Anti-immigrant sentiments in the United States have a troubling connection to the discredited and harmful pseudoscience of eugenics. Former President Donald Trump has perpetuated this dangerous rhetoric, suggesting that criminal behavior and other societal ills are genetically inherited.
Eugenics, a flawed scientific theory popular in the early 20th century, promoted the idea that certain traits, such as criminality and poverty, were passed down through genetics. This belief led to widespread sterilizations and even inspired Nazi ideologies during World War II.
Although eugenics has been debunked, its language and ideas still linger in our culture. Terms like “moron” and “idiot” were once psychological classifications derived from eugenic beliefs. Additionally, racial classifications based on genetics have perpetuated division and discrimination.
The ugly legacy of eugenics is evident in Trump’s rhetoric about immigrants “poisoning the blood” of the U.S. and his claims about opponents having “low IQs.” These harmful beliefs echo the eugenic arguments made decades ago to justify discriminatory laws and practices.
Despite the debunking of eugenics, its influence can still be seen in the political landscape today. Trump’s calls for more immigrants from Norway and attacks on immigrants from Haiti are rooted in racist ideologies that harken back to the eugenics era.
The persistence of eugenic thinking in modern society is a troubling reminder of the dark history of discriminatory practices based on flawed science. It is essential to reject these harmful beliefs and strive for a more inclusive and equitable society. As University of California Santa Cruz paleobiologist Beth Shapiro aptly stated, “We are better than this.”
