Co-sign.

The intital topic wasn’t about blacks or Africa, nor was it about people of predominantly West-African descent dominating certain types of sport, while people of predominantly European descent dominating others (such as swimming for example). It was not even about mulattoes rather than blacks being particularly successful in decathlon (Dan O’Brian, Dailey Thomson)

It was about hybrid vigour or heterosis which is sometimes attributed to Mulattoes, to Mestizos, to Eurasians and to Blasians, not to Blacks. Hybrid vigour is mainly believed to lead to increased resistance, vitality and health because positive (meaning biologically useful) genes tend be dominant while negative genes tend to be recessive. The more genetically apart the parents the bigger the chance for the child to inherit more positive genes.

In how far this can be applied to humans is not clear. Therfore those who completely reject hybrid-vigour have as much an agenda as those who advocate for it.

Hybrid vigour or not, in the case of Joakim Noah who is a quadroon it would more apply to his dad anyway. Joakim is still a bit young but he is good looking and said to be quite bright. All the best to him. His sister Yelena looks just like him, she is very beautiful and currently a top-model.
http://www.gatorzone.com/basketball/men/images/bioimg2004/Noah_Joakim.jpg

Moreover, skin color is not a true reflection of genotype. Michael Jordon has dark brown skin but unless you’ve performed a DNA analysis on him, how can you make any assessments on his genetic heritage?

Moreover, the line of argument around Africans and African-Americans in sports is really creepy. The whole thing about Africans being bred for slavery? Come on, what proof does anyone have of an active breeding program in Africa?

Uh, and less we forget, Europe had slavery, too. Right? Why does everyone want to overlook the fact that Europeans enslaved their own people throughout their history? Why does no one comment on European “breeding” programs? And, there was slavery in Asia, too. Why not discuss Asian breeding programs? Don’t the Japanese consider Koreans, their former colonial slaves, as inferior? Have you ever read about how ethnic Koreans living in Japan are treated?

As for the example of the biracial girl who didn’t like black people. She was a bigot. Bigotry is learned. If she was being raised by her dad, what was the reasn mom wasn’t in the picture? Did she believe that her mom left them because she was black? The reason she didn’t date black men was about her bigotry. There’s a difference between someone who just has a preference for a certain look vs. someone who has a history of prejudice against people of a certain “race.” Robert DeNiro dates African-American exclusively. That’s a preference vs hating “black” people. It’s not a question of biracial women, in general, not wanting to date a person with part of their racial heritage. Who cares.

Also, making generalizations about all biracials hating or disliking one part of their ancestry is rubbish. When did mixed-race people become uni-thinking and acting people? Gee, I don’t think Colin Powell or Jesse Jackson have the same philosophical ideas, though they both believe in affirmative action.

As for Africa being an impoverished continent, what does that say about anything? Latin America is very poor. Eastern Europe has terrible poverty, too. People talk about African-Americans and welfare (blah, blah, blah) but what about the poverty and welfare rates in the form East Germany? What about the ramapant poverty and drug abuse in Northern Ireland?

And, then to drag out female genital mutilation? Uh, the history of misogyny is not limited to parts Africa. Up until the 1980s, it was perfectly legal for an American man to rape his wife. Of course, we could also talk about burning “witches” at the stake; Henry VIII killing his wives because his syphillis killed his boy children; or the current sex slave of children and women from Eastern Europe; or the binding of women’s feet for the sexual gratification of men in China; or an American culture that makes women get breast implants to satisfy male desire or starve themselves to fit an unrealistic idea of feminine beauty; and we could look at the statistics that show the leading cause of death of pregnant American women is homicide by their partners (Scott Petersen).

There is a cultural bias that says America treats its women better than X or Y. The advances in women’s status in America results from a long, hard battle. How different was America in 1950 vs. 2006 for women’s rights? How long have women been able to vote or own land in their names? How is it that we live in a culture that still at times blames women for being raped?

