On page 233 of Race: The Reality of Human Differences, Vincent Sarich and Frank Miele write that “. . . recognition of average race differences, in our opinion, does not inevitably lead to racist attitudes or policies.” However, the supposed “recognition” of putative differences in natural intelligence among “races” always leads to racist attitudes and policies. History makes this point abundantly clear, as we have seen with eugenics policies, attacks on affirmative action, entrenched racial discrimination, etc.

This is what is so upsetting about race scholars. Miele and Sarich write on several pages in their book about the “implications” of the work of other scholars. However, they expect the readers to believe that they are blissfully unaware of the insidious, invidious, racist and downright dangerous implications of their own research. They want to present themselves as kindly, well-intentioned scholars whose research could never influence and encourage racism of any kind. This is nothing short of cowardly and disingenuous, at best.

Oddly, they write about “ethnically targeted weapons.” They give examples of how warriors have attempted to eliminate people of different races throughout history. They write:

A report of the British Medical Association entitled Biotechnology Weapons and Humanity, written by Malcolm Dando, concluded: ”If there are distinguishing DNA sequences between groups [the DNA print methodology has demonstrated there are], and these can be targeted in a way that is known to produce a harmful outcome, a genetic weapon is possible.” Dr. Vivienne Nathanson, chairman [sic] and organizer of the BMA project, stated that “With an ethnically targeted weapon, you could even hit groups within a population. The history of warfare, in which many conflicts have an ethnic factor, shows us how dangerous this could be.” In fact, research and development of such “race bombs” have already taken place in at least two different countries. (p. 252)

The authors go on to discuss the fact that the South African apartheid regime and Israel worked on such weapons. Sarich and Miele also maintain that such “biological race bombs can be developed by small terrorist groups.” (p. 253)

It boggles the mind that the authors cannot even seem to fathom the idea that research such as theirs just might greatly contribute to the idea that certain races need to be eliminated via such weapons.

After all, if a historically despised and oppressed race is deemed stupid, why would not many of those in positions of power not want to seek ways to have them further oppressed, if not entirely annihilated? It has already been attempted too many times in the not-too-distant past.

The notion that different races exist is not necessarily without merit. After all, people from different human groupings respond differently to various medical treatments, are more susceptible than other groups to certain diseases, etc. However, to make a fetish out of supposed racial differences to argue that some races are simply not smart enough to succeed in life is morally reprehensible and irresponsible.

The belief that some races are less intelligent than others has detrimental influences upon members of the group deemed less intelligent. For example, as many Black athletes have observed, you can often tell the race of the person being discussed in a sports story based solely on the language used. Black athletes are much more likely to be described as having “natural” or “raw” talent, whereas White athletes are more likely to be considered “smart,” “intelligent,” etc. Moreover, Black athletes are much more likely to be accused of making “dumb” mistakes, whereas Whites are more likely to be considered to be simply making rare errors.

This fact caused an uproar in the 1980s when basketball star Isaiah Robinson charged that if White star Larry Bird were Black, the mainstream media would see him as just another basketball player. What was lost in Isaiah’s complaint was his contention that Black athletes are more likely to be seen as natural, animal-like athletes, and White athletes are those most likely to be considered smart, hardworking, etc. This situation has changed for the better in recent years. However, the racist stereotypes about Black athletes persist.

A good example is quarterback Geno Smith, drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL by the New York Jets. Jarrett Bell of USA TODAY Sports, wrote:

Not a student of the game. Not committed or focused. Marginal work ethic. When a Pro Football Weekly scouting report on West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith surfaced recently, containing damning proclamations by analyst Nolan Nowrocki about the habits of the top-rated passer in the NFL draft, it made me shake my head. Here we go again….Even in 2013, it’s apparent that conditions remain in this society where analysis is clouded by racial bias. It’s easy to slap a stereotypical label on a minority - from quarterbacks to the blue-collar men on the street - without the benefit of doubt. (“Racial bias builds hurdle for Smith: West Virginia quarterback is latest target of unfounded reports,” USA TODAY, April 22, 2013, p. 3C.)

This constant belittling of Black people’s intelligence is par for the course in American sports analyses. One can only wonder how much of Black failure at all levels of society is a result of self- fulfilling prophecies. No one knows for sure how Smith will turn out. However, he has already put forth challenges to the stereotypes. Bell wrote that Smith was trained by former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer, head of an elite passing camp. “Geno showed up, and on Day 1, he could have taught it,” Dilfer told USA TODAY Sports. ’He didn’t know it, he owned it. The Pro Football Weekly report should be discarded,” Dilfer added. “It’s almost laughable, the stuff he put in there.” (ibid.)

Other Black quarterbacks have impressed in recent years. In 2012, Robert Griffin III (aka RGIII) of the Washington Redskins,, Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks, and Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers demonstrated that they might be the wave of the future. This is especially impressive in light of the fact that African Americans are supposedly too dumb to be able to play the position at an elite level.

Similarly, for years, Blacks were thought to lack the intelligence and leadership skills to be successful coaches. However, in recent years, Tony Dungy, former coach of the Indianapolis Colts, and Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers have won Super Bowls, and other Black coaches have had impressive seasons. Moreover, Black coaches have won at the elite level in the National Basketball Association and in Major League Baseball, as well as in basketball and football at the elite college level..

Contrary to the claims of White scholars, Black people can succeed academically and in other areas requiring intelligence. Greater success will be largely due to the fact that, unlike racist scholars, many teachers believe in the potential of Black people. These teachers will not write Black people off as being incapable of learning. On the contrary, they will continue to insist upon excellence, and they will find it. Society must find more creative and imaginative ways to tap into the potential of Black students.

If we all pull together, we can put the race scholars to shame, just as they have already been put to shame repeatedly by other groups deemed too stupid to make it.