In amongst the regular circulars of seminar announcements and job news, I want to provoke. The news of Jim Watson’s reported statements about race have now caused the Science Museum to cancel an appearance by Watson, on a promotional tour for a new book. No doubt other cancellations will follow.

To cancel Watson’s appearances is to do the wrong thing. I do not advocate unrestrained free speak in all contexts for all people. Not all speak is equal. Shutting Watson down is wrong.

Yes, Watson deserves a forum to state his views, present his evidence and make his case.

Also, this news story has the smell of a media-provoked storm. It’s entirely possible quotes from him were heart-felt and honest. It’s also possible they were poorly expressed versions of views later amplified into a circus as part of the fourth estate’s own need for feeding frenzies. I want to know more from Watson about what Watson thinks on this issue before I know what view he’s expressing. And before we brand someone with one of the worst outcast labels we currently have, we owe them a chance to clarify.

The Science Museum has been foolish to drop his planned address today.

Free societies must encourage debate and reflection. Those with other views should hear what Watson has to say - even if they disagree with him and even if his reported statements sound completely wrong and wrong-headed. The Science Museum has an obligation to foster that discourse and reflection, not to push it off for others to do.

Free societies must encourage not only discussion but also analysis. This is where we academics should step up.

As a person who disagrees most profoundly with - what was reported in the press to be - Watson's views, I see this as a fine opportunity to critically reflect on the categories we use when speaking about people (e.g., "Africans" or “people of colour”) AND to consider the content and value of whatever evidence we have as to the diversity of aptitudes and attitudes related to those statements. It also is a fine opportunity to take a discussion past the storylines of “controversy” and “racism”. Let us move towards more meaningful engagement about our perceptions of similarities and differences, causes and consequences. Stephen Rose headed in this direction on BBC Radio4’s “Today” programme this morning, as one instance.

I take offense at those reported statements. But that’s not enough. To not use such an opportunity to discuss, engage, analyse, and enlighten, is simply to feed the media tiger with ballyhoo and froth. I, for one, expect more from academics and our institutions. Do the right thing: give Watson the microphone. Then think hard about what he has to say.

Joe

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Dr Joe Cain

Department of Science and Technology Studies

University College London

Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT UK

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