Repeat, With Emphasis: Politically Incorrect

"The opinions expressed in this essay do not reflect our values of fairness, trustworthiness and social awareness."

"It is not only our responsibility to spread trusted knowledge, but to also stand against discrimination, injustices and inequity."

Neville Compton, editor-in-chief, Angewandte Chemie, German scientific journal

"In a social equilibrium, preferential treatment of one group leads to disadvantages for another."

"The rise and emphasis on hiring practices that suggest or even mandate equality in terms of absolute numbers of people in specific subgroups is counterproductive if it results in discrimination against the most meritorious candidates."

Essay, Tomas Hudlicky, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in chemistry, Brock University

A German Science journal has retracted an essay written 30-years-ago, but just published, by Brock University professor Tomáš Hudlický which criticizes diversity hiring. (Brock University)

"We are sliding back to Calvinism and burning at stakes. This is absurd. I expressed my opinions and my words were totally taken out of context", responded Professor Hudlicky, of the censorious reaction he is now facing n response to his essay titled 'Organic synthesis -- Where now?' A Reflection on the Current State of Affairs. The piece was written in homage to a scientific article originally published 30 years earlier by Professor Dieter Seebach, now 83.

Out of the mental store of Professor Hudlicky's experience and informed wisdom, he has also -- perhaps somewhat recklessly given the spirit of the times -- written about "preferential" treatment handed out to women and minorities in academic and business staffing. His point being that hiring practices now reflect a time when a candidate's position in a "preferred" social group could override his/her qualifications. A forbidden truth.

The article, published on June 4th, in the journal considered to be one of the world's prime chemistry organs, was withdrawn. As an opinion essay questioning the value of 'affirmative action' hiring, the publisher and the writer's university both hastened to issue public apologies in reflection of the temper of the times. The Angewandte Chemie would be conducting an internal investigation, according to its editor-in-chief who cannot perform enough obeisance to the powers of political correctness.

That the piece had been accepted for publication represented a "clear mistake", for which two of the journal's editors have been punished by suspension. Professor Hudlicky's punishment is that of total rejection -- by his university and by a first-tier scientific journal, when publishing is critical to the career advancement of academics. The provost of Brock University, (located in St.Catharines, Ontario), stated that the paper had included "highly objectionable statements" countering the promotion of equity and diversity with the promotion of academic merit.

Social media for its part, exploded with an immediate backlash, as a chemistry professor at Queen's University sanctimoniously informed the journal she was removing herself from its editorial board: "I am resigning effectively immediately", tweeted Cathleen Crudden, a Queen's University chemistry professor. Excoriation of the professor who had the unmitigated gall to speak the inconvenient truth continued, as 16 members of the journal's international advisory board, inclusive of Nobel Laureates, resigned as they denounced the essay.

Oh, dear! Sincere condolences, Professor Hudlicky, for the ignominy your incaution has engendered.