PDF Summary:Superior, by Angela Saini

The idea of racial superiority has long shaped society and academia, often under the guise of "science." In Superior, Angela Saini delves into the insidious roots of scientific racism and its damaging revival in modern times.

She investigates how Enlightenment thinkers and early racial classifications laid the foundation. The book then unravels how racist ideologies infiltrate cutting-edge genetics and intelligence research, enabling them to gain alarming influence. By untangling valid science from racial bias, Saini reveals the struggle to uphold objectivity amid powerful ideological forces.

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The idea of science based on racial distinctions persisted through an interconnected global network spanning multiple continents. The Pioneer Fund has consistently backed symposiums and the distribution of research aligned with theories of racial biology. Meanwhile, mainstream forums, through publications like the periodical "Intelligence," persist in controversially upholding ties with the Mankind Quarterly, which enables these viewpoints to infiltrate more respected spheres.

The pervasive endorsement and establishment of white nationalist beliefs.

Individuals holding racist beliefs gained increased visibility and sway.

Public discourse has seen a growing prominence and influence of ideologies that promote a hierarchy among races, purportedly backed by scientific evidence. The publication of works such as "The Bell Curve" and Arthur Jensen's research on racial IQ differences has revived and provided an intellectual facade to long-standing racist stereotypes and supremacist ideologies.

The American Renaissance Foundation's conferences provide a platform for white supremacist groups to convene, presenting an intellectual facade to the belief in the existence of racial differences. The field of population genetics has arisen, yet the concepts concerning racial diversity continue to endure.

The surge in nationalism and extreme right-wing beliefs globally fosters a climate more conducive to embracing assertions rooted in the notion of racial differences purported to be based on science. The established conventions that emerged after the civil rights movement are now being tested by ideas that were once deemed peripheral within the political sphere of the United States.

Utilizing genetic research to propagate the notion that there are inherent disparities in intelligence and abilities among races.

Advocates who are gaining prominence today argue that societal imbalances stem from inherent racial differences, a stance suggesting that these disparities have biological underpinnings, which stands in opposition to the values of cherishing a variety of cultural backgrounds and promoting equal chances for everyone. They misuse genetic research to bolster claims of intrinsic superiority or inferiority between various ethnic groups.

Researchers like Bruce Lahn, whose work has delved into the genetic variations between different human populations, have inadvertently supplied information that has been utilized by some to support the notion of cognitive differences associated with race. People who firmly hold onto the notion that it is important to classify humans based on race continue to utilize this research to bolster prejudiced political beliefs, thus challenging the concept that there is a fundamental similarity shared by all humans.

The ongoing dissemination of publications such as "The Bell Curve," coupled with the support of the Pioneer Fund for certain projects and their association with organizations advocating racial disparity, indicates that the legacy of scientific racism endures. Modern science's enduring racial bias is also highlighted by the subtle inclusion of scientists from these publications on the editorial boards of well-known journals.

The book underscores how the rise of extremist right-wing thought within scholarly communities influences policy discussions, as evidenced by the funding of studies with racial prejudices and the attempts to disseminate these ideologies at the top levels of the US government. Recent political changes have enabled the growth of groups and the proliferation of ideologies centered on racial realism, highlighted by the increased visibility of individuals such as Jared Taylor and the promotion of white nationalist ideologies by people who have held positions like that of a senior advisor to the White House.

In summary, the resurgence of racial science in modern times poses a risk to the progress of a society committed to inclusivity and the unwavering upholding of the tenet that every person is deserving of identical rights. Some researchers, such as Lynn and Meisenberg, provide content that extremists exploit to advance their political goals, highlighting a concerning trend in the misuse of genetic studies. Efforts persist in challenging scientific racism, which is still propagated by outlets such as the Mankind Quarterly, despite their questionable scientific validity, underscoring the troubling reemergence of detrimental beliefs once thought to be extinct.

The misuse and misrepresentation of genetic research to reinforce racial prejudices.

The article scrutinizes the worrisome trend of using genetic and biological research to reinforce racial prejudices, highlighting inaccuracies and biases in the approach to scientific inquiry, and sheds light on the concept of "statistical racism" as well as the misleading use of population genetics.

Research into the genetic components linked to racial classification frequently includes biases and methodological flaws.

Investigations into the hereditary aspects of racial categorization encounter challenges because of methodological limitations, especially the overreliance on racial categories that lack a biological basis. Drawing broad conclusions from the slight variances seen between different populations is another prejudice that continues to propagate beliefs founded on racial bias. Persistent attempts are being made to pinpoint unique genetic differences across various "races" in order to justify cultural assumptions or explain the reasons behind diverse inequalities.

While theories such as those proposed by Wolpoff and Thorne suggested that separate human populations might have evolved into modern humans before mixing, potentially suggesting significant and deep-rooted differences among human groups, these theories remain unconfirmed and controversial as they might inadvertently support racist ideologies.

