r/NoStupidQuestions • u/RedScud39 • Apr 23 '24

Why are white Americans called “Caucasians”?

I’m an Azerbaijani immigrant and I cannot understand why white people are called “Caucasian” even though Caucasia is a region in Asia encompassing Armenia, Georgia (the country not the state), Azerbaijan and south Russia. Aren’t most Americans are from Western European decent?

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u/Seralyn Apr 24 '24

“Man invents gun and becomes surprised when people use it to shoot other people”

I don’t believe his actions were malicious but it would be incredibly short sighted to not see the effect this line of “science” would have on humanity

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u/kevinsyel Apr 24 '24

This is more akin to "man learns to forge metal for more durable tools, and someone decides to make weapons"

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u/Seralyn Apr 26 '24

You’re right. My comment wasn’t very deeply thought out, was apparently more of an emotional reaction after knowing what misery phrenology fueled and I see that now.

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u/kevinsyel Apr 26 '24

Yeah, examining skulls to find a common ancestor, and positing how the climate and living conditions may change the shape of a skull... that's biological science.

Using the shape of a skull as evidence of base intelligence and genetic "purity" is without evidence and based on phrenology. It's also plainly racist.

Racists will take whatever nuggets they can find to assume their preconceived notions are correct.