Slowing down The Other

Everybody's in a frenzy that Usain Bolt of Jamaica bolted his way to breaking two world records at the Olympics. The fastest woman, Shelly-Ann Fraser, is also from Jamaica.

So the Jamaicans are doing really well in the runs. How come? It could be anything from good training to discipline to good infrastructure in Jamaica.

Today I came across an article by Rob Hughes which I felt unfortunately delved into things more than necessary. For example, the reasons quoted in the article for the Jamaicans doing so well included:

"1. Genes

Jamaican neurologist William Aiken theorises that the Africans who made it through the sea journey to the Caribbean were the fittest slaves, and those who went as far as Jamaica and the Bahamas must have been the fittest of the fit.

2. Testosterone

Dr Aiken also sees a link between Jamaicans being fast and the country's high rates of prostate cancer, crime and promiscuity. They all point to 'high testosterone or high responsiveness of testosterone receptors'.

3. Muscle

Some scientists say Jamaicans and others of West African descent have high levels of 'fast-twitch' muscle fibre which is responsible for short, explosive bursts of action.

4. Weather and facilities

The country's good weather makes running pleasant. The Jamaica University of Technology has produced the likes of Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt. The country has also invested in new tracks, better nutrition and better coaching techniques.

5. Discipline

Traditionally strict upbringing instils the required discipline, reports The Guardian.

'I couldn't miss one day in church. My mum and dad still call to see if I'm going to church,' Powell, former world-record sprinter, said of his parents, both pastors.

6. Attitude

'We genuinely believe that we'll conquer. It's a mindset. We're small and we're poor, but we believe in ourselves,' technical coach Fitz Coleman on Bolt's team was reported as saying in The Guardian.

7. Yam and reggae?

'The secret is reggae power,' joked Shelly-Ann Fraser, who led Jamaica's clean sweep in the women's 100m. 'It is definitely the Trelawny yam,' said Usain's father Wellesley Bolt."

(The Sunday Times, Jamaica Bolts ahead, 24 Aug 08)

When I read the article, immediately, the thought of cultural theorist Stuart Hall's (also a Jamaican) concept of "the Other" came to mind - the racial prejudice in focusing in on certain aspects of a non-mainstream object, and exoticizing that object. The first 3 factors of the 7 factors pertain to the genetic and ancestral lineage of the runners, and nothing of the runners' own merit.

How sad. I'm sure the runners trained put in their heart and soul in their training and did not have to rely on their swimming ancestors or amazing testosterone to win the Olympic medal for them. Please lah. Give the runners some recognition.

I also find it bizzare that a Jamaican academic points to genetic qualities for the success of the runners...

I wonder if such an article would have been published if the fastest man and woman were white caucasians.