Excited
The Sunday New York Times ran an article today about the social implications of gene and DNA testing. Will it lead to further support of racial inferiority?
“Scientists, for instance, have recently identified small changes in DNA that account for the pale skin of Europeans, the tendency of Asians to sweat less and West Africans’ resistance to certain diseases.”
Asians sweat less? Really? I honestly didn’t know that. I know we’re lactose intolerant, alcohol digestive enzyme deficient (red glow), good at math. Don’t even get me started on the “L’s” and “R’s”. But sweat less, too? I guess they’ve never seen me whenever an old girlfriend would say, “Brian, I’m late…”
“Such developments are providing some of the first tangible benefits of the genetic revolution. Yet some social critics fear they may also be giving long-discredited racial prejudices a new potency.”
Here we go… “Social critics” (re: liberals). Oh for the love of God, what a bunch of bovine manure. We are different. It’s not the “difference” that’s dangerous. It’s the treatment and reaction to those differences that may be problematic. And knee jerk reactionaries are the problem. They hear a key word, and without any thought or deliberation, they grab a mental stock complaint form, check a few boxes, and file it. People are so afraid to point out “differences”. It’s like a dirty word.
Will racists use DNA tests as empirical evidence to argue that races are NOT equal? Sure (shocking)! But because a few people are going to misinterpret this information, it shouldn’t mean we quell the active pursuit of gaining that information.
“Well, what if you tell a young ________ – American that s/he isn’t genetically predisposed to being a doctor or lawyer or athlete or musician? That would dissuade that young impressionable child from ever pursuing his/her goals!”
If that’s the case, that stupid young impressionable child deserves to mop floors for the rest of his/her life. If someone points a finger in your face and tells you point blank, “You know, your people don’t genetically make good so-and-so’s. You should really just give it up now.” And you LISTEN? Please, don’t pass on your genes. Do humanity a favor and jump out a window, you no-resolve low-expectation horse’s ass.
Asians are told time and again, probably more so than any other race, what we are good at versus what we should never bother trying. We hear it overtly from within our own demographic, and a little more subtly from those on the outside. But we don’t need DNA tests or genetic statistics to feel the pressure of the invisible hand pushing us along certain career paths. Growing up here, we look around us (TV, magazines, film, music, etc.) and we see right away what’s the deal.
I was pushed into pursuing some cock and balls career I had no interest in. I even tried toughing it out and doing it. I was told more than once, “Asians aren’t funny. You don’t see that many Asians doing comedy. There aren’t any role models. Be smart. Give it up.” I always responded with a (figurative) “Go fuck yourself”. And stop with the ‘role models’ already. Be your own goddamn role model.
“There are clear differences between people of different continental ancestries,” said Marcus W. Feldman, a professor of biological sciences at Stanford University. “It’s not there yet for things like I.Q., but I can see it coming. And it has the potential to spark a new era of racism if we do not start explaining it better.”
And my point to all of this is: So what if there are clear differences? It is what YOU make it out to be. Perception is reality.
I know a lot of Asian guys who light up like Christmas trees the second they take their first sip of beer, but believe you me, that hasn’t stopped them from fulfilling their dreams of becoming degenerate alcoholics. That, my friends, is an iron will, DNA tests be damned.
How does this post make you feel?
- Fascinated
- Amused
- Bored
- Sad
- Angry
NOTE: 8Asians.com is a community, and we thank you for being a part of it. While we welcome and appreciate differences in opinion, if you're rude or you're promoting spam, we have a right to edit or delete your comment. Read our comment policy for more information.
If you see a comment that violates the 8Asians.com comment policy, you may flag the comment by mousing over the comment and clicking "FLAG."
"Asians Sweat Less"?
I'm a white dude. I play tennis. I've recently started playing more Asian partners. And of course my comments apply only to them (all four of them)--but yes, they sweat less than anyone else I've ever played with. None of them have to use traditional overgrips on their racquet handles to prevent their hands from slipping. More incredibly, they drink hardly ANY water while playing. It just astounds me. One guy brings ONE plastic cup full of ice water for over an hour of hitting. If I tried that, I'd collapse.
