Are Blacks Too Dumb To Take IQ Tests?
The state of California thinks so. In a 1979 case, Larry P. v.
Riles, substantially upheld by (you guessed it) the Ninth
Circuit, I.Q. tests were held to be a legitimate tool to be used
in assigning students to special education classes � except for
black students. Now comes a black mother of five who is incensed
that the state refused to give her six year old an I.Q. test.
(Link thanks to Kimberly Swygert)
�It�s discrimination, it�s a violation of my son�s civil rights
and it�s racism,� Lewis said. �We�re fighting this all the way.�
Lewis doesn�t deny that the test may have been discriminatory
toward African-American children in the past. She�s just
convinced that the educational playing field is more level today.
�This is closet racism within the school district and the
courts,� she said. �Basically they�re saying if you�re black,
you�re dumb.�
�Some African-American parents may want their child to take the
test, and some may not,� she said. �As a parent, I know what�s
best for my child � not the courts or the school district.�
And, adding insult to injury:
Lewis said district officials told her that if she really wanted
her son to take the test, she should mark him down as a
Caucasian because he is biracial. She refused.