How to Argue with a Racist: What Our Genes Do (and Don't) Say about Human Difference

Product Description


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, misconceptions are multiplying amid today's unprecedented surge of research on human genetics. We've never had a clearer picture of who we are and where we come from, and the science, when accurately understood, is a powerful and definitive ally against racism. But not nearly enough of these findings have made their way into the casual conversations we have about race.

This penetrating guide shows us how being a responsible and enlightened citizen on the matter of race today requires us to know what modern genetics actually can and can't tell us about human difference. Racial categories still vexing our societies do not align with observable genetic differences—and those differences are, in fact, so minute that they serve as evidence of our commonality.


Review


"A fascinating debunking of racial pseudoscience."-- "The Guardian (London)"


"Rutherford equips readers with the tools to discredit the prejudices of both racists and well-intentioned people."-- "Scientific American"


"Rutherford systematically deconstructs where and how [racist] biases arose...and why the science actually does not support these claims."-- "Shelf Awareness"


"Smashes race myths that plague society."-- "New Scientist"

Author/narrator Adam Rutherford's delivery is calm and measured. He shares his own background and experiences, and ties in numerous current events to address the need for science to push back against those who use biology, particularly genetics, to justify racism.-- "AudioFile"


About the Author


Adam Rutherford is a science writer and broadcaster. He is an editor at Nature, writes for the Guardian, and regularly presents programs for BBC Radio 4 in the UK. He has also presented several acclaimed science series for BBC television, including the award-winning three-part series The Cell. A geneticist by training, he has a PhD from University College London.