Steve Sailer and Ross Douthat both take down William Saletan’s criticism of Bennett.

I would add four points. First, predicting that the next generation of black Americans is likely to have a higher crime rate than the next generation of other Americans does not commit the predictor to the view that there is some genetically based reason this will be true–which is what I take Saletan to be implying. The prediction is perfectly compatible with environmental causes, including the legacy of slavery, although it is also compatible with genetic ones.

Second, Saletan suggests that making the prediction will harm the next generation of black babies by exposing them to stereotypes. The harm of Bennett’s making the prediction seems very marginal compared to the harm done by the underlying fact pattern on which the pattern is based. It’s the fact that black crime rates are relatively high that generates the stereotype, not the (muted) public discussion of it. I would say, however, that predictably causing deep hurt to people’s feelings unnecessarily is something to be avoided. Had the criticism of Bennett been focused on this point, I would not have disagreed with it.

Third: Saletan writes: “Bennett understands the psychological effect of negative assumptions in the context of affirmative action: To suggest that ‘black young people couldn’t get into college unless we gave them points for their race is to be involved in the bigotry of low expectations,’ he argued two years ago. But when the context is blaming blacks for crime rather than helping them get into college, the bigotry of low expectations escapes both his notice and his lips.” The parallel doesn’t really work. Bennett’s underlying point is that affirmative action itself, rather than discussion of it, is a powerful stereotype generator that should be shut down. Presumably he’d like the relatively high black crime rate to end, too.

Fourth: Saletan quotes John Gibson’s referring to “all those arguments white liberals have with white conservatives about abortion, in which the white liberal eventually defends his pro-abortion position by saying, ‘Well, they’ll just grow up poor and be criminals anyway.’” Saletan comments: “Really? I’ve heard a lot of white liberals talk about abortion, and I’ve never heard one of them say that.” I have heard this type of comment a few times over the years, albeit from pro-choice Republicans more often than liberals. Then there’s Nicholas von Hoffman, who is generally considered a liberal (albeit a somewhat unorthodox one). Here he is in Saletan’s publication, corresponding with Barbara Ehrenreich: “Just snuff the little buggers and let’s get on with it. Suffice it to say, you and I agree abortion ought to be legal and if you are pleased to think so because free choice matters to you, you’ll get no argument from me. The bumper sticker on the back of my car reads, ‘CAUTION! THE FETUS YOU SAVE WILL GROW UP TO MUG YOU!’”