Around 2004/2005, while attending university in London, I met a Spanish woman who was writing her thesis for her PhD in physics. I met her through another friend with whom I often went for coffee or tea after spending the evening at various salsa clubs. That specific evening, the friend who introduced us was not present, but we went for coffee anyway.

From our conversation, it became apparent that she was very fond of Black people, which, in my view, seemed to hinder her ability as a physicist to make logical arguments. Just for clarity, I am Black, as is the friend who introduced us. The conversation took an unexpected turn, though I do not recall what initiated it. She told me that Black people are genetically superior to White people. Her statement caught me by surprise.

At the time, I was not as informed as I am today on various subjects, but I knew enough to recall the history of a terrible man who caused immense pain and suffering for millions by claiming the same genetic superiority in favor of the White race. We all know who I am referring to. I told her that I disagreed with her statement but did not have the evidence to disprove her claim. Similarly, she had no proof to substantiate her argument other than stating, “I am about to complete a PhD in physics.” I interpreted this as her way of asserting intellectual superiority. Perhaps she did know more than I did, but on this subject, I was confident she did not.

To provoke her, I made a counterstatement, saying, “White people are intellectually smarter than Black people.” She did not take kindly to my comparison and dismissed it as a foolish remark. For the record, I do not believe either statement. That was the last time I saw her.

About two years ago, while living in Luanda, Angola, I reconnected with two Angolan brothers I had known during my 12–13 years in London, where we often partied together. One evening, the younger brother made a statement similar to the Spanish woman’s, claiming that Africans, and by association Black people in general, are stronger. His argument was based on the dominance of African athletes in long-distance running competitions, where they traditionally hold world and Olympic records. He also mentioned the exceptional performance of Black athletes in sports like the NBA and NFL.

I challenged him by suggesting that their success could be a product of their environment. I posed the question: if a White person grew up under the same conditions as these runners, wouldn’t the White person also adapt to the environment? He disagreed.

I then brought up the stereotype that Black people are less intelligent than White people, which he vehemently denied. I argued that if a Black child grew up in a White family—where they had access to good nutrition, were surrounded by intelligent individuals, and received academic support—the child could be just as smart as their White peers. He agreed with this but still maintained that one group is inherently stronger. I concluded that no racial group is superior to another. We are products of our environment. However, he did not fully accept this perspective.

The idea that any racial group is genetically superior to another lacks scientific foundation and is not supported by reputable research. Unfortunately, I frequently encounter Black or Black-sympathizer digital creators spreading the misguided notion of racial superiority based on skin color. The concept of racial superiority has no basis in genetic science. Human diversity is a testament to adaptation and resilience, not to hierarchies of genetic worth.

History, particularly Hitler’s failed attempts to prove racial superiority, should remind us of the dangers of such beliefs. And my final point: let us assume that Blacks are genetically superior to Whites, and also assume that Whites are genetically more intelligent than Blacks. In that case, we all should aim for more interracial marriages, not less, because doing so would create future generations of superhumans.

By Luis de Andrade