The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-02
Liberal Viewpoint
BY DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

MOT in generations has there been a greater
~ exploitation of the myth of inferior races
and peoples than there is at present. Much OF
Hltler's political and religious policy is 1ounoeo
upon an almost incredibly ignorant and vicious
revival of "Aryanism," the most vulgar and pre-
posterous of all racial manias. Now Museum
tells us that he is seeking to bring the blessings
of civilization to what he implies to be the IN
ferior black race of Ethiopia.
Therefore, we may welcome as extremely
timely and serviceable the clear and authorita-
tive little book on "Genetics and the Social Or
der" by Mark Graubard Tomorrow Publishers,
rs cents. d. Graubard is a fellow of the Ma
tional Research Council and a research g~eneticlSt
at Columbia University. His book gives a orle1
and readable review Of all the more fundamental
laws and processes of heredity, and then shows
the bearing of these upon contemporary social
policies.
After Illustrating how scientific biology de-
mOliSheS the assumptions upon which are paSed
the notion of superior and inferior peoples, Dr.
Graubard calls attention to the value OF Russia
since 1917 as a laboratory in which these theories
are also devastatingly undermined in practical
experience. He points out that those national
tiles who were repressed and regarded as in
ferior people under the old czariSt regime have,
since 1917. demonstrated their full equality with
the rest of the Russians.
FURTHER, when the lower and once oppressed
L social and economic classes were given a
chance for an education they appeared to possess
as much intellectual talent as the older ruling
groups of the Russia before 1917:
The building of CLASHES Socialist society in
the area that was known before the revolution
as the Russian Empire has liberated a number of
oppressed nationalities who we're used by czarist
philosophers as illustrations of lower races in
ferior types etc. Having achieved their freedom
when the BolSheviks came to power, these lib
Grated nationalitieS subsequently aided in i'm
/ prOyinp their ppOOOmic and cultural environ
ments. No sooner were these environments
brought to a level where the people were no
longer hampered and suppressed in their devel-
opment, then the real capacities normally latent
within any population came to the fore.
1T so happens that the distribution Of all
capacities observed in the more free and devel-
oped countries were not only the same for the
erstwhile oppressed groups. but were slightly
higher in the latter. Tn difference is due, how
ever, to a psychological factor and not to biology.
Because as an oppressed group they were not
allowed to study certain occupations, the intensi-
fed desire to obtain their rights magnified their
wish to follow the forbidden studies and occupa-
tons. Also. the very act of liberation gave
impetus and added vitality to all artistic and
cultural efforts.
" A S new scientific and cultural occupations
IA were introduced to these liberated nation
altieS, it was found that the poor shepherds,
peasants and workers oppressed for centuries,
contained among them the same number of
biologically endowed poets. physicists, tennis
champions. ~aviatorS, inventors, teachers, etc. as
any other group with 100 or 200 years of indus
trial development behind it. 1t made little diff
ference whether these people had ever heard of
those occupations before. With proper training
and experience their innate capacities Of what
ever nature or degree of skill. came to the fore"
According to DR.. Graubard, the experience Of
the Soviet Union over nearly two decades COM
pletely upSets and refuteS the whole biological
philosophy of Hitler. MusSolini, and their like:
The monumental events in the Soviet Union
prove what geneticists had predicted on analyt-
ical grounds. namely, that external biologic
variations such as skin or eye color, height. color
or structure of hair. shape or thickness Of lips,
etc, have nothing whatever TO do with mental
capacities or general cultural tendencies. Under
imperialiSt rule it was difficult to prove this point
conciusively. because the continuous oppression
of the colonial nations of the 'colored' varieties
did not permit an environment Of free develop
ment."
The bio-psychic factors in the human per-
sonality are presented in clear and popular fash
ion by DR.. John Morris Dorsey in his The
Foundations of Human Nature" Gongmans,
$3.50. The mental hygiene aspect of personality
problems are analysed. in lucid and attractive
style by Prof. Ernest R. Groves in his latest book,
Understanding Yourself Gutenberg, s2.5o)
More occult and mystical, but still interesting, is
Paul Bruntons The Secret Path" Dutton, so,
which tells US how TO unfold the powers of the
mysterious %overself."