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Is Inequality Genetic? New Book Gets It Wrong

Alternet contributor Jesse Reynolds takes to task the book A Farewell to Alms: A Brief Economic History of the World by Gregory Clark for fanning bigotry's flames. In his book, Clark contends that England ruled much of the world and specifically India because its citizens had innate traits that emphasized education, hard work and societal regulations. "For an economic historian to attribute the gap in labor efficiencies between Britain and India, after more than 200 years of colonial rule, to 'socially induced lethargy' without discussing colonialism itself is simply stunning, if not downright offensive," wrote Reynolds. "The author doesn't leave it to the reader's imagination whether the bourgeois virtues of the British and the ineptitude of the non-European world have been culturally or genetically transmitted. During Britain's Malthusian generations, Clark claims that 'the attributes that would ensure later economic dynamism -- patience, hard work, ingenuity, education -- were thus spreading biologically throughout the population." Reynolds notes that there are no "known genes for Clark's middle-class values. And if they do exist, their contributions to reproductive survival would be so subtle and complex as to allow evolution to occur only in much larger timespans." Read what the White Guy has to say about how much race is determined by genetics. Also, read about how James Watson, the Nobel Prize winner who slammed Black intelligence, is "Blacker than he thought."

ESPN Anchor Curses Notre Dame, Jesus

ESPN anchor Dana Jacobson has reportedly been suspended for saying "F*** Notre Dame" during a Jan. 11 roast for ESPN Radio personalities Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic. Jocobsen and Golic regularly trade barbs about their alma maters. Golic is a former Notre Dame defensive lineman and Jacobson attended its rival, the University of Michigan. What's also been reported but not confirmed by ESPN is that Jacobson, who was reportedly drunk at the time of her speech, also said "F*** Jesus." ESPN is not releasing video of the Jacobson's speech at the roast, and Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, says that smacks of a cover up. "We know that Jacobson said 'F*** Notre Dame,'" Donohue told Cybercast News Service. "What we don't know is whether, as reported on some Web sites, she also said 'F*** Jesus' at the event. If she did, then that changes everything. … If she did, then it looks like we might be dealing with a cover up." One eyewitness to Jacobson's comments said it was an "embarrassing display," and a newspaper account said the crowd booed Jacobson, reports the Chicago Tribune. Meanwhile, Jacobson has issued an apology: "I am sorry. My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words. I also deeply regret the embarrassment I've caused ESPN and Mike and Mike. My actions at the roast were inappropriate and in no way represent who I am. I won't make excuses for my behavior, but I do hope I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment." Read which national commentator said "lynch" Tiger Woods and got suspended.

Why Do Latino Immigrants Identify More With Whites?

Two recent studies by Profs. Paula McClain at Duke University and Xavier DeSousa Briggs at MIT attempt to shed light on why Latino immigrants tend to identify themselves as whites over Blacks, reports National Public Radio. McClain, who studied Latino immigrants in the South, found that when they were asked which group they had the most in common with, Blacks or whites, most said they had most in common with whites. More than half of the Latino immigrants McClain interviewed in Durham indicated they had an unfavorable view of Blacks. Meanwhile, whites in Durham had a more favorable view of Blacks than did Latino immigrants. Briggs, who studied interracial relationships in 29 American cities, said Latinos with higher education are more likely to hold favorable notions of Blacks. He added that the workplace is a main arena for interracial interaction because whites tend to live and worship in mostly white communities. Read how Blacks and Latinos can overcome their differences.

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