CHAPTER+7+-+Race+Its+Biological+Dimensions

Adam Henry's Part

//**Race: Its Biological Differences**//
In every race there are certain Biological Differences. Someone who is Chinese, looks completely different from someone that is of Columbian decent. This is because of biology and the differences in DNA that make all races physically different from each other. The first thing that everybody thinks of when referring to a biological difference between races, it is most often skin color, almost every race has a distinct skin color. This along with some other features is one of the things first mentioned by the author, in chapter 7, when he refers to how people of Muslim descent were treated after 9/11, in airports across the world. People of Muslim descent were treated very unfairly after these tragic terrorist attacks on 9/11. Every person who had brown skin or a long beard was searched very thoroughly before boarding the plane or even entering the airport. Even today almost 11 years removed from the attacks these people are still treated the same way and rash thoughts enter peoples minds, when they are seen in airports or anywhere. The common phrase is, " That Arab probably has a bomb", and this is completely wrong. The author states that history and politics aside, one obvious problem with color- based racial behavior labels is that the terms don't accurately describe skin color. I mean black people are not black, they are various shades of brown, and yellow people are tan or beige. So to simply label an entire group by color is simply impossible but it was done and continues to be done to this day. The main problem with this is clearly the lack of respect for the other race in the past and the clear unwillingness for both sides of people to stop using the generic terms, "Black" or "Yellow". The true colors should be spoken about each race, so that one solitary label will not be heard.
 * //Races Are Not Biologically Distinct//**

**//The Case for Culture Versus// Biological Determination of Physical Attractiveness and Sports Abilities**
Culture is a key force when determining how the human bodies grow and develop. Cultural traditions promote certain activities and abilities, discourage others and set up standards of physical well-being and attractiveness. Physical activities, including sports, that are influenced by culture help build the body. In North America, girls, are encouraged to persue, and therefore do well in international competition involving, figure skating, gymnastics, track and field, swimming, diving, and many other sports. In South America it is completely different. Brazilian girls, for instances, although excelling in the team sports of basketball and volleyball, haven't fared nearly as well in individual sports as American and Canadian counterparts. Cultural standards is the main reason that some are told to excel in individual sports or in team sports and not both. Culture, not race it the reason that helps us understand many or most of the differences in the sports success of blacks and whites. Cultural factors help to explain why blacks excel in certain sports and whites in others. In American public schools, parks, sandlots, and city playgrounds, African Americans have access to baseball diamonds, basketball courts, football fields, and tracks. However because of certain restricted economic opportunities, many black families can not afford hockey gear or golf or ski equipment, take ski vacations, pay for tennis lessons, or belong to clubs with tennis courts, pools or golf course. In North America mainly light-skinned suburban boys (and increasingly, girls) play soccer, the most popular sport in the world. In Brazil this is different, the sport can be played by anyone, dark or light-skinned, because the sport is the national pastime.

Question: What are some situations that you can think of that incorporate these types of issues? In sports, the workplace, and religion?