Researchers believe they have a pill that will defeat the emotion of racism.

Here is a cBS “news” story (Please note the small "c." I think it is a rather clever rhetorical commentary) that seems a little ridiculous,  on its face. First, the headline:     Study Finds Heart Disease Drug Combats Racism

Now the story:

Thirty-six white people were used in the study, with half getting propranolol and the other half getting a placebo. Researchers then used a feeling thermometer to rate how “warm” they felt toward different groups.

Researchers found that the heart disease drug “significantly lowered heart rate.” They also found that there was no significant difference between the propranolol and placebo groups toward religious or sexual prejudice.

“The main finding of our study is that propranolol significantly reduced implicit but not explicit racial bias,” researchers concluded.

Editor’s notes:  here is what stands out to me.  First,  these people have a “feel meter.”   I have one,  “it” is called Mrs. Kathy Smithson.   Secondly,  this is a study that included only white people,  as if the primary race issue is a white problem.  Percentage wise,  there are more black racists than white (and I am talking about percentages,  here) . . . .   why not include blacks in the study?  Finally,  less than 16 people experienced improve race “feelings”  and,  I say “less than 16” because it is doubtful that all medicated “feel good” participants experienced the very same relief.  Medications never affect 100% of the population in the same way.   

In the end,  I think these scientist will discover what so many others already know  -  racism is grounded in a rhetorical history;  change the rhetorical diet and you have [eventually] solved the problem.