The Charter of the United Nations is based on the principles of the dignity and equality inherent in all human beings. On January 4, 1969, the United Nations "International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination" entered into force. The charter defines "racial discrimination" as "any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life."

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Racial Discrimination Ruled Unconstitutional
The 1969 UN Charter would seem to be a step forward from the 1951 ruling in "Oliver Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas" where the Court found "no willful, intentional or substantial discrimination" in Topeka's segregated schools. Appeals followed and it was only in 1954 that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, finally, that segregation was unconstitutional. The story of this landmark ruling began when the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) launched an attack against the 1896 ruling that "separate but equal" is constitutional. In its systematic assault on this doctrine the NAACP cited many examples of how segregation is detrimental, including the 1940's "doll test".

The Effects of Segregation on Black Children
During the 1940's Kenneth B. Clark and his wife, Mamie P. conducted a series of tests investigating the effects of segregation on black children. The results of the "doll test" were published in a paper for the 1950 White House Mid-Century Conference on Children and Youth. In the doll test, black children between the ages of three and seven were shown baby dolls identical in every way apart from skin color. They are asked to identify the race of each doll and to indicate which doll they preferred. The majority of black children selected the white doll and attributed more positive characteristics to the white doll. This, and other evidence, induced the Clarks to conclude that, "prejudice, discrimination, and segregation" caused black children to develop a sense of inferiority and self-hatred.

Racial Discrimination in the 21st Century
That racial discrimination still exists is not in question. Whether we like it or not, we are prejudiced. This is highlighted by the Implicit Association Tests discussed in a previous column. Sad but true. However, have we at least encouraged a sense of equality and self-love in individuals of a given race? Apparently not. Kiri Davis, a 17-year old high school student repeated the Clark tests recently on a group of 21 young black children in New York. The results? Fifteen of the children preferred the white doll and attributed more positive characteristics to the white doll. It is disturbing to watch the video and see a young black girl indicate that she prefers the white doll, the white doll is nicer, the black doll is bad--and then see her consternation when Kiri asks, "And which doll is most like you"? It seems the seeds of racial discrimination are planted early.

I'm not planning to offer some cute explanation relating to EQ and SQ quotients. Take the EQ SQ tests, by all means, but they won't tell you anything about racial discrimination. Discrimination on the grounds of skin color is illogical and unfeeling. Skin color tells you nothing about a person's abilities or beliefs. Nevertheless, the systemizer in me wonders what the results would be with a group of white children.

I'm not sure I would like the answer.

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About the author

Katrina Boydon is a systemizing female with empathizing traits. She is as likely to be found crying over a sad film as balancing her bank account to the last cent.