Letter To Life Magazine
I am not an Arkansan, but as a member of the human race I resent the supercilious and contemptible attitude manifested in the "Special Report" titled "Evolution Revolution in Arkansas," Life, November 22. Aside from the poor taste in which the article is written, the writers seem to assume that evolution has been scientifically proved. Their reading matter has been too limited. They should be told that ridicule is not proof. It is an old trick but a sorry one.
If space permitted we could quote from no less authorities than Charles Darwin, Herbert Spencer, Thomas H. Huxley, Sir Arthur Keith and many others, to the effect that evolution is an unproved theory. And many intelligent and well informed people who are not religious reject it. And as far as I am concerned, some of my relatives likely hanged by the neck, but it will require more than ridicule or imposing titles to convince me that any of them hanged by their tails.
We would have no objection to this theory being taught in the schools as a theory. In teaching history it is necessary to deal with communism, but I would object strenuously to having our children taught that communism is the best form of government. And I do object to parents being forced to allow their children to be taught that they are only improved animals — glorified cousins of apes.
Life has given much space to the propagation of this theory. Would you be willing to give space to a discussion of both sides of the subject by writers who arc academically qualified? If one can be found who will affirm that organic evolution has been scientifically proved, there are many such men who will be happy to deny it. Some of them in Arkansas.
This would be freedom of press.
— Luther Blackmon, Noblesville, Indiana