nate33 wrote:I'm not saying that we should be absolutely certain that there is a genetic component to the IQ differentials consistently measured between blacks and whites. I'm merely saying that we shouldn't rule it out just because it sounds mean. That's not science.
Fair enough, I don't want to rule anything out like that, either. But I do think cherry-picking data and twisting it a bit in order to confirm conclusions we held before we decided to look at things closer isn't exactly science, either. And I also think devising a system around something that a lot of people think might be the case even though it sounds mean but that they have no proof of at all other than anecdotal evidence and just a gut feeling that things really should point that way because they get scared every time something makes them uncomfortable because it isn't their norm so they look for anything to confirm that bias.
Find me the genetic component and prove that it's the same genetic component that is responsible for skin color that is also responsible for cognitive functions that would equate to higher IQ scores and I'll listen to you, nate. Until then, your theories are going to fall on deaf ears, because right now the genetic knowledge we have says the link you are suggesting doesn't exist.
As for your data regarding income, it's sooooo much more than that. Cultural bias on the test is potentially one factor. For example, the Canadian nursing industry recently adopted the American testing system for nursing licenses, and the results are a bunch of kids failing. Are we to take this as proof that Canadians are dumber than Americans? Even genetically so? And if we wouldn't adopt a genetic component to that argument, and would instead look to systemic issues, why wouldn't we do the same with black/white, knowing full well that it's highly likely there are significant systemic issues just because so many people allow their eyes to overrule their brains in everyday life? Because we want to let our eyes overrule our brains, too?
There are also many others. Like it or not, racism breaks down over the visual, so a lifetime of racism isn't necessarily conducive to higher test scores. Generational wealth and a long family traditions of pushing kids to do well in fields like maths, sciences, law, etc. also factor in here. Create a system, both familial and on the larger social scale where kids are constantly encouraged into those kinds of professions, idolize that type of thing, etc. rather than pro sports and other such things, and aren't constantly told they can't or shouldn't or facing barriers on levels that other kids just plain aren't, and then we'll see. The catch here, is that to get that kind of data, you actually have to fix the system first. And that's scary to a lot of privileged white folks.
