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E-mail sparks a furor over race at Harvard Law

E-mail|Link April 29, 2010 06:39 PM

By Tracy Jan and Martin Finucane, Globe Staff

The dean of Harvard Law School is condemning an e-mail sent by a law student suggesting that black people could be genetically inferior to white people.

"Here at Harvard Law School, we are committed to preventing degradation of any individual or group, including race-based insensitivity or hostility. The particular comment in question unfortunately resonates with old and hurtful misconceptions," Martha Minow said in a letter to the Harvard Law community.

In the lengthy e-mail, first reported by the egal blog abovethelaw.com, Stephanie Grace, a third-year student and an editor on the Harvard Law Review, wrote, "I absolutely do not rule out the possibility that African Americans are, on average, genetically predisposed to be less intelligent."

Grace sent the email to two friends several months ago to clarify her opinion following a private dinner conversation about affirmative action and race, a source familiar with the events told the Globe. The email was leaked and posted on several websites this week.

Minow called it a "sad and unfortunate incident" and said, "We seek to encourage freedom of expression, but freedom of speech should be accompanied by responsibility."

Minow also said she was heartened by an apology written by the student.

"I am deeply sorry for the pain caused by my email. I never intended to cause any harm, and I am heartbroken and devastated by the harm that has ensued. I would give anything to take it back," Grace said in an apology obtained by the Globe that was sent to several members of the school's Black Law Students Association.

"I emphatically do not believe that African Americans are genetically inferior in any way," she said.

Grace has not responded to a request for comment.