These two examples, physical prowess and intelligence, are a recapitulation of views that were aired at the birth of genetics as a discipline, a century ago, when racism was far more culturally acceptable. Arguments to support people’s casual observations sometimes take this form: “Jews are good at intellectual pursuits because their own history of persecution and association with financial businesses over centuries has rewarded and bred superior cognitive abilities into them.” Similarly: “Centuries of enslavement have bred physical power into Black people, which accounts for their success in
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