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The first time I read the question "Are there differences in intelligence between races?" I thought it asked "Are there differences in intelligence between rats?" The latter question would have made more sense. There is no doubt that creatures (humans included) vary in intelligence, but to make generalizations about whole populations on the basis of their physical characteristics is absurd.

The intelligence of an individual should be based on his or her own cognitive abilities, not by an ambiguous, ascribed status that is socially constructed.

There is actually more variation in the DNA of individuals of the same race as there is between individuals of different races. In other words, a white person is more likely to have similar DNA to a black person than to another white person. Think for a moment about the variations in skin tone, hair color, hair texture, and eye color in those who are considered to be of the same race. If they are so different in physical appearance and genetic makeup, why do we persist in classifying them as a particular race of people?

Consider an individual of Middle Eastern descent; what race is that individual? Certainly, this person looks much different from a person from Ireland or Switzerland or Britain. Yet, this person is not dark enough to be considered black. Since this individual is not black, we categorize him or her as white.

Historically, race was based on ancestral lineage up until the mid 19th century. Until that point, race distinguished between different families. Using physical characteristics, such as skin color or hair texture, did not emerge until humans had to come up with a way to distinguish the masters from the slaves. The European Americans concluded that if a person had dark skin, he or she was black' and thus a slave. This applied to those who were actually of mixed descent as well.

My point is "race" is a socially constructed category and thus cannot be used to assess differences in intelligence. We place people into these categories through subjective assessments we make, based on physical appearance and culture. Furthermore, group membership is ascribed at birth; we are usually told as children what our "race" is. We are also taught to distinguish between people of different "races."

Genetically, there are few differences between the races, yet the concept pervades all of human existence. Race is functional for society because it helps people sort out the "us" from the "them."
The concept of race supports feelings of ethnocentrism, giving people justification for discriminatory practices.

Even if we are to believe that there really are distinct races, based on some genetic factors, does that really have anything to do with intelligence? Some people argue that intelligence is not entirely hereditary. Factors like prenatal care, nutrition, substance abuse during pregnancy, and trauma during pregnancy can explain differences in intelligence. We know that people living in poverty are at higher risk for these complications. We also know that blacks are more likely to live in poverty than whites. Wouldn't it follow, then, that blacks would have more problems that could contribute to reduced levels of intelligence, problems that have nothing to do with genetics? If so, we cannot claim one race is intellectually superior to another as long as there is such a gap between the life chances of blacks and whites.

As I stated at the beginning, it makes more sense to ask if there are differences in intelligence between rats than differences in intelligence between races.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Paige.
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