Quantcast The Greyhound
College Media Network

Current Issue:

Apology from Economics Department: Remarks by lecturer not representative of department's views

Abstract:
To the Loyola Community:

The officials and members of the Adam Smith Society and the Economics faculty wish to apologize for the insensitive and incorrect remarks made Thursday, November 6 by invited speaker Professor Walter Block of Loyola University New Orleans....

  • Displaying 1 - 19 of 19

Loyola Student

posted 11/12/08 @ 5:43 PM EST

How is it racist to take a position and then back it up with statistics?
Post a reply to this comment

Loyola anti-PC Police

posted 11/12/08 @ 8:58 PM EST

It's a bit ridiculous that the school issued an apology like this. The school pandered to a misinterpretation of his views and ideals. How come none of these people that are claiming they were offended went up to Block after the lecture to discuss in more detail? Why didn't they leave the lecture? His remark about the racial wage gap was qualified by saying that the lack of productivity may exist because of educational differences. The school undermined the legitimacy of his lecture and views with their apology. What happened to academic diversity freedom? This institutionalized hyper-sensitivity inherently restricts that academic freedom. By the way what member of the economics department wrote this apology? Remind me not to take their class.

For further explanation of Professor Block's views read:

http://www.walterblock.com/publications/discrimination_analysis.pd
Post a reply to this comment

Not surprised

posted 11/12/08 @ 9:05 PM EST

Unedited version:

We wish to apologize for the remarks made Thursday, November 6 by invited speaker Professor Walter Block of Loyola University New Orleans.

Professor Block's response to a question about the differences between average earnings of African-Americans and whites in America, which maintained that the disparity could be explained by differences in average productivity, was an opposing viewpoint to our blind allegiance to the "denial of differences" theory, and we are sincerely sorry for it.

It is important to note that the remark was offensive not just because we decided it was racially insensitive, but because it did not come to the same conclusions as the hand-picked studies we choose to believe.

Professor Block's remarks also included comments regarding the source of wage disparities between men and women. We are deeply sorry for exposing you to views that do not follow the party line and the harm they have caused.

In short, other economists are aware that there may be racial and gender differences, and we are striving to stifle any discussions of them. Furthermore, we are united as a department in refusing to accept, or even listen to any opinions regarding gender or race that do not agree with ours.

We appreciate the thoughtful questions and responses we've received from members of the Loyola community, particularly its students, and we look forward to maintaining the illusion of openmindedness on topics of great importance such as this one.
Post a reply to this comment

Ben

posted 11/14/08 @ 2:58 AM EST

If you adjust for IQ the wage gap between blacks & whites actually disapears.

The suppression of debate about group differences continues. This is incredible as not many people deny the theory of evolution. However, clearly groups exposed to different environmental pressures may develop distinct genetic traits. This is clear in terms of athletics.

In terms of academic ability, it is quite clear that Ashkenazi Jews & East Asians, on average, outperform whites.

For example, in Brazil, it is the Japanese who are the highest-achieving group. They were brought in as indentured labourers to work the plantations after slavery was abolished in 1888. Yet, today, the Japanese outscore Whites on IQ tests. Seven studies of Jews in Britain yield a median IQ of 110. In educational achievement, East Asians in Britain also outperform the indigenous Whites. Similarly in Australia, East Asians (mostly Chinese and Vietnamese) average higher than Whites in IQ, educational achievement, and earnings. There are pockets of ethnic Chinese elsewhere in the world such as in Mexico, Argentina, and especially Hawaii, where they also do well.

These results are remarkably consistent over time, place, and situation, irrespective of the original status of the people, or the language, history, and political organization of the country concerned.

By ignoring these factors, we risk demonising successful groups, as happened to the Armenian Jews or Jews in Germany. Also the Chinese in Mayaysia.
Post a reply to this comment

M

posted 11/14/08 @ 4:42 PM EST

Controlling for IQ removes 100% of all wage gaps between all groups of people. Problem solved. Just run the AFQT analysis yourself
Post a reply to this comment

Smack MacDougal

posted 11/17/08 @ 1:50 PM EST

Loyola Maryland is a 100th rate education institution.

It's doubtful that without taxpayers' subsidies, direct and indirect, that Loyola Maryland could remain in business.

Thus, such an indictment stands against the mediocre humans who constitute the staff and administration of such a joke school.
Post a reply to this comment

Alex Knepper

posted 11/17/08 @ 4:52 PM EST

Oh, wow. This is really, really embarrassing.

