The Latest Case of Foot-in-Mouth Disease, or "So that's what he really thinks"

James D. Watson, one of multiple recipients of the 1962 Nobel Prize for deciphering the double-helix of DNA, was quoted as saying, “there are many people of color who are very talented,” he is “inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa.”

“All our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours — whereas all the testing says not really,” The Times of London quoted him as saying.

Dr. Watson gave a statement to the press in which he said, “I cannot understand how I could have said what I am quoted as having said. There is no scientific basis for such a belief.” But the good doctor's publicist, when asked about the comment, merely replied, “You have the statement,” she said. “That’s it, I am afraid.”

That's the first clue about the validity of the familiar "I was misquoted" claim, Sherlock.

Dr. Watson has been suspended from his post as chancellor at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York, “pending further deliberation.” A statement on behalf of the research facility stated that their trustees, administration and faculty “vehemently disagree” with the sentiments of Dr. Watson.

I think some white people (the key word there is some) out there feel threatened. Why else would they try so hard to prove to the world, to the point of trying to prove scientifically, that they have greater intelligence than anyone else? This theory has been disproven time and time again, yet these so-called scientists just keep going . . . just like the Energizer fucking bunny.

Personally, I think this man should retire and go sit in a rocking chair somewhere.

2 comments:

PatriciaW said...

I think he's a sad little man that should be retired.

What worries me is the people who will hear about his remarks in a television sound bite, and with no further research, decide that his comments are now fact.

Have you heard of Dr. Frances Cress Welsing? I came upon her research when I was in high school. She posits the opposite, that white folks are genetically inferior which is the reason they attempt to practice a global white supremacy.

Anyway you slice it, whether it comes from a white man or a sistah, this stuff is vile and divisive.

bettye griffin said...

You're right, Patricia, there will be plenty of people who will accept this statement as fact by virtue of the validity of the doctor's earlier work.

No, I haven't heard of Dr. Welsing, but I do agree that theories of this sort just serve to inflame and divide.

Thanks for posting!