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Students for a Democratic Society, Herrnstein lecture, February-June, 1972

1972-02-25 Daily Iowan Article: 'SDS to 'question' controversial prof'

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DI Feb. 25, 1972 Page 6--The Daily Iowan--Iowa City, Iowa--Fri., February 25, 1972 About 'racist' views SDS to 'question' controversial prof By JERRY DEPEW Daily Iowan Staff Writer Controversial Harvard psychology Richard J. Herrnstein will speak at the University of Iowa today and may be confronted with charges that he is a racist. The local members of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Worker-Student Alliance will demand that Herrnstein answer questions on his recent article "I.Q" which appeared in Atlantic magazine, according to Bruce R. Johnson. 24. Route 4. An SDS flyer calls the article an attempt to "scientifically justify racism." The chairman of the UI psychology Department, Rudolph W. Schulz, said Thursday that Herrnstein's visit is unrelated to this controversial article. Herrnstein is one of several speakers in experimental psychology who will appear here this year, Schulz said. His topic-- "Choice as Behavior and Vice Versa"--is a "technical topic involving discrimination learning in pigeons," Schulz said. Johnson said he and others would "demand that Herrnstein answer questions on the Atlantic article because we think it's more important (than the announced topic). "We have 500 signatures on a petition asking him to discuss the IQ topic," Johnson said. Asked about possible disruption of the colloquium, Schulz said, "We'll have to wait and see if that occurs," but added that it is "definitely an issue of freedom of speech." Commenting on the free speech issue, Johnson said, "Anything that's sanctioned by this system seems to be protected by 'free speech'. In the end, free speech doesn't exist in this country. SDS was denied the right of reply in the Atlantic." "There's a lot of interest in the visit--a lot of people don't like Herrnstein," he said. Johnson refused to predict the turnout for the demonstration. The colloquium is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in lecture room 1 of Physics Research Center, and is open to the public. SDS also have announced it will conduct on racism Saturday in Center East from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Simon J. Piller, 20, 321 South Johnson said 200 persons are expected to attend to discuss freedom of speech, racist ideology, and women's oppression. Johnson said that there will be speakers and film to supplement the workshops.
 
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