If the evidence doesn't conform to the original instinct, then obviously it's the evidence that must be wrong, eh? Typical left-wing trash. Clear-headed economics majors, abandon all hope.
Post a reply to this comment

Concerned Student

posted 11/17/08 @ 6:55 PM EST

I agree with some of these comments. This apology comes on the heels of several emails from the Administration and the Student Government Assoc. about "tolerance", the most ridiculous of which was about "offensive" Halloween costumes. It also comes on the heels of the so-called "Unity Pledge", which was an utter waste of time and resources.

One wonders whether the college is rapidly becoming so PC that it runs the risk of self-parody. One of the reasons I came to Loyola was because I knew it wasn't an Ivy League institution: full of itself and overly politically correct. Unfortunately, Loyola has decided upon imitating the Ivy League, and not academically.

Apologizing for guest speakers just because they present a controversial viewpoint will only discourage Loyola from getting intriguing and provocative speakers, which is what the college should strive for. They are stifling academic freedom under the pretext of tolerance and "unity".

Rather than focus on reforming the core curriculum, honors program, and increasing financial aid, Loyola's Administration and SGA waste their time on "hurt feelings". In this economy, students don't give a damn about "hurt feelings". Worrying about such things are a luxury at a time when most students can barely afford the ungodly price we pay to attend this institution, in addition to the exorbitant cost of living on this campus in terms of food prices, assorted fees, and book bills.

It's outrageous how SGA and the Administration refuse, in this economic downturn, to fight for changes on those major economic issues which affect students. Loyola's self-congratulating student leaders and administrators seem only to care about forcing Soviet-style political correctness upon us and labelling everyone who disagrees with them as "ignorant" or "insensitive".

Shame on the SGA and the Administration, and now shame on the Economics Dept.
Post a reply to this comment

student

posted 12/11/08 @ 10:22 AM EST

When you state: "It also comes on the heels of the so-called "Unity Pledge", which was an utter waste of time and resources." DO you actually know what you are talking about? I know a majority of the population here at Loyola are upper middle class white kids who see the Unity PLedge as just a cry for the small minority population whining. And I was no different from you a mere few weeks ago. And since I did not see the need for such a pledge, before I openly ridiculed and belittled such an endeavor by the SGA, I attended the Pledge for Unity Forum in order to better understand what I disagreed with. This Pledge is not what a majority of students on campus think it is. It is not an "oh lets not say racist things because there are about 7 black kids on campus." The Pledge for Unity is a reminder to all of us that we are ONE LOYOLA, and in order to better ourselves and Loyola we need to remember that and we need to realize that we are "all in this together" for lack of better words. The Unity Forum has been one of the most inspirational events I have attended on Campus not only because it showed me the courageousness of the student speakers, but it also showed hope that people care this much in order to start such an initiative. So before you openly belittle such a pledge, please look into it.





Originally posted by

Concerned Student

 I agree with some of these comments. This apology comes on the heels of several emails from the Administration and the Student Government Assoc. about "tolerance", the most ridiculous of which was about "offensive" Halloween costumes. It also comes on the heels of the so-called "Unity Pledge", which was an utter waste of time and resources.

One wonders whether the college is rapidly becoming so PC that it runs the risk of self-parody. One of the reasons I came to Loyola was because I knew it wasn't an Ivy League institution: full of itself and overly politically correct. Unfortunately, Loyola has decided upon imitating the Ivy League, and not academically.

Apologizing for guest speakers just because they present a controversial viewpoint will only discourage Loyola from getting intriguing and provocative speakers, which is what the college should strive for. They are stifling academic freedom under the pretext of tolerance and "unity".

Rather than focus on reforming the core curriculum, honors program, and increasing financial aid, Loyola's Administration and SGA waste their time on "hurt feelings". In this economy, students don't give a damn about "hurt feelings". Worrying about such things are a luxury at a time when most students can barely afford the ungodly price we pay to attend this institution, in addition to the exorbitant cost of living on this campus in terms of food prices, assorted fees, and book bills.

It's outrageous how SGA and the Administration refuse, in this economic downturn, to fight for changes on those major economic issues which affect students. Loyola's self-congratulating student leaders and administrators seem only to care about forcing Soviet-style political correctness upon us and labelling everyone who disagrees with them as "ignorant" or "insensitive".

