Cambridge professor accused of ‘abhorrent racism’ after calling for a culture of ‘race realism’
A professor who held an honorary post as a research associate at Cambridge University has been accused of “abhorrent racism” after he called for a culture of “race realism” in a blog post.
Nathan Cofnas, a Research Associate in philosophy at Emmanuel College, has become embroiled in a race row after he linked race to academic ability.
He said that in a meritocracy, “blacks would disappear from almost all high-profile positions outside of sports and entertainment” and dismissed racial equality as being “based on lies”.
In a controversial blog post, he added: “In a meritocracy, Harvard faculty would be recruited from the best of the best students, which means the number of black professors would approach 0 per cent.”
Cofnas is also under investigation for his comments by the Faculty of Philosophy and the Leverhulme Trust, which provided him with a research grant.
The blog posts first emerged in February and the college was initially reluctant to let Cofnas go.
Doug Chalmers, master of the college, told students that “we retain our commitment to freedom of thought and expression” and accepted Cofnas’ “academic right, as enshrined by law, to write about his views”.
He added: “Were the University of Cambridge to dismiss Cofnas, it would sound a warning to students and academics everywhere: when it comes to controversial topics, even the world’s most renowned universities can no longer be relied upon to stand by their commitment to defend freedom of thought and discussion.”
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However, Lord Woolley of Woodford, one of the few black heads of an Oxbridge College, accused Cofnas of “abhorrent racism, masquerading as pseudo-intellect”.
Students protested against Cofnas remaining in the college, and in 2022, over 1,200 signed a petition to sack him from his role.
Varsity, the university’s student newspaper, said that Cofnas was informed by Emmanuel College on April 5 that his position would be terminated.
“The committee first considered the meaning of the blog and concluded that it amounted to, or could reasonably be construed as amounting to, a rejection of diversity, equality and inclusion policies,” the newspaper quoted the letter as saying.
“The committee concluded that the core mission of the college was to achieve educational excellence and that diversity and inclusion were inseparable from that. The ideas promoted by the blog therefore represented a challenge to the college’s core values and mission.”
However, now, leading academics have defended Cofnas, writing a letter to The Times stating that they were “dismayed” to learn that the researcher was due to be expelled.
The letter read: “Cambridge University’s initial response seems to us to have been completely correct. Professor Bhaskar Vira, pro-vice-chancellor for education, issued a statement that began: ‘Freedom of speech within the law is a right that sits at the heart of the University of Cambridge. We encourage our community to challenge ideas they disagree with and engage in rigorous debate’.”
The academics said they do not understand the need for an investigation and instead believe those who disagree with Cofnas’ views should issue statements explaining why they believe his ideas are incorrect.
They have urged Emmanuel College to reverse its decision but also stressed that signing the letter does not mean they agree with Cofnas’s views.
It is signed by four academics at Oxford, two from Cambridge, two from King’s College London, one from Chicago, one from Milan, plus Steven Pinker from Harvard and Peter Singer from Princeton.
A Faculty of Philosophy spokesperson from the University said: “The University is fully committed to academic freedom and freedom of speech within the law. We are considering the concerns that have been raised in relation to Dr Cofnas’s blog under our existing processes. These processes are by their nature confidential so we will not be commenting further.”