Institute for the Study of Academic Racism
Encyclopedia
The Institute for the Study of Academic Racism (ISAR) is an organization that monitors "changing intellectual trends in academic racism
, biological determinism, and eugenics." ISAR states that in this capacity it "acts as a resource service for students, academics, journalists, legislators and civil rights activists." ISAR was founded by Israeli-American professor of history Barry Mehler
in 1993. Professor Mehler continues to direct the institute. The institute maintains an online presence housed by, but independent from, Ferris State University
.
Source: ISAR
such as the late Glayde Whitney
accused Mehler of using what they perceive as 'inquisition-like' tactics in order to discredit controversial scientists such as Raymond Cattell
and Richard Lynn
on what they considered to be nonscientific grounds. Whitney stated that Mehler combats those he accuses of racism primarily through popular rather than scientific channels (for example TV programs, such as Geraldo). Roger Pearson
once accused Mehler of activist Lysenkoism
.
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
, biological determinism, and eugenics." ISAR states that in this capacity it "acts as a resource service for students, academics, journalists, legislators and civil rights activists." ISAR was founded by Israeli-American professor of history Barry Mehler
Barry Mehler
Barry Alan Mehler is a Jewish-American professor of humanities at Ferris State University who founded the Institute for the Study of Academic Racism . He earned his B.A. from Yeshiva University in 1970, his M.A. from City College of New York in 1972, and his Ph.D. from University of Illinois at...
in 1993. Professor Mehler continues to direct the institute. The institute maintains an online presence housed by, but independent from, Ferris State University
Ferris State University
Ferris State University is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1884 as the Big Rapids Industrial School by Woodbridge Nathan Ferris, an educator from New England who later served as governor of the State of Michigan and finally in the US Senate where...
.
ISAR advisory board
- Peter BregginPeter BregginPeter Roger Breggin is an American psychiatrist and critic of biological psychiatry and psychiatric medication. In his books, he advocates replacing psychiatry's use of drugs and electroconvulsive therapy with humanistic approaches, such as psychotherapy, education, and broader human...
, a psychiatrist, and Ginger Breggin, International Institute for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology, Washington, D.C. - Devin Burghart, Director, Building Democracy Initiative, Center for New Community, Chicago, IL
- Jerry Hirsch, Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Fatimah JacksonFatimah JacksonFatimah Jackson, full name Fatimah Linda Collier Jackson is an African American biologist and anthropologist. She is a professor of Applied Biological Anthropology at the University of Maryland and has been teaching there for over 15 years. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors,...
, Professor of Anthropology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD - Joann Koepke, Treasurer, Homes for the Homeless, Austin, TX
- David Krishef, Rabbi of Ahavas Israel, Grand Rapids, MI
- Nick Lowles, Editor, Searchlight Magazine, London, England
- Neil Posner, Sachnoff & Weaver, Ltd., Chicago, IL
- William H. TuckerWilliam H. TuckerWilliam H. Tucker is a professor of psychology at Rutgers University and the author of several books critical of race science.Tucker received his bachelor's degree from Bates College in 1967, and his master's and doctorate from Princeton University...
, Professor of Psychology, Rutgers, Camden, NJ
Source: ISAR
Activities and response
Proponents of eugenicsEugenics
Eugenics is the "applied science or the bio-social movement which advocates the use of practices aimed at improving the genetic composition of a population", usually referring to human populations. The origins of the concept of eugenics began with certain interpretations of Mendelian inheritance,...
such as the late Glayde Whitney
Glayde Whitney
Glayde D. Whitney was a behavioral geneticist and psychology professor at Florida State University. Beyond his work into the genetics of sensory system function in mice, in his later life he supported race and intelligence research and eugenics.-Biography:Whitney was born in Montana and grew up in...
accused Mehler of using what they perceive as 'inquisition-like' tactics in order to discredit controversial scientists such as Raymond Cattell
Raymond Cattell
Raymond Bernard Cattell was a British and American psychologist, known for his exploration of many areas in psychology...
and Richard Lynn
Richard Lynn
Richard Lynn is a British Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Ulster who is known for his views on racial and ethnic differences. Lynn argues that there are hereditary differences in intelligence based on race and sex....
on what they considered to be nonscientific grounds. Whitney stated that Mehler combats those he accuses of racism primarily through popular rather than scientific channels (for example TV programs, such as Geraldo). Roger Pearson
Roger Pearson
Roger Pearson is a British anthropologist, conservationist, eugenics advocate, founder of the Neo Nazi organization Northern League, and publisher of several journals.-Life and work:...
once accused Mehler of activist Lysenkoism
Lysenkoism
Lysenkoism, or Lysenko-Michurinism, also denotes the biological inheritance principle which Trofim Lysenko subscribed to and which derive from theories of the heritability of acquired characteristics, a body of biological inheritance theory which departs from Mendelism and that Lysenko named...
.