To wonder what Black athletes have....

[CrispyCod]

......that make them so superior in performance. It has to be genetic. I am in awe of them as they appear to glide effortlessly around the track. The Jamaican athletes are just wow! Their speed is just amazing.

As an aside, the 'private' schools in this neck of the woods - and the grammar schools - are populated largely by affluent people. A higher than proportionately average of the population (8% non-white in the UK), some 20-25% are of Asian Indian and West African descent. So I'm not believing education is always a precursor to sporting achievement. We had that discussion on state v private and it was frequently down to funded scholarships not money.

creightons remark wasnt racist, i thought it was quite funny, and made a good point.

There is discussion of the foulness that was slavery and discussion of that - is that racism?
There was speculation that different people have evolved in different ways, based on the conditions that they live in - racism?
There was a theory that different body types and different body shapes are better suited to different types of sports - racism?
and my husband's joke about the lions, of course - is he racist against himself?

now, these theories may not be correct, but that doesn't make them racist. It isn't racist to discuss evolution, body types, diversity, a body type being better suited to one thing over the other.

Well said, Hecate. As I mentioned earlier my dh is also black (Nigerian descent) and son's mixed race, and I have found this thread very interesting. They're both v athletic (well dh not so much now he's hurtled past 50 . Pple shouldn't assume that black = poor, btw, ds competed at international level at rowing notwithstanding that he's mixed race. We're not poor by any standards, but the rowing coaching costs all of £24 a month, and all equipment is provided for.

Nancy66 -

I don't think that is what is being said (or at least if it is it doesn't make sense!) .

I don't think anyone is saying that population level genetic variation is unfair - just that it exists.

feak - Sole is reversing what creigton said back a page

are you whites enjoying yourselves on this thread

Reacriieghtons post replace black with white. Not racist apparently was funny.

Im off - i was pleased to see a discussion on this, i think its interesting, but it seems it can't be had without people taking offence. Im sorry if i have offended anyone it certainly wasn't my intention. I have been the victim of racism so im very sensitive about it actually. For what its worth, i know of someone who will be starting a masters degree on evolutionary genetics, investigating just this question - shes black. I'm out.

I think my point has sort of been made here.

Solesouces reversal and the response it got, I expected. Not that it's right.

Solesource - NOW the thread has tipped over into full-blown vile racism instead of slightly uncomfortable discussion that is arguably, perhaps unintentionally racist in parts,

Well done. (heavy sarcasm)

Sole - i was referring to rowers being used to sitting on their arses all day thats why they are good at rowing. It was funny, see, a joke - not racist, just funny

I wandered in late, flipped the thread and that was the first thing I saw. Made my heart hammer.

I can't find Creighton's comment but that wasn't nice. Took me back to PE at my first primary school

It was a response to this remark up thread

"are you whites enjoying yourselves? "

asked in all seriousness. "You whites"

and, I think, the mention of the person not being racist, just 'inverting' the comment (that nobody made, because nobody said anything about anyone being lazy [baffled])

So what are you suggesting SoleSource - that creighton should read all the stereotypical crap musings on this thread and NOT take umbrage....? Why?

There has been some valid discussion, but there has also been a lot of utter bilge spilt on this thread. It's no wonder some people are pissed off.

solesource, didn't you mention big nostrils in one of your posts? which of my vile remarks should i apologise for?

ghost ship, i have never said that black racism is oky or that white people cannot be victimns of racism.

hecate, you say there is a difference between racism and ignorance. do you know how tiring it is to listen to 'ignorance' generation after generation (yes i am quite old)? and to hear the same old shit spouted by young people as was heard 20 or 30 years ago is depressing

Sassy why are you ignoring the fact that that comment was first said by creighton, of reference to whites?

Funny how people weren't shocked and offended then.

Creighton - I didn't mean that's your view personally, sorry if it came across that way.

Nurse that is your imagination. My child's Father whom is Black and an ex athlete told me that. Keep trying racist.

Told you what?

JumpingThroughHoops I don't think either of them are funny actually, thanks.