JSU237H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: International Political Economy, Sub-Saharan Africa, Scientific Racism
Document Summary
Biological explanations (re: immune system, eugenics, theory that some races are superior) Not all explanations are equal (some are good, some are bad) Evolutionary models show africans are distinct from europeans. Belief that everyone within the same race have the same genetic experiences. 2 people belonging to the same racial subgroup have less in common, genetically speaking compared to two individuals belonging to different racial groups. I. e. usa black birth weight is higher than african black birth weight. Cultural explanations advance a behavioural theory of suspectibility that focuses on the assumed peculiarities of so-called african behaviour. Moved away from genetics to differences in cultural practices. Some scholars will place emphasis on how african sexual practice such as: polygyny, divorce. Emphasis on fertility, spousal separation of economic activities (gender inequality in workforce), importance on marriage. Belief that sex, love and disease do not mean the same to africans .
