Black intellectuals for example tend to almost invariably be historians and sociologists and things like that. Quite often from a black perspective too rather then a general one. Whilst I am sure there are black astronomers, on the whole astronomy doesn’t seem to have much of a role in african-american culture. I think that to many blacks because of the socioeconomic position many of them have, it wouldn’t occur to seriously to many of them to become scientists to begin with.

I do really think they should though. I think black america needs to have scientist representatives as succesful rolemodels.

No asians baffles me. That I don’t understand at all. I’d expect them to be there. I can’t see why not. Sure, there’s differences between whites and asians, but they are smaller I think then between whites and other minorities. Unless maybe their like… very traditionalistic asians. Either way though. I dunno… maybe they have their own skeptic meetings or something?

As for the hispanics… Again the socioeconomic thing. But also the strong catholic influence on hispanic culture. And the extended family bonds they have. Skeptics there would not want to speak up so as not to offend heavily religious family patriarchs and matriarchs and get ostracized from their families.

BA: “not the due of just one race”

Huh? Race? You mean that socially develloped concept of categorizing humans without any scientific evidence* whatsoever?

That from your mouth… sorry: keyboard… I am puzzled.

(39, “white”, beard and hair [and skin, occasionally] shaped and coloured according to performance needs)

*AFAIK…

From Europe’s point of view it is shocking how the American (US) culture is so un-skeptic. Whenever we look for examples about people with foolish believes (I mean UFOs, Big Foot, etc…) it is always the credulity of a big chunck of the US population that shocks us. When we are told that there are school boards even considering teaching creationism or other religious pseudo science in the schools… I mean, that only can happen in the US.

I’m Spanish, I’m an atheist but most my friends and family are believers. In Spain most people consider themselves religious (Catholic) but very few believe in the virginity of Maria, and none that I have never met would say that Adam and Eve is something else but a tale, for example (although I’m sure there must be some).

So rather than asking why there are so few black, hispanic, indian… skepticals, you could ask your self what is in the US society that makes most of its citizens believe in Creationism for example.

By the way, I’m 42, white… and yep, haven’t shaved in two weeeks

On diversity, my wife grew up in China where media and news were all controlled by the central government. As a result, she and virtually all of her college friends back in China are raving skeptics about everything they hear from any media source! So, China and countries with similar governments are spilling over the brim with highly skilled critical thinkers.

In my wife’s case, her skepticism is so inate that she would never consider it a conscious thought process, nor would she explicitly identify herself as a skeptic. She finds it very liberating to be able to conduct her own thoughts in this country without anyone telling her what she is supposed to think (recruitment efforts from local chinese language churches notwithstanding).

The ability not to be legally required to entertain thoughts she is skeptical of is her liberation, and that’s all she needs. She would never feel the personal need to show up at a skeptic meeting. (I would likely have a blast at such a thing myself. Oh, well — maybe I’ll “bach.” it someday if they ever have one in Portland.)