Race: an absurd classification

This is a recording of William McCord, associate professor of sociology at Stanford University, author of “Origins of Crime,” speaking on “Race: an abused classification,” in which he explains the biological characteristics that designate race in twentieth century Homo sapiens and suggests that the African American is not a race but a caste. McCord then goes on to give a summary of anti-racist arguments. The lecture is followed by a question-and-answer session. McCord wrote Psychopathy and delinquency (1956) with his wife, The origins of crime (1959), and The origins of alcoholism (1960). This is the sixth in the series of ten lectures delivered by distinguished professors from around the nation on African Americans’ struggle against poverty, ignorance, and prejudice, and contributions to American culture during a ten-day seminar sponsored by the UC-Berkeley Extension Service.