Kirik's "race" article....

Good stuff, generally speaking. But the article delves into complicated areas in a very sweeping and all-inclusive manner, in my opinion.

First let's begin with this: Race isn't something to be scared of. Race, like religion and politics, is a topic consistently cited as better left alone due to it's controversial nature. Race, conceptually and realistically, is simply a classification system for the human animal. Have some awful things been done in the name of race? Yes! But that doesn't make the concept bad or unnatural.

Wikipedia describes race as: "a classification system used to categorize humans into large and distinct populations or groups by heritable phenotypic characteristics, geographic ancestry, physical appearance and ethnicity."

And as we evolve, yes (as Kirik rightly establishes), that classification gets more and more difficult....

That aside, let's quickly establish the difference between race and nationality. Cheick Kongo is a black man, yes. Just like Carlos Newton and Anderson Silva. They are all very different when viewed through the lens of nationality. "Black" (for lack of a better term) is simply a loose description of a "heritable phenotypic characteristic". It doesn't mean they talk or act the same, or even have shared customs or values.

When an Irishman climbed into the ring with an Italian, as Kirik recalls, the fans were ignited by nationalistic passions. The racial aspect was mute. The idea that both would be considered "white" today hinges completely upon the person you ask, and where that person is from. Ever been to a Ricky Hatton fight? Those crazy bastards aren't screaming for a "white guy", they're screaming for an Englishman. "White", I'd opine, is the Americanized simplification of the diversity within the Caucasian ethnic spectrum.

That aside, I liked the article.

: ) Phone Post

Oh and FRAT.

And probably WFA, too. But thanks. Phone Post

I dunno man.

I have been in many a room watching MMA w/other fans and heard people yell out..."Beat that NI**ERS ass!!!"or "Fuck that S**C up!"

I see people rooting for MMA fighters often based on race.

voorhees - I dunno man.

I have been in many a room watching MMA w/other fans and heard people yell out..."Beat that NI*ERS ass!!!"or "Fuck that S*C up!"

I see people rooting for MMA fighters often based on race.
This is true
Saw chuck vs rampage II in riverside. Phone Post

voorhees - I dunno man.

I have been in many a room watching MMA w/other fans and heard people yell out..."Beat that NI*ERS ass!!!"or "Fuck that S*C up!"

I see people rooting for MMA fighters often based on race.
Yup. That's true. I don't disagree with that at all.

But, c'mon...are Anderson, Newton and Kongo NOT black? The guys you describe are dickhead racists, sure, but it has nothing to do with the assertions in my OP. Phone Post

. Phone Post