Do you support or disagree w/ this statement?

Question

“there are no races there are only clines”

why?

Answer 1

"A cline is a gradual change of a character or feature (phenotype) in a species over a geographical area, often as a result of environmental heterogeneity. In population genetics, a cline could include a spectrum of subspecies. The change in phenotype does not result in different species as long as the geographically spread populations can interbreed with one another. This meaning of cline was introduced by Sir Julian Huxley."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cline_(popu...

The definition of cline is apparently wrong.  Even species of hominids apparently formed without geographic isolation unless you want to throw away "Out of Africa".  Habilis cohabited with erectus 1.5 million years ago.  There are many other examples in nature where adaptive radiation can occur without geographic isolation.  Races definitely exist but the borders are often indistinct and the differences often superficial.  The term race works just fine whereas cline seems to imply that differences in geography are the only driving force.  Otherwise, what the point in not just calling them races.

Answer 2

I do agree there is no such thing as race.  Biologically speaking.

I mean, if something as silly as skin color is going to define the differences between two peoples, then we can use anything.

There are an infinite amount of skin colours out there, from pale white to black, brown to tan, pink to umber.  

If we are to use skin color as a seperator, then there would be over 6 BILLION races on this planet.

Answer 3

Incorrect. There are races, except when PC attitude gets in the way. Clines does not qualify to explain the distinctions among people.

Answer 4

Bravozulu pretty much said it all.  There is simply a political movement that makes it impolite to recognize the differences that a child of 4 could easily see.  It is not being a racist to open your eyes.  Most racial differences are due to humans adapting to different environments.  There is certainly lots of blending and it would be a mistake to assume that skin color means more than increased melanin to deal with more ultraviolet rays.