Page 2 | ‘Mummy, why do all of the runners have black skin?’

MoiraRoseIsMyQueen · 2021-07-31T11:13:59+00:00

So, my 5-year-old has just asked this question while watching the 100m heats, and I’m struggling to answer! Does anyone have any advice on how to respond, without making generalisations or being racist? I am so sorry if I sound ignorant [confused] but I said ‘because people from Africa tend to be very good at running because of their genetics’ - and then thought that is probably not a good answer. Help!

ScaryHairyMcClary · 31/07/2021 13:28

I think it’s gaslighting to say that they are just the best for their country - you’re denying that they all obviously have something in common. There is surely a reason why people of Chinese ethnicity never win the sprinting and it’s not racist to explain it.

Rege · 31/07/2021 13:29

I’d have turned it around a bit and asked if she noticed all the gymnasts, swimmers, cycling, hockey teams etc etc were white and what did she think of that?

Sirzy · 31/07/2021 13:29

@ScaryHairyMcClary

I think it’s gaslighting to say that they are just the best for their country - you’re denying that they all obviously have something in common. There is surely a reason why people of Chinese ethnicity never win the sprinting and it’s not racist to explain it.

We are talking about explaining to a 5 year old though so their is nothing wrong with having a simple - but still true- explanation.

I don’t think we need to go into the genetics and such like for such a young child.

MyFloorIsLava · 31/07/2021 13:32

@Rege

I’d have turned it around a bit and asked if she noticed all the gymnasts, swimmers, cycling, hockey teams etc etc were white and what did she think of that?

The gymnasts aren't all white. Far from it. Can't comment on the other sports as I don't watch them.

mawbroon · 31/07/2021 13:32

"Because one or both of their parents have dark skin" was always my answer to this type of question.

Cookerhood · 31/07/2021 13:32

Ermm. All the gymnast are not white!

TokyoSushi · 31/07/2021 13:34

I think that different body types are good at different things and across the world people have different talents is a good explanation.

Just watching the discus now, led by to big white Scandinavians. Its not racist, they're just better at that event.

HappyDaysToCome · 31/07/2021 13:34

Well my DC just asked why swedish people are good at throwing (not sure exactly what they were throwing I wasn’t paying attention!). I said maybe it’s a sport that’s popular and well funded in their country.

My DC didn’t listen to me and concluded that it’s because they’re vikings.

TokyoSushi · 31/07/2021 13:34

**two

Blindleadingtheblind · 31/07/2021 13:35

It's not rude for a 5 year old to comment on skin colour. Its how they learn about the world around them. If it is never discussed how are they meant to leave about diversity and different races?

I mixed race and I remember asking my mum why she was brown skinned and my dad was pink just after I started primary school. It's natural inquisitiveness and I would have felt bad if she told me I shouldn't ask these questions bc its rude.

RichardMarxisinnocent · 31/07/2021 13:36

@ScaryHairyMcClary

I think it’s gaslighting to say that they are just the best for their country - you’re denying that they all obviously have something in common. There is surely a reason why people of Chinese ethnicity never win the sprinting and it’s not racist to explain it.

Well that's not completely true about Chinese athletes - Liu Xiang from China won sprint hurdles Olympic and World titles and held the world record.

Blindleadingtheblind · 31/07/2021 13:37

Learn*

Coronawireless · 31/07/2021 13:40

Why is it wrong to mention skin colour?
Is it because you think some skin colours are undesirable and shouldn’t be mentioned?

tempester28 · 31/07/2021 13:40

I think I would say - hmm good question. I don't think there should be any problem with discussing skin colour.

Bythemillpond · 31/07/2021 13:41

because people from Africa tend to be very good at running because of their genetics

I think this is perfectly honest. Backed up with that other sports you will find that certain countries or continents do better in different sports.

PurpleDaisies · 31/07/2021 13:44

I’d have turned it around a bit and asked if she noticed all the gymnasts, swimmers, cycling, hockey teams etc etc were white and what did she think of that?

Did you totally miss Simone Biles? Probably the most talked about gymnast on the planet?

Dmsandfloatydress · 31/07/2021 13:45

I would say that most people in the world have brown or black skin as they need more melanin as the sun is much hotter in most of the world other than in Europe. Therefore it's not unusual?

RichardMarxisinnocent · 31/07/2021 13:48

The gymnasts aren't all white. Far from it. Can't comment on the other sports as I don't watch them.
Was about to post the same about the gymnasts. The swimmers aren't all white either.

Insertfunnyname · 31/07/2021 13:50

I think some of you are twisting yourselves in knots trying to gaslight yourselves and others in an attempt to appear woke.

It is not racist to acknowledge that black people have a higher prevalence of whatever makes them faster. Fast twitch muscles or whatever. White bodies are better at swimming. Black bodies are faster. AS A POPULATION not true for every individual.

It’s not racist to recognise this. Certainly not rude to say it! It’s there in front of our eyes.

Why are there no Asians in the 100m final? It’s just physiological fact that in general black people are faster than Asians.

moonbedazzled · 31/07/2021 13:50

It's also down to culture. In the W Indies at school, the 100m is the race that all the children want to win and the best runners are really feted - a bit like quarterbacks in US or footballers in UK. However, no one is interested in long distance running. It doesn't hold the same kudos. Those winners then go on to do well and they become icons for younger talent coming through. Same in African countries for long distance runners. Same in Scandi countries for javelin etc. Same for Asian countries in table tennis etc. Of course all of them have to have huge ability to achieve like they do. But when a country achieves a huge haul like we did in 2012, it has positive ramifications for the next generation.

BlueorOlive · 31/07/2021 13:50

because people from Africa tend to be very good at running because of their genetics But they are not from Africa. Many are ^from the US, UK or EU countries.

I think this is a tricky and interesting question OP. I'd say
"some black people have bodies that are really great for running fast or long distance, it's due to their physique. Saying that, ds, anyone who loves running can train and try to be the best at running that they can and people with any kind of skin colour can be awesome runners."

Westchesterarms · 31/07/2021 13:55

@Coronawireless

Why is it wrong to mention skin colour? Is it because you think some skin colours are undesirable and shouldn’t be mentioned?

Its not because they think there are undesirable skin colours but I think it's because white people are scared to mention skin colour because they've been told to do so is racist and that they must not see skin colour. They're constantly worried that someone might take offence.

Piggywaspushed · 31/07/2021 13:57

mediadiversified.org/2016/08/19/its-not-about-the-genes-stupid/

ineedaholidaynow · 31/07/2021 13:59

@BlueorOlive but it can still be genetics and your explanation @Dmsandfloatydress doesn’t explain why black people aren’t so predominant in other sports

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 31/07/2021 14:01

@mawbroon

"Because one or both of their parents have dark skin" was always my answer to this type of question.

That's such a cop-out. Children aren't stupid and know when adults are evading a question. If kids can't get honest (age-appropriate) answers from their parents, they will get them from other kids or Google.