I’m really disappointed that people actually by into junk science that tries to insinuate characteristics based on skin color.

Once again the disussion is centered around blacks. I’m soooooooo tired of those professional afro-apologists who get paid for defending/making excuses for blacks on the internet. Further proof that Black Americans have become far too powerful - at the expense of others: especially mulattoes.

His dad being mulatto - his dad Cameroon, mom French.

So, who wants to bet Joakim got Britney Fever too?

I’ve told this story before, but in Philly (and other areas, I assume) there are conflicts between the African-Americans and new immigrants of African descent, who are the new immigrants in the neighborhood. The complaints are those usually raised by a group fearing competition from a new ethnic group - taking jobs, taking social services, etc.

http://kyw.com/local/local_story_022154151.html

I used to share a dorm room with a girl whose family was from St. Croix (sp?) Her family immigrated to the U.S. when she was five and resided in Iowa. She also had some very negative stereotypes about black Americans and Puerto Ricans. Funny thing is that all she dated, or at least tried to date were Hispanics and she primarily socialized with the African-American students on campus. She even told me once that her family was “originally Dutch.” She had some serious identity issues and most disliked her. We had a very heated argument a couple of years ago because of something she said about blacks and puerto ricans (I descend from both) and I haven’t spoken to her since. But not all Africans and Caribbeans are like this. You have to get to know people as individuals.

No problem. Things can easily get a little heated when discussing race. Hell, at least there’s some discussion going on, which is more than I can say for society at large.

“Although, you must admit that you did Whitewash historical African slavery…”
No, I wouldn’t say so. I spoke only on West African servitude, which I am very familiar with. Even I had my share of “Aunties” and “Uncles” when I was growing up, and from my studies, that system had been in place for centuries.

But whatever. Let’s let that one die.

“What is your opinion on Africans vs African-Americans, btw? As in, compare and contrast the 2 groups? ”

Unfortunately, I can’t. Contrary to what is often bandied about, there is no monolithic “black community” — African or African-American. And if there is, I haven’t been invited to any of the meetings where they decide the “black community’s stance” on certain issues.

But I’m aware of the trend you speak of. I think it’s a bit of an oversimplification to reduce it to an “African vs. African-American” phenomenon (for example, where do Caribbeans come in?). I think there are simply some black groups (which include Africans, Caribs, and Americans) who loathe the lifestyle choices made by others (including Africans, Caribs, and Americans).

Do I like the way the mainstream media perpetuates “blackness?” No. Do I like the way certain black celebrities perpetuate “blackness?” No. Do I like the ever-shrinking box that defines acceptable/expected behavior from black people (especially black males)? Hell no.

But I don’t believe that if I was raised in America by American parents, I would freely say the word “nigga.” Nor would I restrict my cultural landscape to hip-hop culture and SoulPlane-type movies.

But then again, what do I know? I constantly hear about the strife among African Americans, Caribbeans, and Africans, I see instances of this on the internet and in the media, but I still can’t say I’ve had any firsthand experience in that area.

Still, I think there’s something to be said for shared cultural experiences. Most of my black friends happen to be Island-folk, and we get along just as well as we do with Americans, but things move more smoothly because you find there’s seldom any need to explain certain facets of culture.

Point of that rant? I often hear abou the “African vs. African American vs. Caribbean” war, but it seems almost a myth to me.

thanks

Well, sometimes I do love surprises. This is one of them. I certainly respect firsthand knowledge of anything…so touche on current affairs in Africa, then. I do know my limits.

Although, you must admit that you did Whitewash historical African slavery…

However, I look forward to more realistic firsthand reports on Africa that bypass our Western media filter/framing.

What is your opinion on Africans vs African-Americans, btw? As in, compare and contrast the 2 groups? I’ve heard before that many native Africans tend to take a Cosbyesque stance on African-Americans - while African-Americans tend to take a colorstruck elitist stance on Africans - viewing them as throwback savages.