[–] ilikefish 1 point 0 points 1 point (+1|-1) ago
I would be interested in seeing these studies.
I don't know why cultures initially developed the way they did. But cultures continue to change as time goes on. People who were once savage can become civilized and respectable.
You say different peoples should live in their own specific nations and mind their own business. What about immigration? Or are we to forever live alone and never intermingle with other people and cultures? Even if such a thing were possible it's a great way to become stagnant. Cultures and people are supposed to change as times change. What the future holds for all cultures I don't know. Though at the current rate the entire world is going to become fat and sick before long and this future I fear.
I suppose the real question is how do your beliefs affect your dealings with (thin) people you meet? Do you hold preconceived notions about blacks and behave differently? Or do you give everyone a chance to make an ass of themselves first? I have my own prejudices, though not based on skin color, but I talk to everyone no differently and let their actions speak for themselves. I've had some great friends who were black and a positive influence, and I've seen some despicable white people.
[–] [deleted] 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago
[–] ilikefish 1 point -1 points 0 points (+0|-1) ago
You do make some good points with your links and explanations I can't ignore. I'm not blind and have seen much of what those statistics say. I was partially right that blacks raised by whites perform better. I don't know if the different races have different genetic intelligent and civilized behavior ceilings. It would make sense. Even so, your last paragraph is the key to how one should look upon all this. Just because a race is a little different doesn't make them inferior, not when we are all so closely related. You can have a preference but that doesn't mean you must hate others, as some people do.
As someone who enjoys debating with people on the internet over a variety of subjects, it isn't often you get to make an actual impact on someone, or at least getting a response to know about it. And you've certainly made an impact on me. The reason why is you speak of understanding differences and little more, whereas most people who speak of racial differences speak of inferiority and hatred towards them. More often than not what they really hate are particulars of the culture, and when I point this out few have a response.
I will never agree to racial slurs aimed at people simply based on their skin color. Nor do I agree with slavery or mistreatment of those different, and I don't think you agree with that behavior either. The ones who go around calling every black person they see a nigger speak only from hatred and ignorance. If more racists were like you (and that term seems derogatory aimed at you since you seem far more reasonable) the world would be a happier place. I still won't consider myself as such, but I think I can be more honest with myself by acknowledging what I've known to a degree all along, but didn't want to admit. I wish everyone could be and act equal. I don't want to judge on skin color, so I suppose I'm fortunate I live in a predominately white area. I don't go seeking out any particular ethnicity to be my friend, I just try to find like minded people. They tend to be white as that's where I live but there are also people of color too, and so far that's been just fine.
I thank you for the thoughtful and reasonable discussion.