Comments on “Is there racism in economic research?”

Mason, Myers, and Darity attempt to determine whether racism exists in economic research. They conclude that racism exists if (a) authors do not attribute socioeconomic inequalities between blacks and nonblacks to racism, (b) black-authored articles are cited fewer times than others, and (c) articles published in a black-dominated journal are cited fewer times than others. Although articles claiming racial discrimination are in the minority, the authors give the impression that racism exists in economic research. Coleman strongly agrees with this impression, citing other authors who have argued the same. I find that these conclusions are unwarranted.