Imbeciles

Justice Holmes, shortly after writing the Buck v. Bell decision.

While the science was suspect – a convenient misapplication of the discoveries of Darwin and Mendel – the eugenics crusade succeeded because it was built on a rare alliance between two disparate political movements. The progressives, who wanted to make the world a better place by applying the latest knowledge in genetics; and the conservatives, who wanted to keep American society’s newest and lowliest members in their place.  The two poles of the political spectrum came together in their effort to protect the genetic purity of the “original” Americans of British and northern European stock, producing similar sterilization laws in many states.  As a result of the Buck v. Bell decision, thousands of men and women in similar situations would be surgically sterilized by their respective state governments over the ensuing decades.

With passion and an exacting critical eye, Cohen tells how this popular movement of scientific delusion developed during the early 20^th century and managed to capture the unassuming Carrie Buck in its crosshairs, despite the fact that she was completely innocent of any wrongdoing and was of relatively normal intelligence.  The author provides astute legal analysis of every step of the process, pointedly revealing how completely Ms. Buck’s legal representation failed her and how the entire US Supreme Court managed to leave such a dark and foul stain on its history.  The cruelty, misanthropy and moral immaturity of Justice Holmes is featured prominently, running counter to the usual historical adoration of the man.

In his introductory remarks, Cohen comments on the astounding power imbalance that existed between Carrie Buck and the members of the legal and scientific community who carried out this dreadful act of injustice. He states that it was one of the main things that motivated him to write the book.  It’s easy for the modern 21^st century reader to think that much has changed in the ensuing 90 years.  But as I read the book, I couldn’t stop thinking of the Netflix’s 2015 legal documentary, Making a Murderer, which presents a similar story of injustice with a similar intensity .  Even in the present day, defense lawyers collude with the prosecution when there’s an opportunity to keep “other” people in their place.  If Steven Avery and Brenden Dassey’s story captured your attention, this effectively and powerfully told story is likely to as well.

An honorable account of one young woman’s tragic encounter with the unrestrained power of the legal establishment, Imbeciles sets the record straight, long after the fact.  A victim in so many ways, Carrie Buck deserves to be more than just a legal footnote in history.  Cohen’s thoughtful and comprehensively researched chronicle helps make sure that her story will not be forgotten and provides some well-deserved and long-delayed justice.  Five righteous stars.

— D. Driftless