Katharina M. On Gould, Du Bois, Biological Determinism and Affirmative Action

The question of races and racism has always been a highly controversial one. Especially 20th century America is packed with reforms, progress as well as setbacks when it comes to liberate society from the self-made concept of racism  ̶  one of the worst effects of what some scientists may refer to as biological determinism. In The Mismeasure of Man Gould takes position by stating that the idea of biological determinism as an excuse for racism should be no excuse for racism at all. W.E.B. Du Bois on the other hand, was one of the great defenders of equal rights for both black  ̶   himself having been born as a black man  ̶  and white men, though, in his essay Of the Training of Black Men he defends the idea of ‟Negro Colleges” for black people only.

On first glance, this idea seems  highly contested if not even racist itself; though, having a peek at the time described, it is to mention that education among black people was not exactly common. Education among black people was not uncommon because they did not want to be educated but because the issue of racism was widely spread. So the idea of having a Negro College to give educational access to black people suddenly seems to be the necessary implication, does it not? In order to have (white) people, who, for all their life, have been thinking that black people are genetically inferior, change their minds for the better, one must present living proof that black people are indeed capable of being well educated. Du Bois called this living proof of educated black people the Talented Tenth; ‟exceptional men” who will both achieve equal education for everyone and function as role models for other African Americans.

Whether or not biological determinism will ever vanish, racism hopefully will vanish into thin air. Biological determinism itself is a concept which, to some extent, might actually even be helpful; there certainly are some naturally smart people, some who can study well or learn things by heart very well, and others who have not been gifted with brains  ̶  all of which is perfectly fine but certainly has nothing to do with the outer appearance of a person. For example, quick learners and slow learners could be educated separately so that quick learners do not get bored in class and the slower ones do not get frustrated and give up studying entirely. Actual affirmative action policies on the other hand, might end up rather negatively; if a woman gets the job just because she is a woman, even though the man applying for same job has the exact same qualifications, that might have the same discriminating effect as the man getting the job just because he is a man. I think affirmative action is a great idea to help minorities to get rid of certain labels, though, I also believe that affirmative action should not be carved in stone but red-flagged.

By Katharina "Kaddy" Mirow