important problems, people. For instance, look around you… have you noticed that YOU LIVE IN FUCKING OMAHA???

70

There’s no such thing as God, either, but the hijinks of Fred Phelps and his ilk still pucker my anus.