How to Argue With a Racist History, Science, Race and Reality

Adam Rutherford — 2020

*THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER* 'Nobody deals with challenging subjects more interestingly and compellingly than Adam Rutherford, and this may be his best book yet. This is a seriously important work' BILL BRYSON Race is real because we perceive it. Racism is real because we enact it. But the appeal to science to strengthen racist ideologies is on the rise - and increasingly part of the public discourse on politics, migration, education, sport and intelligence. Stereotypes and myths about race are expressed not just by overt racists, but also by well-intentioned people whose experience and cultural baggage steer them towards views that are not supported by the modern study of human genetics. Even some scientists are uncomfortable expressing opinions deriving from their research where it relates to race. Yet, if understood correctly, science and history can be powerful allies against racism, granting the clearest view of how people actually are, rather than how we judge them to be. HOW TO ARGUE WITH A RACIST is a vital manifesto for a twenty-first century understanding of human evolution and variation, and a timely weapon against the misuse of science to justify bigotry.

Reviews

Róbert Istók@robertistok

Mar 19, 2023

Great book debunking some myths and presenting the science and data behind.

Bec@becandbooks

Oct 10, 2021

Rutherford presents a book that explores a subject which is typically steeped in social commentary, in a way that is much more methodical and scientific. In particular, this non-fictional book is an exploration of how the facts around genes intertwines with the racism we recognize in modern society. It is important to understand the way in which this book explores the topic. While Rutherford provides incredibly in-depth and well explained arguments, the nature of a scientific perspective on a topic so steeped in emotional connotations can appear, at times, cold. This shouldn't take away from what the author presents, though. Rutherford clearly explores both sides of an argument. In addition, he is incredibly clear and open when he does not know the answer. These are concepts that are to be well-respected. If you are more analytically minded and want to explore these issues further, I recommend you check this book out. Thank you to Libro.FM and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this audiobook. This does not impact my opinions, whatsoever.