The Cost of Prejudice

James Watson won a Nobel Prize in 1962 for his work in the field of medicine. Recently he fueled an old controversy. Watson believes the people living in Africa are generally less intelligent.

For centuries people have attempted to link intelligence / humanness to skin color, height, head shape, religion, and geography. These attempts have been discredited.

Yet, some will grab Watson's idea and run. His statements fit their view of the world. Perhaps they feel it gives them a social, economic, or political advantage. They do not want time and resources spent on educating "the unfortunates." In the end their incentive is greed, and they expect a bigger piece of the economic pie.

My response to these folks: "You have got to be kidding!" Your attitudes produce bad policy. Your beliefs result in a waste of scarce, talented human resources. The opportunity costs resulting from prejudice and discrimination are immense.