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Confessions of a “Scientific Racist:” Commentary on Bird, Jackson, and Winston (2024)

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Author
Bryan J. Pesta

Title
Confessions of a “Scientific Racist:” Commentary on Bird, Jackson, and Winston (2024)

Abstract

Abstract

Here I provide commentary on Bird, Jackson, and Winston’s (2024) recent article as published in American Psychologist (2024). In brief, I argue that that Bird et al. represent activism not science, and that their “recommendations” constitute censorship rather than the fostering of robust and wide-open debate on a topic that is especially critical in the USA: The existence of large and persistent race group differences in human well-being. I conclude that we cannot solve a problem—especially one this important—until we understand what is causing it, and that Bird et al.’s short-sighted recommendations only serve to foment ignorance.

 

 

 

Keywords
and Winston (2024); well-being; race; hereditarianism; scientific racism, Jackson, Bird

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Thu 05 Sep 2024 13:37

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Author has updated the submission to version #2

My overall impression of this text is negative:

1. All too often, you use a plaintive, strident, and sometimes taunting tone: 

"But unless researchers toe the line"

"Bird et al. paint “hereditarians” as ham-fisted incompetents who may also be accessories to mass murder"

"Take Bird et al.’s use of selective citation and strawman to “debunk ...”

“Systemic Racism” (however measured), or “White Privilege” (however measured)"

"persons who claim to be scientists."

It doesn't matter whether the above statements are true. You're not preaching to the choir here. You're speaking to a largely hostile audience, and you have to convince them that you don't correspond at all to the negative prejudices they may have. If you must use strident rhetoric, please leave it to the end, at which point the reader has (hopefully) realized you're not such a terrible person.

2. "Disparities in human well-being are ubiquitous and correlate strongly with skin color." I would simply drop this sentence, since it's difficult to explain the chain of causation that goes from cold environments to higher levels of cognitive ability. A naïve reader will think you're arguing that melanin has a direct impact on intelligence. Moreover, high cognitive ability can develop in tropical populations, like the Igbo of Nigeria.

The use of the word "well-being" is also problematic. "Well-being" is a subjective mental state; it's possible to be materially poor while being happy. The reverse is also possible. Yes, I should know what you mean by that word. But I don't sit on the Editorial Board of The American Psychologist. In these things, it's important to be situationally aware. You should put yourself in the shoes of someone who has heard a lot of negative things about you. It's your job to overcome that bad image.