Known primarily as the father of the theory of relativity for his numerous contributions to science, Albert Einstein also made contributions to society when speaking out against racial inequality, Sylvester James Gates Jr., a physics professor from the University of Maryland said.
Gates’ speech Friday focused on Einstein’s lesser-known political and social activities beginning in the 1930s as part of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics lecture series.
"I was shocked to learn that Einstein understood that racism is potentially destructive to society," he said.
Gates began his lectures in 1996 after becoming interested in Einstein’s civil rights work when a colleague asked if he knew what Einstein’s views were on discriminatory practices against blacks.
"I don’t see a focus of study being stressed as important in the African-American community," he said. "European-American identification as the model of ‘American’ needs to be changed, but African-Americans need to answer the question of what is fair to others also."
In his speech, Gates said that Einstein invited singer Marian Anderson to stay in his house when she arrived in Princeton, N.J. to perform and was denied a room in the area hotels.
"Einstein maybe was the greatest hero in the America," Gates said. "He used his notoriety and clout to do real good."
A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Gates said he gained an interest in physics to better understand how the universe works.
"In high school, when I was a junior, my physics professor showed me an equation that explained how a ball rolled," Gates said. "Mr. Coney recognized that I had a gift for physics and math."
A recipient of the first American Physical Society’s Bouchet Award in 1994, Gates has been recognized for his efforts in promoting under-represented involvement and contributions in physics.
In his lectures, Gates said that students should question society rather than accept social norms that are unfair and discriminatory.
"I don’t like giving advice because it puts me in an awkward position," Gates said after his presentation. "But I will say that students should be brave, ask the hard questions of themselves and their mentors and don’t accept manufactured reality."
