"Racism"

[BmorePat87]

(03-23-2018, 11:27 AM)Bengalzona Wrote: I think we all agree that there are physical variations between people and that those variations are sometimes concentrated geographically for various reasons. But I don't think it is a sin to categorize and label those differences under a title like "race". Unless I'm mistaken, categorizing and labeling them is an initial part of the scientific method to develop and test hypothesis. The title you place that under is just the terminology.

If you say that part of this categorizing and labeling has been misused by people for centuries for nefarious purposes, I think you know that I agree with you. Particularly with regards to using "race as a basis for behavior" as I mentioned above.

It's not a sin as long as we understand why we're categorizing them that way. There can be just as much diversity between someone from Western Africa and Southern Africa as there is from someone in Western Europe.

As Matt pointed out, a lot of the categorization is relevant because of social factors. We know social conditions are scientifically relevant, so if we're comparing treatment and patterns in society, it's a relevant categorization. But if I am discussing something like sickle cell, it would make no sense to discuss race as it's region based. You're predisposed based on the region of origin of your ancestors, not your skin color.