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librarymouse's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This book offers a nuanced perspective on the history of attempting to find biolo ical difference between individuals on the basis of perceived, nd often arbitrary categories. Rather than outr ght dismissing the possibility that there could be biological differences in ethnic groups that we have not discovered yet, Saini works from the perspective of the social impact of this type of race-based research and explores the ethical dilemmas that stem from it. One of her major points addresses the reality that the ways people are categorized or studies, in terms of race, are often arbitrary and poorly defined. The defining factors are social, and often lack rooting in scien ific application.
Saini also explores the history of weaponized race science, leading back to the Nazis. There's a common belief that after world war II not the ideology fell away to a more liberal worldview. Saini explores the ways and which this perceived history is incorrect and the outcomes of having a hidden ring of bigoted, attempting to work science to suit their beliefs. The same groups that claim that there is a secret Jewish cabal running the world actually do work in the shadows, funding or being funded by wealthy individuals and/or organizations for work intent on proving racial superiority in one way or the other, regardless of how many lies need to be told and test results need to be warped to reach that outcome. Saini covers many bases, addressing the issue of race science across the globe, but she pays special attention to the powder keg that is the United States, and the unique circumstances that lead to the current political climate and infrastructure.
Saini also explores the history of weaponized race science, leading back to the Nazis. There's a common belief that after world war II not the ideology fell away to a more liberal worldview. Saini explores the ways and which this perceived history is incorrect and the outcomes of having a hidden ring of bigoted, attempting to work science to suit their beliefs. The same groups that claim that there is a secret Jewish cabal running the world actually do work in the shadows, funding or being funded by wealthy individuals and/or organizations for work intent on proving racial superiority in one way or the other, regardless of how many lies need to be told and test results need to be warped to reach that outcome. Saini covers many bases, addressing the issue of race science across the globe, but she pays special attention to the powder keg that is the United States, and the unique circumstances that lead to the current political climate and infrastructure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Hate crime, Classism, Colonisation, Mental illness, Misogyny, Police brutality, Child death, Chronic illness, Slavery, Antisemitism, Child abuse, Death, Medical content, Medical trauma, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Terminal illness, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Islamophobia
Minor: Pregnancy
erenreads12's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This was a comprehensive, detailed guide to the roots of race science and the pervasiveness of old ideology, made modern by the nurturing of racist sentiments and spaces. This feels like an important read for anybody who wants to begin to learn how to be anti-racist, but especially for those in scientific fields, particularly in research.
This was, unsurprisingly, very science heavy, particularly in the beginning - here it felt at times inaccessible, and I had some difficulty understanding the scientific theory presented. However, by and large Angela Saini does a good job of making the science and theory as understandable as possible. If you're picking up this book, be prepared for the technicalities to be sometimes challenging - but I would recommend picking it up nonetheless.
This was, unsurprisingly, very science heavy, particularly in the beginning - here it felt at times inaccessible, and I had some difficulty understanding the scientific theory presented. However, by and large Angela Saini does a good job of making the science and theory as understandable as possible. If you're picking up this book, be prepared for the technicalities to be sometimes challenging - but I would recommend picking it up nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Racism, Slavery, and Xenophobia
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