Psychology Today: Apologize for publishing a racist and sexist article

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    Psychology Today: Apologize for publishing a racist and sexist article

    Psychology Today recently published an article claiming it to be scientific fact that Black women are less beautiful than women of other races.  The article was flawed from top to bottom -- it was actually opinion masquerading as science, written by someone with a track record of using pseudoscience to promote discredited racist and sexist ideas.

    Psychology Today needs to apologize, explain how this happened and how they plan to make sure it won't happen again. Please join us in demanding that they do.

    Below is the petition we'll send to Psychology Today editor-in-chief Kaja Perina on your behalf:

    Here is the Petition:

    Dear Ms. Perina ,

    I was disturbed by your journal’s decision to publish "Why Are Black Women Less Physically Attractive Than Other Women?" by Satoshi Kanazawa.  An apology is owed to your readers and to Black women, and I would like to understand how this happened, what steps Psychology Today will take to make sure such irresponsible endorsements of dehumanizing pseudoscience doesn’t happen again.

    The article in question posited as fact that Black women are less attractive than women of other races and ethnicities. But it’s clear that the post was actually an opinion piece written by someone known to promote racist and sexist ideas. That Psychology Today, which is regarded as a credible source of information about mental health, would publish such stereotype-driven propaganda is shameful. I also find it alarming that you would remove the post from your site but not admit your obvious error.

    Please issue a public apology, explain how a damaging opinion piece masquerading as science made it through your journal’s editorial process, and explain what you intend to do to make sure your audience isn’t again subjected to efforts to promote the belief that Black women -- or any other group -- are inferior based on false science.

    Thank you,

    [Your Name]