In an April 12 Emerald letter, Mr. Baily quoted Paul McHugh’s scientific justification that transgender identity is a mental illness (“Students need to examine science behind transgender”).
I would ask that we remember the Nazi’s “scientific” justification for ethnic cleansing. I would ask that we remember “scientific” justification for female inferiority around the world. I would also ask that we remember scientific racism in America when scientists “proved” that African-Americans and Hispanics were inferior to Whites.
There was even “scientific” proof that the world was flat and that the sun revolved around the earth.
Today, no reputable scientist would support these outdated and tragically bigoted hypotheses.
Perhaps in 20 years, McHugh’s remarks will also become another unfortunate mistake of history, and yet another oppressed group will be able to live without fear and judgement.
–Elizabeth Mounts
Senior