It was a mis-use of statistics to suggest a larger problem than really exists, in order to justify a wholesale treatment of a race of people differently because of the actions of a few.
It was the basic fallacy of the stereotype. So there was one incident in a theme park. Does that mean that you need to avoid ever going to a theme park anywhere if you find out there is a “minority” event at the park? That’s what Derb wrote, and it’s absurd — and frankly, it is a racist statement.
I think we are in a civil war in this country, because of race, but I don’t think we need to give into the war. We need to end the war.
Derbyshire’s decades old anecdote about the theme park was silly; his tone was offensive in much of the essay.
But the sad truth is, we are often not talking about the actions of “a few.” When one third of Baltimore’s young black men are under the supervision of the criminal justice system, that is, awaiting trial, in jail, or on probation, and there are others who have never been caught or who have served their time, we are not talking about a few, a small fraction.
Granted that some of that number might be innocent and unfairly charged or convicted. Granted that some of that number might not have committed crimes against persons or property - just smoking marijuana perhaps - although that is such a small offense an over-worked criminal justice system tends to let it go.
It is not a small number, and Baltimore is not the only city with a similar fraction of young black men with criminal histories.
“It was a mis-use of statistics to suggest a larger problem than really exists, in order to justify a wholesale treatment of a race of people differently because of the actions of a few.
It was the basic fallacy of the stereotype. So there was one incident in a theme park. Does that mean that you need to avoid ever going to a theme park anywhere if you find out there is a “minority” event at the park? That’s what Derb wrote, and it’s absurd — and frankly, it is a racist statement.
I think we are in a civil war in this country, because of race, but I don’t think we need to give into the war. We need to end the war.”
Are you kidding me? A “misuse of statistics”? Based on my PERSONAL experience over the past 35 years and based on reading and following local and national news for the past 35 years (since I was about 12), there is nothing he said that was not right on the money. Yep those conclusions are statistically significant. Not only that, but another indirect piece of damning information is the percentage of the black population behind bars compared to the percentage of the white population behind bars. And NO, contrary to what Holder would have you believe there is no systemic bias against blacks in the judicial system - they are generally held to the same standard. If you disagree, produce the academic evidence that suggests otherwise - it doesn’t exist.
Actually I should correct myself there - Holder doesn’t even maintain that there is bias against blacks in the judicial system - he simply wants the percentage of blacks convicted to be the same as for whites after adjusting for the general population percentages of both races. He would do this even if meant having two DIFFERENT standards of justice for the different races.
As for the Bell Curve, I suggest you read it. Or if you don’t have time it is available on audio as well - you could listen to it on your commute. As was indicated earlier in the thread, in spite of the hysterical liberal critics who produce blatantly fallacious criticisms of it, it has withstood criticism quite well. The argument that all IQ tests are hopelessly culturally biased is bunk.
Take a close look at what you see around you on a day in and day out basis. And if you’re feeling very brave (or lucky), take a liesurely stroll in the black section any major (or not so major) urban area in the country at around 2 AM. Good luck with that.