Works such as "Race, Evolution, and Behavior" by Rushton frequently cite questionable scientific practices and prejudices, aiming to gather evidence that lacks full credibility to support the concept of a racial hierarchy. Discussions in the scientific community have at times given attention to unverified speculations, such as the hypothesis about the importance of a single gene associated with Lahn, because they were presented as groundbreaking ideas in scientific circles.

The improper application of population genetics, frequently termed "statistical racism,"

The concept of "statistical racism" arises when flawed analyses of genetic differences are interpreted as indicating substantial separations between groups, despite the fact that the genetic diversity within any given group often surpasses the diversity seen between distinct groups. Medications designed for particular ethnicities may inadvertently solidify harmful stereotypes about intrinsic disparities.

Geneticists specializing in population studies often give undue importance to the minor differences observed between groups with close genetic ties. Additionally, the presence of certain genetic markers and the misinterpretation of genetic variation have led researchers to examine specific genetic differences in ways that conform to their pre-existing beliefs about the diversity between groups.

Scientific studies lack solid biological evidence to back racial classifications, and placing too much focus on these categories can lead to damaging assumptions and medical practices. The hypothesis attributing the high rates of hypertension among Black Americans to evolutionary selection during the era of slavery does not consider the impact of contemporary dietary and lifestyle factors on existing health inequalities.

Critics such as Jonathan Kahn have highlighted the problematic practice of employing racial reference points in healthcare settings, potentially leading to stereotypes and disparate treatment, with an increasing awareness among medical professionals about the challenges linked to the integration of racial considerations into clinical judgments. BiDil, which was marketed specifically for black individuals, exemplifies the dangers associated with promoting pharmaceuticals based on racial categories, despite its efficacy in people who are not of black ancestry.

It is crucial to understand that what is frequently seen as unbiased and logical in the conduct of science might be swayed by a viewpoint that places a higher importance on European standards and traditions. Biologist Mark Thomas argues that skin color falls short as a basis for racial classification, emphasizing that the considerable diversity in the genetics of African populations undermines the concept of classifying humans into clearly defined racial categories.

In summary, while racial categorization may serve a purpose in certain medical scenarios, it is essential to engage with these classifications with an awareness of their limitations and the potential to perpetuate antiquated, detrimental stereotypes.

Overcoming the persistent influence of racial prejudice in scientific research presents a considerable challenge.

Throughout history, the influence of scientific racism has been a significant barrier to unbiased scientific research and has deeply affected various facets of society. The persistent effort to distinguish genuine scientific inquiry from the detrimental effects of misapplying the notion of race-based scientific prejudice continues to impact society.

Origin tales and our intrinsic longing to feel distinctiveness have a significant influence.

The narrative of a community's beginnings plays a pivotal role in forming its sense of self, often linked with convictions of their uniqueness and superiority. Indigenous Australians have inherited a vibrant and continuously evolving cultural heritage. Multiregionalism challenges the notion of a single origin for humankind by proposing that the variations among races have ancient origins.

Myths emphasizing the unique beginnings of a population can often be challenging to debunk.

National and religious narratives often reinforce the notion of distinct origins, evident in the claims of indigenous groups regarding their primordial connection to a land or via the divisive theory that suggests different races evolved independently. Nationalist sentiments, like those visible in the Chinese belief of local human origins predating the African exodus, illustrate resistance to a shared human story. Meanwhile, narratives of nationalism and religion, such as the saga involving the offspring of Noah, or accounts that support a historical perspective favored by the governing powers which underscore Hinduism, demonstrate the profound human longing for a distinct identity.

Scientific inquiry is intricately intertwined with political and ideological forces.

The challenge throughout history has been to differentiate genuine scientific understanding from its exploitation for political purposes, which frequently masquerades as credible science and has been utilized to support racist ideologies. Modern Hindus' enduring belief in a unique Aryan lineage, coupled with the Indian government's maintenance of historical myths, illustrates the dangerous blend of political motives with academic discourse.

Frequently, claims that are presented as scientifically valid are actually based on ideas steeped in racism.

Scientifically justified racism persists not only as a historical artifact but also as an ongoing issue. Individuals like Meisenberg, who propose that intelligence disparities are signified by racial distinctions, coupled with the current trend among white supremacists to leverage scholarly qualifications to reinforce their beliefs, often blur the line between authentic scientific research and prejudice based on race.

Disentangling valid science from its misuse remains an ongoing struggle

The distortion of scientific information is not solely a historical problem. Modern advocates of racial bias continue to manipulate scientific findings to reinforce their beliefs. Whether it's misconstruing genetic diversity studies or misusing ancestry testing, the sediment of scientific racism contaminates the well of knowledge. The controversy over Kennewick Man emphasizes the profound impact that narratives of human beginnings can exert on cultural and political landscapes.

Ultimately, the challenge is to remain alert and guard against the subtle penetration of racial biases within scientific fields, constantly striving to discern factual evidence from beliefs tainted by ideology.