Tavris on ‘Bell Curve’

* Carol Tavris’ comments on “The Bell Curve” are misleading (Commentary, Nov. 9). She states the book is based on a “fatal error,” that genetic variation, which can account for differences among individuals, can also explain differences between groups. She says that blacks and whites are like seeds brought up in different soil (different environments), which “can” explain group differences.

But since blacks were compared to whites of equal socioeconomic status, she must conclude that the children of black doctors, lawyers and professionals are exposed to environments as detrimental as that of a ghetto. She says cultural groups differ “in a zillion ways,” but does not present any evidence to show there are sufficient environmental differences across the socioeconomic spectrum; her argument boils down to a mere assumption that such environmental differences have to exist because she dislikes the alternative.

JOHN LAMONT

Chatsworth

* I did agree with Tavris when she stated “cultural groups differ in a zillion ways that can affect performance on IQ tests.” Certainly, if there were IQ tests given for each ethnically diverse group that were specifically prepared, detailed and written by individuals from that same ethnic group, the results would be a better indicator of the IQ of a person from within the cultural group.

I do believe “The Bell Curve” is based on a fatal error of bias and that the genes dictate individual differences. Can we rid our country of the old, prejudicial, biased IQ tests and implement a new and improved test that can truly represent the intelligence of all races?

CHERYL A. NALLS

Inglewood

* Tavris’ analogy between tomato seeds and people is interesting but, unfortunately, somewhat oversimplified. For, continuing with her tomato seed analogy, we might note that the seeds in one hand differ physically from the seeds in the other. Those in one hand are darker than the other. And their facial features are different. And they run faster and jump higher. And they’re susceptible to at least one disease which the lighter seeds aren’t. Might they not be different in some less obvious ways as well? Intuition suggests the answer is, “likely.” Perhaps one of those less obvious differences is intellect. Perhaps not.

Do I consider this an important question? No, I don’t. I think that I, along with the rest of your readers, can successfully live out the rest of our lives without ever having an answer to this question. But the important point is that those of us who even ponder the existence of such racial differences are quickly labeled “biased.” Too bad, but our society’s thirst for political correctness stands in the way of the search for truth.

WILLIAM S. BIRNBAUM

Costa Mesa