Oxford professor apologizes for 1996 email saying ‘black people are dumber than white people’ and it’s ‘commendable if you get people used to the insult of truth’
- Professor Nick Bostrom wrote an email for an unmoderated forum in 1996
- He posted an apology on his website repeating the “disgusting” email
- He wanted to deal with rumors that comments might be “maliciously framed.”
- Oxford said they “condemn” the views expressed and have launched an investigation
An Oxford professor has apologized for a “disgusting” and “disgusting” email he wrote in 1996.
Nick Bostrom is a Swedish-born philosopher and professor at the University of Oxford who is the founding director of the Future of Humanity Institute.
In 1996 he wrote an email for an unmoderated mailing list forum called The Extropians.
In the email, he wrote that “blacks are dumber than whites,” followed by “I like that phrase and I think it’s true.”
Nick Bostrom, an Oxford professor, wrote in an email: “Blacks are dumber than whites”
The apology Mr Bostrom posted on his website when he wanted to “clean out his own closet”.
In an apology statement posted on his website, Mr Bostrom said “The Extropians” was where people had conversations about “science fiction, future technologies, society and all sorts of random things”.
However, he also acknowledged that there had been “large amounts” of “completely offensive stuff”.
He then went on to say he wanted to “clean out his own closet,” amid rumors his comments might be “maliciously framed” or “used in smear campaigns,” so he repeated the email.
In the 1996 email, Mr Bostrom said: “Black people are dumber than white people. I like this sentence and I think it’s true. But lately, I don’t think I’ll have much success with most people if I speak like that. They would think I’m a “racist”: that I don’t like black people and think it’s fair when black people are treated badly.
‘I don’t. It’s just that from what I’ve read I think it’s likely that black people have a lower average IQ than humanity in general, and I think IQ correlates strongly with what we usually think of as ” clever” and “stupid”. I may be wrong about the facts, but that’s what the phrase means to me.
He released the apology amid rumors that his comments could be “maliciously framed” or “used in smear campaigns.”
‘However, for most people the phrase seems to be synonymous with: I hate these damn nits!!!! … I think it is commendable if you accustom people to insulting the truth, but be prepared that personal harm may come your way.’
A University of Oxford spokesman told Web: “The University and the Faculty of Arts are currently investigating the matter but strongly condemn the views expressed by this particular academic in his communications.
“Neither the content nor the language reflect our strong commitment to diversity and equality.”
Oxford Students’ Union Campaign Chair for Racial Awareness and Equality, Jake Milikan, told The Times that they “stand firm” against any racism and “hope the university takes appropriate action”.
Web has reached out to Nick Bostrom for comment.