Adam Rutherford and Elijah Lawal Interviewed by Stephen Law

Science broadcaster and researcher Adam Rutherford and writer Elijah Lawal discuss how to challenge racial stereotypes and how to respond when we see others using them.

Stereotypes and myths about race are not only expressed by the openly racist. Even the well-intentioned can find themselves sliding into negative stereotypes about race that are both unjustified and damaging. The appeal to science to strengthen racist ideologies is on the rise – and increasingly part of the public discourse on politics, migration, education, sport and intelligence. How can we prevent ourselves accidentally embracing such views, and how should we respond when we come across others expressing them?

Rutherford’s latest book How To Argue With A Racist: History, Science, Race, and Reality explains how stereotypes and myths about race can be challenged using science. Rutherford was part of a team that first identified a genetic cause of childhood blindness. He has written and presented many award-winning programmes for the BBC, including Radio 4’s Inside Science.

Lawal’s book The Clapback: Your Guide To Calling Out Racist Stereotypes arms readers with the tools to shut down racially offensive, backhanded statements, protect themselves and others and put the offender in their place, quickly, using humour, historical context, and detailed research. Lawal is a PR manager at Google and is passionate about helping underrepresented people grow their careers in creative industries. He was a finalist of the Penguin WriteNow scheme, which aims to find, mentor and publish new writers from communities under-represented on the nation’s bookshelves.

Discussions are chaired by Dr Stephen Law, a philosopher and academic, author of bestselling introductions to philosophy for adults and children, and editor of the Royal Institute of Philosophy Journal Think.