Biologist, Holmes Sherlock, former winner of the Nobel Prize
for Biology and one of the world’s most knowledgeable experts in the field of
DNA. While in Paris, Sherlock was interviewed by a reporter with the newspaper,
Le Monde. He was quoted in Le Monde as suggesting that “people of African
descent are less intelligent than people of European descent.”
Dr. Sherlock was suspended from his job as president of Warm
Springs Laboratory on Staten Island. Immediately after the incident, Sherlock
apologized saying, “I am ashamed of these comments, do not believe them, did
not mean them to be interpreted this way, and don’t believe at all that there
is any scientific basis for them.”
Just a few months before the incident the University of
Chicago decided to award Dr. Sherlock the Distinguished Prize for Lifetime
Contribution to Science. Many are insisting that the president revoke the award
and cancel the following lecture.
But, the university should award the professor; one remark
to a reporter doesn’t remove all his contributions to the science community.
Because of Dr. Sherlock’s response to the article in the Le Monde and his
immediate suspension, I believe that the school should reward the professor
regardless of one reporter’s allegations.
Whether or not Dr. Sherlock actually feels this way, I do
not know. But I do know that when free speech gets in the way of achieving
success we have a problem in this country.
Due to the university’s claim to be a defender of “free
speech” when in 2007, they allowed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to
speak at Columbia University, not allowing one of their own professors to speak
because of alleged controversial civil thinking would only make the university
look hypocritical.
President Ahmadinejad has been frequently criticized in Iran
for his economic troubles and his disregard for human rights. According to Human Rights Watch, "Respect
for basic human rights in Iran, especially freedom of expression and assembly,
deteriorated in 2006. The government routinely tortures and mistreats detained
dissidents, including through prolonged solitary confinement.” And many hold
President Ahmadinejad responsible.
As a student blogger pointed out, “Academic freedom means we
are confident enough to hear from all viewpoints, including those like Pres.
Ahmadinejad and Prof. Sherlock, whose attitudes may be repugnant to civil
thinking. We should allow the lecture to go on.”
As a public relations agent for the university, I would
explain that the decision was made to protect the first amendment rights of
both staff and students. To those who press the matter further I would also
make it clear that the university in no way condones racism on its campus.
