Name: Róbert Istók's review of How to Argue With a Racist by Adam Rutherford
Item: How to Argue With a Racist
Rating: 5
Author: Róbert Istók

Adam Rutherford

*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.

History, Science, Race and Reality

How to Argue With a Racist

Robert Codispoti

Race is not a biological reality. Racism thrives on our not knowing this. Racist pseudoscience is on the rise—fueling hatred, feeding nationalism, and seeping into our discourse on everything from sports to intelligence. Even the well-intentioned repeat stereotypes based on “science,” because cutting-edge genetics are hard to grasp—and all too easy to distort. Paradoxically, these misconceptions are multiplying even as scientists make unprecedented discoveries in human genetics—findings that, when accurately understood, are powerful evidence against racism. We’ve never had clearer answers about who we are and where we come from, but this knowledge is sorely needed in our casual conversations about race. How to Argue With a Racist enables us to have responsible, enlightened discourse by illuminating what modern genetics actually can and can’t tell us about human difference. We know now that the racial categories still vexing society do not align with observable genetic differences. In fact, our differences are so minute that, most of all, they serve as evidence of our shared humanity.

What Our Genes Do (and Don't) Say About Human Difference

Róbert Istók

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

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.

Abi Baker

if you're not black then you shouldn't be saying the n word. i don't care if you're quoting/being historically accurate, don't use it.

Irina Yashina

Kieran Richards

Sarah Hamilton

Jenny Hall

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.

Robert Codispoti &
How to Argue With a Racist by Adam Rutherford

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Robert Codispoti &How to Argue With a Racist by Adam Rutherford

Reviews

Join the club

Robert Codispoti &
How to Argue With a Racist by Adam Rutherford