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Help all reach their potential

March 3, 2005

LAWRENCE Summers's carefully couched denials are a rhetorical device, and his reasoning is based on pseudoscientific assumptions and research. Those who point out these shortcomings are accused of stifling open debate in the academy. The real issue is whether biological differences can even be detected in an era such as ours where pervasive, subtle discrimination is indeed the norm. Acknowledging the existence of such discrimination does not amount to a culture of victimhood. Rather, we need to address issues such as unfair treatment and stereotyping.

The goal should be to help everyone achieve her or his potential in fields as exciting as math, science, engineering, and technology. The technological edge in society relies on all of us contributing our full potential.

MIRIAM LEESER
Boston
The writer is an associate professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering at Northeastern University.

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