Nancy Hopkins, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, sat patiently during a speech at the recent National Bureau of Economic Research conference on women and science. All of a sudden she quietly removed her computer from her lap, put on her coat and walked out. When questioned later, Hopkins said if she had stayed any longer, she would've either "blacked out or thrown up."As Hopkins was leaving, Harvard President Lawrence Summers continued his speech about women and science and possible reasons why women are underrepresented in math and science fields.

The central problems many have had with Summers' speech were comments mentioning that innate gender differences between men and women could account for the large gap in representation in math and science professions. While no exact transcript of his speech exists, people from all spheres have come to women's defense and have attacked Summers' statements.

Within days, Summers publicized a letter clarifying the intention of his speech. He does not believe in genetic differences as a factor. The point was actually glossed over in the speech; it was mentioned as a theory some agree with, and then dropped. At the time, Summers took no definitive stance on whether he agreed with this theory.

Summers had every right to say what he did. He should not be attacked for what he said, but should be held accountable for not refuting it more clearly because, as he asserts now, it is in fact unsubstantiated.
Many may disagree with Summers' right to make such comments-because statements like his are exactly what cause girls' achievement in math to decline through their years of education, affecting the as early as elementary school.

However, silencing a voice of opposition is not the way to solve a problem. In this world, there are still people who believe that there are genetic differences which make blacks inferior. This is not a socially acceptable justification for racial gaps, but if the idea is never discussed, it cannot be refuted. Offensive theories still must be raised, and those affected can use them a chance to argue and prove, through grades and scores, that they can do just as well as anyone else.

Hopkins was just as much to blame as Summers when she strode out of the conference. Her actions were a form of protest, yes, but the best thing to do is fight words with words. Arguments need to be attacked and picked apart if there is any chance of disproving them.
The definitive research that has been conducted leads most to agree that past discrimination, lack of encouragement and even ideas Summers mentioned about motherhood all are factors which will affect a woman's choices and even ability to excel in math or science through life.
As mentioned in an article co-written by Brandeis professor Rosalind Barnett, Stanford University psychologist Claude Steele has done many experiments dealing with "stereotype threat," the idea that societal expectations do affect performance.

To prove this, Steele tested black men against white men of the same educational background and achievement level and found that when the subjects believed they were being tested on "learned knowledge" they did equally well.

However, when they believed they were being tested on innate ability to analyze and reason, the black subjects did decidedly worse. This was also the case with Steele's tests between men and women. When tested in unisex rooms, women did worse than when they had been tested separately.

Sex & Power by Susan Estrich also discusses the disadvantages women have in the work force, especially in business. She agrees strongly with Summers' comment that having children will hinder flexibility and will play a large role in whether women are able to succeed.
Freedom of speech is never more important than when unpopular opinions are espoused. Without them there can never be champions of the opposition. Women's causes have been around since Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton's Seneca Falls rally-through suffrage, Rosie the Riveter, Roe v. Wade and the push for equality in the workforce. The point is not to hide from unpopular opinions, but to fight them.

In Stanton's words, "The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls.