I'm not Jewish and I'm not Asian. However, it seems to me that both the Jewish and Asian groups I'm familiar with value education and put great emphasis on education when raising their children. This is much to their credit, and it completely sucks all mystery out of the question "Why are Jews and Asians overachievers?" They're overachievers because they're raised to be overachievers. This isn't a mystery. It's not even mildly surprising.

So why was that New York Magazine article written in the first place? That's the interesting question.

I am black african and I think blacks are intellectually inferior compared to other races!

Ehan bring ignominy to genes which is quite uncalled for.

Anyone who doesn't think race and class have a direct impact of the American educational system should read Jonathan Kozol's classic, "Savage Inequalities," or his more recent "The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America." He gives stark portraits of the differences between educational opportunites afforded to white and black, rich and poor, and who he cares about: the students. He backs up much of what Cleopatra has said, but in less convoluted language. By the way, anyone who thinks people are the way they are because of their skin color or religion is just too stupid to even bother with.

L'Em, do you have a point?

hey, if Jews really are smarter than everyone else, then how do you explain the IJC's (interchangeable jappy chicks) in Murray Hill?

did any of you read that New York Times article about asians/koreans - it didn't say anything about being the 'smartest', only that its very common for asian parents to put their kids under tremendous pressure to academically perform (e.g. not going out after school, no/limited TV). Hell, if all your kid did was study 24/7, it wouldn't matter what race you are, you're going to get results - at what cost though to your kids psyche though, who knows? It's pretty common to hear about asian college students committing suicide because of the pressure they're under in the U.S. and abroad.

"Culturalism"? Ha! And I always thought it was my Greek genes driving me towards a girl's poopy-hole, but all along, it was the tzatziki overdoses!

Next week: The effect of General Tsao's chicken on penis size in Asian populations.

"Frankly, I don't have time to break down the American eduacation system but if you're interested in a modern example, just look at Mayor Bloomberg's new education reform, the results of his standardized testing, the rates of what group of children are graduating and who is not, who is dropping out and who is not."

how does that give Asian students an advantage?

The differences are not RACIAL: all people of all "races" have the same innate cognitive abilities to learn, process information, and communicate. The differences are CULTURAL. Asians and Jews have a culture that cherishes knowledge, wisdom, community, and entrepreneurship, more so than other cultures, specifically African and Latin American cultures. So, the real issue is culturalism, rather than racism.

In response to ...

"When we speak about essentialist notions and truly believe they are fact we are failing to recognize an American education system that has been created solely to benefit white and Asian students."

excuse me, how so? - especially for asian students?

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Well, that's a loaded question. Frankly, I don't have time to break down the American eduacation system but if you're interested in a modern example, just look at Mayor Bloomberg's new education reform, the results of his standardized testing, the rates of what group of children are graduating and who is not, who is dropping out and who is not. Account in the facts about what schools are funded and who the majority is at those schools.

This is me, and you don't have to agree, but I don't by that specific races have certain qualities, be it smarts, traits or whatever that are "essential" to them being black or white or Asian or Jewish or anything.

By my statement, I meant just that. I don't think essentialist notions are fact. I just don't. And when we just say oh this group is just naturally smarter or this group is just naturally dumber, then there a problem with that. You aren't factoring in the way the system works and how it has worked historically. You aren't looking at how the education system is designed to benefit certain groups and fail others.

Now if we are going to talk about if the educational system in the U.S. versus Asia, then things change. But for me, I dont buy into essentialism. You don't have to agree.

Jews aren't any smarter than other races, tribes, nations, or what have you. The article is incredibly dumb.

The negative corralary is that there are races out there that are dumber. THAT is why ppl don't like the article. While flattering, it is a stupid stupid article

it's a tough call-- on the one hand, there is legitimate content in the article-- and it is an interesting read. on the other, it brings out a bad reaction in people-- but i suppose new york magazine really doesn't need to have a redeeming social purpose.

As long as we're playing with racism and stereotypes, where do Jews rank in the greed and power scale? Or the bad landlord scale? Or the cause of social inequality, war and exploitation of lesser people scale?

Justified or not, I would be careful flaunting a superior, chosen-one, race-religion status because we all know what sort of reaction that can bring on.

Jews are smarter because mostly they are Polish!

What a great article. My entry for the next cover story...

PMS: Real medical problem or just an excuse to act bitchy?

You may begin throwing things at me now.

"When we speak about essentialist notions and truly believe they are fact we are failing to recognize an American education system that has been created solely to benefit white and Asian students."

excuse me, how so? - especially for asian students?

I work for Jews.

So I am really getting a kick out of most of these replies.

Some of you guys are very good at making it sound like you know what you are talking about.

But trust me.... You don't.

I think you just want to make yourself sound smart, when in reality you dont know what you are talking about.

This is how bad info gets passed around.

If you dont know about the topic....Dont make yourself sound like you do. Cuz some people belive anything they hear.

cleopatra, your comments are the stupidest thing i've EVER read. no really. EVER.

if you fail to believe that there are true differences between the races then you are beyond help.

take care.

Stephanie--

With a name like "Berger" the rest of us should be happy that a "genius" like yourself would grace us with your presence.

No really.

"Genius."

As in quotations.

Meaning what you said is probably the stupidest thing anyone has ever read.

By the way, I am writing this Anonymously because I work for Jews and we all know you don't like to be told you are just like anyone else.

Shalom.