A Chicago Reader Reminds Us Of An Earlier Abortion Controversy

By VDARE.com Reader

02/11/2011

02/10/11 — When Fighting Cocks Are Illegal, Only Outlaws Will Have Fighting Cocks

From: A Chicago Reader

Re: James Fulford’s article Black Alley Abortions: The Philadelphia Abortion Horror In Racial Context

In his commentary on the black abortion doctor, Kermit Gosnell, James Fulford made the politically-incorrect observation that educating blacks may not necessarily lower their inclinations toward criminal behavior. But in the case of Dr. Gosnell, some people may make the even more politically-incorrect argument that the black doctor helped to lower the rate of black-on-white crime.

Steven Levitt of the University of Chicago published a paper in 2001 [The Impact of Legalized Abortion on Crime ]revealing that abortions carried out by poor women help to lower the crime rate. Former Education Secretary, William Bennett cited Levitt’s research when he said that abortion of black babies would lower the crime rate. That comment caused a storm of controversy. [William Bennett Defends Comment on Abortion and Crime| 'Book of Virtues' Author Says Hypothetical Remark Was Valid, By Jake Tapper, September 29, 2005]

I certainly agree with Mr. Fulford that Dr. Gosnell engaged in unethical behavior. But it is possible that Dr. Gosnell’s career may have helped to lower black-on-white crime rates. Given that those abortions were carried out by black women who sought out a black abortion doctor, whites cannot be blamed for Dr. Gosnell’s unethical behavior. Many pro-choice white liberals secretly cheer on blacks like Dr. Gosnell, who make it possible for white liberals to gentrify formerly black neighborhoods.

James Fulford writes: The Bennett/Levitt thesis has been comprehensively refuted by Steve Sailer:

"My objection to Levitt’s racial eugenic argument is not on moral grounds, but on factual ones. In the real world, the direct opposite of his theory’s predictions actually happened: the first cohort born after abortion was legalized in 1970-73 grew up to be the most violent teens in recent American history,wwith a homicide rate triple the last cohort born before abortion was legalized. Among African-American 14-17 year-olds, the murder rate more than quadrupled."

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