Shame on the SGA and the Administration, and now shame on the Economics Dept.
Post a reply to this comment

Recent Alumni

posted 11/18/08 @ 10:14 AM EST

As a graduate of Loyola with an Econ degree, I am ashamed of the Adminstration's and Department's response to Dr. Block's lecture. Even if the material was thought the be incorrect, then it should be challenged academically, not emotionally and politically. This is a sin against academic freedom.
Post a reply to this comment

Casey Roebuck

posted 11/20/08 @ 1:14 AM EST

Wow, how about the economic professors that were all butt-hurt attach their names to these allegations of "poor-quality scholarship."
Post a reply to this comment

disgruntled alum

posted 11/20/08 @ 12:05 PM EST

This is an absolute outrage and just another hit on Fr. Linnanne's credibility. Thank God Fr. Hilton had the sense and courage to stand up against his narrow-minded co-workers. My only hope is that Prof DiLorenzo and Fr. Hilton don't face any repurcussions for their objections. Shame on you Professor Walters.

Step up and accept the challenge to debate!
Post a reply to this comment

I love the smell of Social Darwinism in the morning...

posted 11/20/08 @ 12:30 PM EST

Some of these posts almost make me want to heed the call of Rudyard Kipling and take up the White Man's Burden!
Post a reply to this comment

George Edwards

posted 12/07/08 @ 4:33 AM EST

I've been reading about this whole controversy and I think Loyola Maryland really needs to do some apologizing to Dr. Walter Block. Maybe its just me but students have a right to their own opinion... but really??? Do they have a right to their own facts?

If adjusting for IQ (if this is in fact.. factual) makes all disparities disappear then, well, we know life is not race or gender based but IQ based (and by life I mean pay..). I think the student who asked the racially based question is a little more focused on race than Dr. Walter Block was.

What really gets me is this letter. It is not an academic refutation or even a description on how to get academically relavent material. I don't know. I'm with Dr. Block on this one.
Post a reply to this comment

Aaron

posted 12/29/08 @ 5:20 PM EST

What an embarassing situation for Loyala, throwing all academic credibility out the window to save face with the politically correct funding arena.
Post a reply to this comment

Tom

posted 12/29/08 @ 5:22 PM EST

On top of all this, Walter Block is more accomplished and more widely published than the rest of these hacks put together. In addition to his books, Dr. Block has 300 articles in refereed journals. That's more than whole departments at Loyola. And this is the man they're going to insult and smear? What pygmies. (Oops, now they'll have a candlelight vigil on behalf of the pygmies.)
Post a reply to this comment

Javier Ramirez

posted 12/29/08 @ 7:30 PM EST

I don't attend Loyola but I have heard Dr. Block speak here in Houston and have heard many of his other lectures. As a Hispanic and a so called minority if I thought for once that he was being racist I would call him on it. As it is Im still scratching my head trying to find the racist/sexist comments in anything he has ever said including his talk at Loyola MD which he has posted parts of. I love Dr. Block for his penetrating and unforgiving logic and rigor which he presents his positions. It seems these are things that are unwanted at Loyola Md. It seems the overly sensitive pc monitors think they are doing the world a favor. You are not. To the Economics Dept., stop acting like intellectual adolescents and engage in serious debate instead of the typical playground name calling. Its so 70's.

As a Catholic Im embarrased that this institution that supposedly comes from the Catholic tradition is being extremely anti Catholic in its approach to scholarly debate.
Post a reply to this comment

Michael Woods

posted 12/30/08 @ 9:43 AM EST

The letter reads like something out of a Kafka novel... wow. So much for the free exchange of ideas. If Block´s statements were so clearly erroneous, call him back to Loyola and embarass him in a moderated debate.

But something tells me that won´t be happening anytime soon.
Post a reply to this comment

Mark Davis

posted 12/30/08 @ 12:52 PM EST

What about Dr. Block's challenge to debate the issue? The silence coming from his attackers is deafening. It shows that their position is so weak that it dare not even consider the scrutiny of a public forum dedicated to seeking the truth. Any college professor worth his weight in hot air should jump at the chance to put their well thought out views and opinions center stage against so worthy an opponent. That is, of course, unless they are either cowards or liars, or both.
Post a reply to this comment
  • Displaying 1 - 19 of 19

Post Your Comment

  • NOTE: Email address will not be published

Type your comment below (html not allowed)

  I understand posting spam or other comments that are unrelated to this article will cause my comment to be flagged for deletion and possibly cause my IP address to be permanently banned from this server.

Advertisement

Poll

What is your plan for Study Day this Thursday?
Submit Vote

View Results

Advertisement