Posts with Comments by Ina
Genetics in the Movies
everyone, note the tendency to see what you are looking for. i suspect that anyone who is 1/8 black is basically white, and their "black" features are things that might intersect with african features, but are probably due to looking for something that might "fit."
But isn't that what the mind does automatically when determining race? It takes individual features and based on probability of occurence, categorizes into a racial group.
People determine this probability based upon their personal experience with those they associate with most. And since whites mostly associate with other whites (relatively), a white person needs a lot lower threshold to determine race. Light skin, skinny nose, and straight hair will do. However, to african americans, who average 20% admixture, the threshold will need to be higher.
So I don't think people are necessarily looking for features, more than some people instantly recognize features others don't based on the need to do so. This is similar to the cross-race effect which is defined as the tendency for members of a group to look alike to members of another group. For example, it took me forever to be able to see a hint of difference between Koreans and Chinese, however, a period of time spent around many Asians added to my threshold for determination.
But isn't that what the mind does automatically when determining race? It takes individual features and based on probability of occurence, categorizes into a racial group.
People determine this probability based upon their personal experience with those they associate with most. And since whites mostly associate with other whites (relatively), a white person needs a lot lower threshold to determine race. Light skin, skinny nose, and straight hair will do. However, to african americans, who average 20% admixture, the threshold will need to be higher.
So I don't think people are necessarily looking for features, more than some people instantly recognize features others don't based on the need to do so. This is similar to the cross-race effect which is defined as the tendency for members of a group to look alike to members of another group. For example, it took me forever to be able to see a hint of difference between Koreans and Chinese, however, a period of time spent around many Asians added to my threshold for determination.
David B:
"I'm sure Anon is right that people with some African ancestry can 'pass for white', because they *are* white! I wouldn't count anyone with less than 1/8 African ancestry as being 'black'."
As a white person, you are less likely to be aware of the range of colors african americans come in. If you see a black person who "passes" as white on the street, you see them as white so you won't make the mental connection. African Americans however always seem to have one random white looking relative who isn't really white, hence, they tend to pay more attention to facial features as well. Since coming to the US, I've spent a lot of time around african americans and have become very attuned to picking out features beyond just pale skin, since I've learned that this can be an incomplete signifier of race. I've had a couple of half white half black friends who are often mistaken for white. I have even more quarter black friends who might as well be white.
For example, here's a picture of Victoria Rowell's daughter. Victoria is half white, and half black. Her daughter has a white father and looks whiter than many whites I know.
http://www.mahoganycafe.com/ladies16.html.
In my experience, most people who are 3/4 white, 1/4 black can pass as white. See also Sailer's article about the white professor of genetics who discovered he was 22% black.
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=15042002-084051-5356r
"I'm sure Anon is right that people with some African ancestry can 'pass for white', because they *are* white! I wouldn't count anyone with less than 1/8 African ancestry as being 'black'."
As a white person, you are less likely to be aware of the range of colors african americans come in. If you see a black person who "passes" as white on the street, you see them as white so you won't make the mental connection. African Americans however always seem to have one random white looking relative who isn't really white, hence, they tend to pay more attention to facial features as well. Since coming to the US, I've spent a lot of time around african americans and have become very attuned to picking out features beyond just pale skin, since I've learned that this can be an incomplete signifier of race. I've had a couple of half white half black friends who are often mistaken for white. I have even more quarter black friends who might as well be white.
For example, here's a picture of Victoria Rowell's daughter. Victoria is half white, and half black. Her daughter has a white father and looks whiter than many whites I know.
http://www.mahoganycafe.com/ladies16.html.
In my experience, most people who are 3/4 white, 1/4 black can pass as white. See also Sailer's article about the white professor of genetics who discovered he was 22% black.
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=15042002-084051-5356r
Bwaaahahahaha!
Humor is one of the few activities, in addition to music, that require the use of multiple areas of the brain all at once.
The frontal lobe coordinates all this disparate activity and is quite useful in making split second observations and decisions. This is one of the reasons most funny people tend to be very quick with their humorous observations.
This would correlate with an ability to respond quickly to danger, hence the reason women seek this trait in men.
The frontal lobe coordinates all this disparate activity and is quite useful in making split second observations and decisions. This is one of the reasons most funny people tend to be very quick with their humorous observations.
This would correlate with an ability to respond quickly to danger, hence the reason women seek this trait in men.
Race Preferences for Medical Practice
Tangoman,
Not all black distrust of white doctors comes from lack of resources. I personally tend to take many things a white doctor tells me with a grain of salt. I do trust black doctors more simply because they are black. Being black alone would commend me to a B average doctor over a white A average one. I trust white doctors more if they show they are aware of biological differences between black and whites. If not, I may be tempted to discount his advice in some instances and calibrate for what makes the most sense to be. And in that case, what's the point of seeing a doctor?
You have to understand that in this country, blacks (correctly) tend to regard "general" information as being pertinent more to whites than to blacks. e.g.
Osteoporosis - All the TV adverts urging all women to drink milk fail to mention that I as a black female am not very likely to get osteoporosis, while milk fat could contribute to my health problems.
The point is, living as a minority who is biologically very different from the general populace, I need the psychological comfort of a doctor who looks like me. I think it may yield in better healthcare for minorities, not because there is a higher quality of care, but because my psychological comfort makes me more likely to follow the advice of a doctor. And that is the crucial piece for achieving good health......
Not all black distrust of white doctors comes from lack of resources. I personally tend to take many things a white doctor tells me with a grain of salt. I do trust black doctors more simply because they are black. Being black alone would commend me to a B average doctor over a white A average one. I trust white doctors more if they show they are aware of biological differences between black and whites. If not, I may be tempted to discount his advice in some instances and calibrate for what makes the most sense to be. And in that case, what's the point of seeing a doctor?
You have to understand that in this country, blacks (correctly) tend to regard "general" information as being pertinent more to whites than to blacks. e.g.
Osteoporosis - All the TV adverts urging all women to drink milk fail to mention that I as a black female am not very likely to get osteoporosis, while milk fat could contribute to my health problems.
The point is, living as a minority who is biologically very different from the general populace, I need the psychological comfort of a doctor who looks like me. I think it may yield in better healthcare for minorities, not because there is a higher quality of care, but because my psychological comfort makes me more likely to follow the advice of a doctor. And that is the crucial piece for achieving good health......
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