Friday, December 22, 2006

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Carl can't read, or can't comprehend?

The American Anthropological Association RACE project

Article:

CHANGING STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF RACE
Donna Hart, Ph.D.
Professor of Anthropology
University of Missouri – St Louis
St. Louis, MO 63121
Pamela Ashmore, Ph.D.
Professor of Anthropology and
Associate Director for the Center for Human Origin and Cultural Diversity
University of Missouri – St Louis
St. Louis, MO 63121

"Race as a social construct cannot be merged with scientific data about
human variation. Our aim is to create awareness that these are two different
factors,
hoping that the science provides students with a means to objectively
evaluate social, economic and political issues pertaining to human variation.
This may be one of the most effective educational tools to combat racism"


Hart_Ashmore




SAYING “SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED” IS NOT ENOUGH
John Hartigan, Jr., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Anthropology
University of Texas - Austin
Austin, TX 78712

"The starting point for most anthropologists who critically engage general
assumptions about race is that it is socially constructed. This basic stance, which
grounds much of our teaching and research, is now imperiled. In the course of
the last year, a variety of public, scientifically-authoritative assaults have been
made on this notion. As well, the consensus among geneticists that there is no
substantive basis linking genes and race is showing signs of fracturing. As a
result, we quickly need to reassess our argument that race is “socially
constructed.”
The good news is, though, that out of such a reassessment we
may yet find a more effective means of examining the continuing cultural
significance of race."


Hartigan





RACE AND BIOLOGY: CHANGING CURRENTS IN MUDDY WATERS
Francis E. Johnston
Professor Emeritus of Anthropology
Department of Anthropology
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104

"The 1992 meeting of the American Academy of Higher Education, held in
Phoenix, had as its theme “The Engaged Scholar.” Implicit within that theme and explicit in the lectures, presentations, and workshops was the message that our scholarship does not exist in an ivory tower, or a ny other type of vacuum. Our work is part of a larger whole that extends across disciplines and throughout history, as well as prehistory. Race is a complex term. On balance it is a socially and culturally-constructed one applied to social issues of great human significance. But race has a biological basis as well, perhaps scientifically important only in taxonomy, but of enormous importance in its cultural construction. We must keep the relationships between the two constructs clear, visible, and based on sound knowledge."

Johnston

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Muslim Hottie needs our help!


Vilified over sip of bubbly
By Luke McIlveen
December 06, 2006 12:00

THE state's most promising young Muslim leader has become the victim of a hate campaign because she celebrated with a glass of champagne after being named NSW Young Australian of the Year.

Iktimal Hage-Ali, 22, has been targeted on Muslim websites for drinking alcohol and declining to wear the traditional hijab. Her anonymous attackers condemned her after she drank the champagne to toast her award at the NSW Art Gallery last Thursday.
"It's true, I was celebrating. Bloody hell, I had a glass of champagne in my hand – so what?" Ms Hage-Ali told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.

The Islamic youth website Muslim Village posted dozens of messages berating Ms Hage-Ali. "A person who drinks champagne, especially unabashedly, cannot represent the Muslim community," one member wrote. Another added: "She knows we don't appreciate her representing us – but it's the power that drives her. Drinking champagne, that is sick." The cowardly accusers also berated Ms Hage-Ali for wearing "revealing" clothes, nail polish and make-up. "Her matching nails, eye shadow and top . . . were not . . . how Islam would like to portray a Muslim female to the wider community," one said.

Yet while the majority criticised her, a few did come to her defence.

"It wonderful that a young Muslim woman has won the award and that is a cause for celebration, not denigration," one chatroom member wrote. Ms Hage-Ali, who is a finalist for the national Young Australian of the Year to be named next month, said she was shocked by the tirade, but refused to tone her comments down. "I'm proud of what I have done, my family is proud, my friends are proud, my colleagues are proud," the State Government public servant and tireless community worker said. "They're not looking at the fact that a young Muslim person has won a prestigious award – they are looking for the negatives."

Ms Hage-Ali is regarded as one of the Muslim community's most progressive young voices since joining Prime Minister John Howard's Muslim Reference Group. She accepted her public profile would draw criticism but did not claim to speak on behalf of all Muslims.

Vilified over a sip of bubbly




Now they're trying to bust her for cocaine. She's about to lose LOST her award and maybe her job....

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Open Discussion

Until I can find or create something interesting to discuss.

Test














Blah Blah Blah, Worf sucks....