New book debunks race science
RACIST science, genetic IQ profiling and the age-old debate of nature versus nurture were at the forefront of a discussion last night at the launch of Gavin Evans’s book, Black Brain, White Brain: Is Intelligence Skin Deep?
Evans, who grew up in South Africa and now lives and works in Britain, engaged in a candid discussion with newly appointed Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Dean of Arts Professor Rose Boswell about the origins of racist thinking, inherent intelligence and the evolution of IQ testing.
The book launch and discussion, attended by about 60 Bay residents, was held at Exclusive Books in Walmer Park.
Evans, who grew up under apartheid, said the concept of racial science had always interested him.
He alluded to the suggestion that economics and wealth also play a role in intelligence, not only race.
“Race science believes that being poor makes one inherently stupid whereas being rich makes one clever,” Evans said.
Dispelling the notion that the culture of poverty leads to lower IQ scores, he said: “If you believe this, there is no point to remedial education.”
In his book, Evans debunks racist science and centuries-old beliefs that Africans are predisposed to being less intelligent than their European counterparts.
He presents various case studies demonstrating that the notion of genetics being responsible for intelligence is untrue.
Anthropologist Boswell said: “It is fascinating to have this kind of book available for anyone to read, especially undergraduate students.”