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Re: Indochinites

Dear Kevin & list,
	(RE your response, below) Well, being "western," "white" and a
"scientist" (albeit, social sciences rather than the "hard" sciences) I
do feel some degree of "licence" to critisize "my own." 
	I MIGHT concede the possible inaplicability of the term "white" - but
would NEVER concede "western" as inaplicable, as "western" culture
permiates the sciences (both hard & social) with ethnocentric bias to a
nearly comic degree (were it not also tragic). I am eternally
flabergasted by other anthropologists that make ethnocentric judgements
in their commentaries and even descriptions of their perceptions of
peoples of other cultures - it permiates the liturature from text books
(be they anthropology or sociology - both of which I teach at the
college level, and in which I have multiple degrees) - or psychological
(18year of clinical experience). 	
	So, no, can't say it is not a VERY western ethnocentricity, and while
you will now find many individual practitioners of science of various
ethnic backgrounds, western science IS steeped in a VERY "white"
tradition (greek culture, latin linguistics, etc.)  However,  my
emphasis was (intended to be) on "white ethnicity," not "race."
	I do think the one ethnic group in the world with a rather consistant
heiratage of conquest  and domination can withstand a minor dose of
criticism from within its own ranks. On the other hand, you are quite
right regarding "white," as it is not an issue of skin color, and I, in
no way, intended to triger an inflamatory issue.
	Should you care to discuss it further, I invite you to do so off the
list, as I would guess the majority of members have very limited
interest in further commentary into the history of western culture,
ethnicity & the vagaries of "race." 
	If anyone "of color" was offended by the term "white," please except my
sincere apology. 	
	Best wishes, Michael
---
kevin smith wrote:
>  M. Blood wrote:
> >Yet, white "scientists" continue to speculate about the possibility
> >they were imported for their talismanic properties...
-- 
> Michael, do you have a 'directory of scientists' that list their race?
> If so, why?
>  Also, if a black scientist went out and documented the source of the Tibetanites do you think this would end the use of the term
> "unsubstantiated reports"? Clearly it would, I think maybe the key here is 'scientist' not western or eastern or white or black.
>  K.S.

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