"Asians Sweat Less"?
I'm a white dude. I play tennis. I've recently started playing more Asian partners. And of course my comments apply only to them (all four of them)--but yes, they sweat less than anyone else I've ever played with. None of them have to use traditional overgrips on their racquet handles to prevent their hands from slipping. More incredibly, they drink hardly ANY water while playing. It just astounds me. One guy brings ONE plastic cup full of ice water for over an hour of hitting. If I tried that, I'd collapse.
I have the enzyme.
Yay!
I have the enzyme.
Yay!
Asians, and really Koreans, have lesser amounts of Apocrine sweat glands. These are the ones centralized in armpits, pubic areas, etc. They produce odor more, partially b/c of their location.
However, everyone has sweat glands all over their body.
Asians, and really Koreans, have lesser amounts of Apocrine sweat glands. These are the ones centralized in armpits, pubic areas, etc. They produce odor more, partially b/c of their location.
However, everyone has sweat glands all over their body.
i most certainly sweat less than my friends
i haven't done any running since last year, but i'm positive i can do two miles in under 16 minutes without breaking a sweat
this is something i notice a lot when everyone around me is soaked from a rough basketball game or tennis match or something, but i'm completely dry (but still dead tired)
i most certainly sweat less than my friends
i haven't done any running since last year, but i'm positive i can do two miles in under 16 minutes without breaking a sweat
this is something i notice a lot when everyone around me is soaked from a rough basketball game or tennis match or something, but i'm completely dry (but still dead tired)
Custom Search
Recent Posts
- Chinese New Year Lanterns
- Is Kim Jong Un Dead? Assassination Rumors Hit the Internet
- Help Fight Stereoptypes With Asian Crew Clothing
- Deftones’ Chi Cheng Wakes Up From His 3-Year Coma
- SXSW 2012 Has a Nice Handful of Asian Movies
- Woman In China Gives Birth To 15 Lb Baby
- Naruto & Dragonball Now Available On Barnes & Noble Nook
Recent Comments
- : @whereisthelove @Biffer It's not that I'm turning it into a tirade against Blacks but folks seem to be on a lovely Kumbaya trip thinking that... – What if Jeremy Lin Weren't Asian?
- : @PhucDat You've obviously never heard of the "no asians, no fats, no fems" that's commonly referenced in the gay community. It's very frustrating and makes... – Asian Men Have The Highest Salary
- : @Biffer I find it interesting how you've managed to transform this great story into launching an attack against african- americans. It's quite offensive for you,as... – What if Jeremy Lin Weren't Asian?
- : This whole article was kinda frustrating and ridiculous. "And maybe this will help put a little more desirability for Asian males in the dating pool."... – Asian Men Have The Highest Salary
- : while it was pretty hilarious, it's a little disconcerting that most of the people who responded didn't use spellcheck. – What I Learned From Posting A Dragon Lady Personal Ad
APA Events
Feb 16: Adam WarRock and Kirby Krackle: West Cost Tour Dates!!!
Feb 16: (New York, NY) Amar Chitra Katha: Monica Ferrell, Chitra Ganesh, Keshni Kashyap, and Himanshu “Heems” Suri of Das Racist
Feb 17: (Los Angeles, CA) All My Sons
Feb 18: (Stanford, CA) Stanford’s 16th Listen to the Silence Conference- Feb 18: (San Francisco, CA) NAAAP-SF Lunar New Year Gala 2012
Feb 25: (Los Angeles, CA) Past Present I Future Imperatives: Queer Space Time
Mar 3: (New York, NY) Vong Pak’s ‘Electric Shaman’ Concert
Apr 30: (Sacramento, CA) California Asian Pacific Islander Policy Summit 2012: iAdvocate
Staff and Contributors
- Editors
- Ernie Hsiung - Founder, Editor-in-Chief
- Moye Ishimoto - Co-Editor, Editorial
- Joz Wang - Co-Editor, PR & APA Outreach
